Chris Morehead on Intelligent Movement, Backbends & the Problem with “Try My Flow” Culture

Before Chris Morehead arrives in Prague for his residency at Zen Den, we wanted to sit down and talk about all of the things that shape his teaching—intelligent movement, consistency, his deep understanding of backbends, social media yoga culture, and the deeper reasons we practice in the first place.

Chris teaches in a way that feels both highly technical and deeply human—embodying the same kind of tension you need to practice well. There’s precision and structure, but also patience, humility, and a willingness to stay inside what feels challenging long enough to actually learn from it. His classes aren’t about performance. They’re about building a relationship with your body that is sustainable, intentional, and honest. Below, Chris shares some thoughts in his own words.

But before we get to that, Chris and Piper go way back. Way, way back... Years ago, Chris was actually one of Piper’s students at the Chicago studio she co-owned at the time—long before either of them could have imagined bringing things full circle in Prague all these years later.

If you ask her, she will tell you. She noticed him immediately. Not because he was the most advanced student in the room, but because of the way he practiced. Curious. Focused. Fully present. Somewhere between classes, trainings, and years of teaching, a friendship and deep mutual respect formed. In a lot of ways, this residency feels like a continuation of a conversation that’s been unfolding for a very long time.

ZEN DEN: What does intelligent movement mean to you?

CHRIS: Intelligent movement is purposeful, adaptable, and efficient. It is movement that is directed toward a certain goal or purpose.

Every practice doesn’t have to be a dance or performance. In fact, I think that teaches us to avoid what feels challenging or uncomfortable.

ZEN DEN: What is something people focus on too much?

CHRIS: How dance-y or intricate the flow is and whether they got their workout in. I really hate the “try my flow” trend happening on social media right now, ha. Every practice doesn’t have to be a dance or performance. In fact, I think that teaches us to avoid what feels challenging or uncomfortable. I love a good vinyasa flow, but I’ve learned there is more value in holding postures instead of rushing out of them. Finding the balance between strength and flexibility in our bodies and mind.

ZEN DEN: What is something they don’t focus on enough?

CHRIS: Consistency and repetition… whether in our asana, pranayama or meditation practices. We can’t learn to balance on our hands or create stronger backbends by taking a couple of classes a week. We have to find programs that keep our practices consistent. Advancing our breathwork or meditation practices without that same level of commitment, will be impossible as well.

If the teacher doesn’t understand or fears backbends… their students will too.

ZEN DEN: Why are backbends often misunderstood?

CHRIS: I think the yoga industry has created the misunderstanding not only with backbends but with a lot of asana. If the teacher doesn’t understand or fears backbends… their students will too. We’ve taught practitioners to associate sensation in our backend immediately as pain and danger, and not simply just sensation or tightness so instead of working them into our practice, we will avoid them.

However, I've also noticed teachers just throwing back bends into their classes all willy-nilly. If we’re teaching backbends, our class should be focused on backbends. That means our warm-up should be focused on strengthening our core and glutes and opening the shoulders and hips. Cool down should focus on re-strengthening our core, gentle twists, and forward bends. We shouldn’t be throwing wheel or natarjasana 20 minutes into a hamstring or twisting focused class, or doing a standing back bend every time we come up from a forward fold. We’re just setting people up for injury and failure.

I make you sit in what feels challenging on a physical, mental and emotional level

ZEN DEN: How would you describe your teaching style in one sentence?

CHRIS: HA! I don’t think I can… There’s definitely a flow haha, BUT I also make you sit in what feels challenging on a physical, mental and emotional level. The movement is just a hodgepodge of everything I’ve learned from all of my teachers and I have to give them credit for where I’m at today. This includes my yoga teachers as well as my flexibility and hand balancing coaches. Some of it won’t feel or look like “traditional yoga” but is probably what has made my practice and body stronger over time.

ZEN DEN: What is something people might not expect about you?

CHRIS: I think people are often surprised, especially when they meet me in person, that I am a farmer and equine enthusiast. I have five horses, a few cows, tons of chickens and I love it! When I’m not teaching, I actually work as an equine hoof care provider—and in a lot of ways it compliments my yoga practice and teaching.

There’s also something special about this residency beyond the classes themselves. Chris is coming to Prague through a long friendship and teaching relationship with Piper. What started as curiosity slowly became devotion. Chris spent years refining his practice through patience, repetition, and consistency. Over time, he evolved from student to teacher, eventually becoming a teacher trainer, mentor, and leader in the yoga community. Along the way, Piper and Chris built a friendship that grew far beyond the teacher-student dynamic. Together, they later created and led a deeply impactful 300-hour teacher training during the pandemic, guiding students across continents through one of the strangest and most uncertain periods of life.

There’s something beautiful about relationships like this in yoga — the way roles evolve over time. Teachers become colleagues. Students become teachers themselves. Everyone keeps learning from each other. Watching Chris grow into the teacher he is today has been one of the greatest joys of Piper’s life as a teacher, and we’re incredibly excited to welcome him to Prague for the very first time.

Chris will be teaching open classes and workshops throughout the week as part of his residency at Zen Den Yoga Prague. Expect intelligent movement, strong foundations, thoughtful sequencing, and the kind of teaching that stays with you long after class ends.

Learn more + book here:

Chris Morehead Residency — Zen Den Yoga Prague