Asana Filter: Supine

Savasana is the most commonly known resting pose.  But savasana might not be suitable for resting in many situations. In Iyengar yoga, there are many modified supine asanas that unlock the restorative potential of your practice. These supported variations offer deep rest and rejuvenation, making them ideal for therapeutic purposes. Even in a healthy state, including these asanas in your practice provides a profound sense of relaxation and facilitates a meditative state of mind.

Introduction to Supta Baddhakonansana

Building up on the active work done in rolling the thighs out, we continue to one of the most accessible restorative positions: supta baddhakonasana, including the use of simple ‘props’ to support this position. This is one of the essential positions that women should know for reproductive health. Breath studies (progressing to pranayama) are often […]

Twist with Ease

Twists done gradually and gently where they feel more like turning and revolving, rather than ‘twisting’. Done like this, they have a very different effect on the physiology and the psychology. Poor video quality alert! apologies about the poor video quality in the first half hour of this recording. Level: Experienced Beginners, Gentle Duration: 60 […]

Extending Forwards and Backwards from Seated Virasana: Adhomukha and Supta Virasana

Virasana, and its extensions into supta virasana, are excellent conditioners of lower limbs. Supta virasana is often used therapeutically for a wide range of conditions, and is also a preparation for back arches. Difficulty in virasana can be due to limitation at the hip joint, length of the hamstrings, stiffness in the knee, shortness and […]

Extending from Virasana: Adhomukha and Supta Virasana Ending with Breath-work

In this session, we look at forward extension from virasana to adhomukha virasana, and a supine extension to supta virasana. The session ends with breath-work preparatory to pranayama. Level: Experienced Beginner, Intermediate Duration: 75mins Props required: this is a prop intensive-session. blankets and bolsters – or alternatives will be required. This session is part of […]

A Quiet Practice to Pacify Acidic Stomach

Acid reflux, and the associated symptoms of heartburn, occur as a result of the acidic digestive secretions in the stomach making their way into our food pipe (oesophagus).  This session looks at the principles of adapting our Asana practice to deal with acid-reflux. This recording is part of the Short Course The Practice for Digestive […]

Gentle Cooling Practice for a Hot Day

A combination of supported standing asanas, twists, and forward extensions, ending in breath-work in supine positions  This session is ideal to be done on a hot day for a cooling effect. Duration: 45 mins. Props needed: a sturdy chair, a stack of blankets

Hip Health: Balancing Flexibility with Firmness

Stiff/ ‘tight’ hips, are connected to lower back pain, wearing out of the hip socket, arthritis of the knee, menstrual discomfort etc. To maintain the overall health of the hips, it is important to include many kinds of hip actions in our practice.  Asanas like baddhakonasana and supta baddhakonsasana, upavistakonasana and padmasana, are often referred […]

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