This Is Yoga Foundations Guide
WEEK ONE: YOGA ORIGINS & RIDING THE WAVE OF THE BREATH
What is Yoga? We dive into the history of yoga and explore yoga as a way of harnessing energy and attention. Starting with the breath as the key to opening the body and calming the mind, we link arm movements and explore the energy awakening the body through the pulse of the breath. This is an introduction of what is to come through the foundation series with a well-rounded slow vinyasa sequence that explores a diverse range of postures and offers gentle modifications.
WEEK TWO: STANDING FOUNDATIONS
How do we build solid foundations? With more attention on the breath our attention is refined inward and here we discover the power of the legs and the grounding of the feet through pada bandha. From this sense of grounding energy can then rise. Building strong physical foundation with steady focus, each pose built from the ground up and the body is now in the path of last resistance. we can stand tall with awareness of our spinal health.
WEEK THREE: SUN SALUTATIONS
What does it mean to salute the sun? Here we access the energy fi the sun and invite this warmth into our body through conscious vinyasa. Body, mind and soul become part of our practice and we move as is in meditation. We break down the component parts of Surya Namaskar to awaken the light within and build our internal fire and victorious breath.
WEEK FOUR: WARRIORS FOR STRENGTH AND FOCUS
How can we re-invigorate our energy? Warrior poses build more internal heat and develop strength in our legs with dynamic focus. Finding balance between effort and ease, steadiness and calm, warrior poses remind us that we are, we can and we will.
WEEK FIVE: BALANCE & SERENITY
How can yoga help bring us back to balance? Here we learn that balance breath brings balance to the mind. Presence comes from being grounded in the moment, aware and attentive to the breath and body. We transition between poses with confidence and a calm sense of clarity.
WEEK SIX: TRIANGLES
What are the three most important elements of our yoga practice? Body, mind and breath are now in harmony, not that there were ever meant to be separate. Now that we understand the grounding and rising through the strength of our legs, we can feel the expansive quality move beyond the body in triangle pose. Our practice starts moving into the hips and energy is directed through the spine in order for healing to best happen.
WEEK SEVEN: HIPS & HAMSTRINGS
How well do you know your hips? They say your hips don’t lie and that your hamstrings are the body. Now that we have understood the expansive energy in our practice, in this week we will dive in to forward folds, lengthening the hamstrings and the spine. Our attention is honed, and our hips are explored to further encourage spaciousness.
WEEK EIGHT: WORKING THE SPINE
How well do you really know your spine? The spine is the ket to good health and posture. Here we learn the importance of spinal alignment and create space between the vertebrae through spinal twists. Twisting increases mobility and flexibility of the spine and helps invigorate the body’s systems with vitality.
WEEK NINE: BACK BENDING
Are you opened up to the world around you or do you find yourself closing off? Now that we have created space in the spine and the hip joint complex, we are ready ton explore backbends. As most of us are now spending a lot of time on phones and computers, it important to open up the shoulders and chest and re-invigorate your energy again.
WEEK TEN: CORE FOCUS & INVERSIONS
Can you fell what we have cultivated through our foundational series? This week er bring it all together and fire up our core power. Finding strength, confidence and calm to see that world with new perspectives. We work the body with intelligence and attention, finding renewed vitality and confidence to flow with grace.
