Back Arches & Forward Extensions, Culminating in Viparita Karani
This session looks at the fulcrum-like position of the sacrum in back arches and forward extensions: are they opposites of each other, mirrors to each other, or parts of the same continuum? Explore the beautiful relationship playing out in our body, culminating in supported and deeply restful viparita karani. Level: Experienced Beginner, Intermediate Duration: 90mins […]
Deskworkers Antidote – Part 1 of 2: Unfreeze Hips, Keep Shoulders Mobile
This session is part of a series of classes to strengthen the legs, align the hips, keep the groin area (the hip flexors) soft, and move the shoulders and upper back – in other words, an antidote to sitting on chairs for long hours. This session focusses on moving the hips (and the shoulders) in […]
Ribs, Shoulders, Quadriceps, Breath: The Front of the Body in Back Arches
Back arches are categorised as ‘purva pratana sthiti’ (expansion of the frontal plane) in Sanskrit. This session explores the involvement of the frontal plane of the body as we prepare for back arching Level: Experienced Beginners Duration: 50 mins. Props needed: yoga strap, a couple of blocks, one blanket
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 […]
Beginner Back Arches Practice Part 2: Urdhva mukha svanasana, Chatuspadasana, Purvottanasana
The second Part of the Back Arches Series at the Beginner/ Experienced Beginner Level looks at urdhvamukha svanasana, chatuspadasana, purvottanasana. This can be done as a stand-alone session, but we recommend doing the session Beginner Back Arches Part1: Strengthening Arms, Shoulders and Legs to Prepare for Back Arches, before attempting this session Level: Beginner/ Experienced […]
Arm Extensions that Lead to Success in Forward Bends
This session starts with a lot of arm-work – first done in isolation; and then incorporated in standing asanas. This gets us ready to attempt forward extending positions. Although this session can be done as a stand-alone session, we recommend that you do it along with the session Varied Arm Actions that Lead to Success […]
Receiving Quietness and Support From the Wall: Abdominal Engagement
These set of sessions facing the wall have a calming effect on the nervous system. They are also preparation and orientation for the classical prone positions that are greatly beneficial for respiratory health. While not a menstrual practice, this session is supported, and relaxing. It is, therefore, also suitable to be done during normal menstruation. […]
Standing and Inverting to Complement Back Arches
This is an intermediate level class that involves energising backward extensions. In this session, back arches are interspersed with standing and upside-down positions that complement the backward-arching actions. Level: Intermediate Duration: 80 mins. Props required: a sturdy chair, a couple of blocks, one strap, stack of blankets for sarvangasana, halasana
How to Approach Stiffness in Hips
Stiff/ ‘tight’ hips, are connected to lower back pain, wearing out of the hip socket, arthritis of the knee, menstrual discomfort etc. and therefore do not realise the importance of flexibility in hips. Once stiffness has set in, re-gaining flexibility might feel like an impossible feat. But it can be done through consistent effort. This […]
Simple Practice for Immunity Enhancing
A combination of active asanas, is followed by supported positions that are to be held at least for a few minutes each. While the asanas in this session are not complex, for the longer stay in some of these asanas to be effective, some familiarity with these asanas is required. Level: Experienced Beginners Duration: […]
