Functional Synergy:

The Power of the Rotator Cuff

May 5, 1:00 PM -3:00 PM MDT

This training will be recorded and available for unlimited review
CEU’s are avaialble

A 2-Hour Professional-Level Workshop For Yoga Teachers & Movement Professionals

Who Want to Understand the Rotator Cuff, Refine Shoulder Cues, and Support Real Recovery Through Whole-Body Integration. (long time yoga students are also welcome to attend)

You know the shoulder is complex… but sometimes it still feels like a mystery.

You’ve cued all the right things:

“Blades down.”
“Open the chest.”
“Shoulders away from the ears.”

But your student still feels pinchy in Down Dog.

Or you still feel achy after practice — even though your alignment looks “right.”

You’ve tried rotator cuff exercises —
The bands, the isometrics, the scapular work.

They help… but not enough. Something still feels off.

Your student gets frustrated.

You feel unsure.

And you wonder if maybe you’re missing something.

Here's the Truth: The Rotator Cuff Doesn’t Work in Isolation.

And neither should we.

When we try to fix the shoulder by zooming in too closely, we miss the bigger picture —
The one where the cuff is supported by the blade,
which is influenced by the ribs,
which are driven by the spine,
which respond to the pelvis, hips, feet, and breath.

This isn’t about more exercises.

It’s about understanding how the pieces work together.

So why a deep dive into the rotator cuff?

Because rotator cuff injuries are among the most common, persistent, and confusing shoulder issues — especially in yoga and movement-based practices.

The cuff is:

Small and stabilizing — often overridden by bigger, louder muscles
Sensitive to overload — especially when function isn’t fully restored
Deeply connected — to the scapula, ribcage, spine, hips, feet, breath, and nervous system

Which means isolated exercises will only take you so far.

To truly help the cuff recover, you need to help the whole system coordinate.

How This Helps You as a Teacher or Movement Professional

Understanding the rotator cuff changes how you teach.

It helps you support students in pain, see movement more clearly, and teach in a way that bridges science with experience.

In this workshop, you’ll learn how to:

Support students with shoulder pain — without flaring symptoms
Modify for hypermobility, post-surgical recovery, or chronic pain
Spot subtle compensations beneath the pose and adjust your cues accordingly
Blend strength, breath, and nervous system regulation into therapeutic sequencing
Teach pain science in a way your students actually understand and apply

This is about going beyond “shoulders down and back” — and into real, effective, whole-body movement education.

I am your instructor - Susi Hately, BSc. Kinesiology, C-IAYT Yoga Therapist

Founder of Functional Synergy | Creator of the Therapeutic Yoga Intensive

For over 30 years I have been helping people get out of pain through therapeutic applications of biomechanics and yoga— and teaching yoga and movement professionals how to do the same. My approach blends kinesiology, yoga therapy, biomechanics, and nervous system integration in a way that’s clear, practical, and deeply effective.

Two of my programs have been studied at a University level, demonstrating significant benefits for well-being. I am also the best-selling author of Anatomy and Asana: Preventing Yoga Injuries. Since 2001, I have been training yoga teachers and health professionals in yoga therapy and am the lead teacher in the highly successful C-IAYT Accredited Functional Synergy Yoga Therapy Program.

I created this workshop to help you go beyond isolated isolated cues and repetitive drills – and into the real-world application of what the rotator cuff needs to heal and thrive.

This Workshop Is for You If:

You’ve had students (or yourself) with persistent shoulder pain — and rehab hasn’t fully worked
You’re unsure how to reintegrate load-bearing poses after injury
You’re tired of cueing the shoulder blades and hoping for the best
You’ve seen too many students push through pain in Chaturanga, Plank, or even Tadasana
You want a practical, integrated approach that respects the nervous system and the whole body
You love learning and want to build your confidence when working with pain

Now, let’s dive into what you’ll learn

This 2-Hour Workshop Will Help You:

Understand how the rotator cuff functions — and why it’s so vulnerable to overuse
Recognize where yoga helps and where it hinders recovery
Spot subtle compensation patterns that stall progress
Refine your cueing to enhance function, not force alignment
Rebuild load-bearing capacity with coordination, not tension