Try something new
Yoga gives me the bravery to try new things. Something that can seem terrifying or impossible when initially presented (see Tree Pose backbends in sequence, for example), are so much fun that I wonder what else I'm not giving a shot at that would end up being something I love/benefit from. Even when I try, try again, and don't exactly "succeed" per se (um, handstands off the wall?), the joy is in the journey. This lesson comes so often, with such compelling force, in the studio, that I'm being forced to take it home with me. It's a good kind of being forced. I feel more confident, less scared, and, as mentioned, braver.
Try something new
So here's my prompt for the day: Try something new. Whether it be something in this sequence, or walking up the stairs using a different foot first, teach your brain a new trick. This sequence is full of poses and sequencing that I hadn't done before, but am so so glad I did. The quick succession Upward Bows, the Boat/Inversion mixes, the backbends. It was great for me, and the day feels good.
- Sukhasana (Easy Pose)
- Fold forward over bent legs
- Change cross of legs, fold forward again
- Taking hands behind you on floor, chest opener
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog Pose)
- Downward Dog hip openers, lifting one leg and then the other
- Step through to low lunge
- Parsvottanasana (Intense Stretch Pose)
- Virabhadrasana I (Warrior I Pose)
- Parivrtta Virabhadrasana I (Revolved Warrior Pose). Gentle twist until warmed up
- Virabhadrasana I
- Vinyasa to repeat steps 5-11 on other side
- 4 Sun Salutations, A or B (or a mix)
- Step through to low lunge
- Taking both hands to inside of foot for Yajnasana (Cross Pose) prep
- Come down onto forearms for deeper hip stretch
- Pivot body to Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle Pose)
- Baddha Parsvakonasana (Bound Side Angle), trying to interlace fingers around torso, or grab wrists
- Baddha Trikonasana (Bound Triangle)
- Trikonasana (Triangle Pose)
- Virabhadrasana II (Warrior II)
- Vinyasa to repeat steps 14-21 on other side
- Bring your back about a foot from the wall
- Vrksasana (Tree Pose)
- Inhaling in Tree, take your arms up in the air, exhale to slight backbend, bringing your hands to the wall to use it as a support for your backbend. Hold for 3-5 breaths
- Tadasana (Mountain Pose)
- Baddha Vrksasana (Bound Tree Pose)
- Repeat step 25 for Bound Tree Pose, accentuating the feeling of stretch and lengthening in the side body
- Tadasana
- Repeat steps 24-29 on other side
- Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana (Standing Splits), using the wall to come deeper
- Uttanasana (Forward Fold), using wall to come deeper
- Repeat steps 31 and 32 on other side
- Still using wall if needed, come into Adho Mukha Vrksasana (Handstand). Hold for 5 breaths
- Come down, going quickly into Urdhva Navasana (Upward Boat), holding for 5 breaths
- From Boat, going into Forearm Stand
- Repeat step 35
- From Boat, going into Sirsasana (Headstand)
- Repeat step 35
- Garbasana (Child's Pose)
- Inhale up to Urdhva Dhanurasana (Upward Bow). Hold for three breaths. Come out, hold for one breath. Come back in bow for three breaths, out for one. Repeat one more time
- Ananda Balasana (Happy Baby Pose)
- Savasana