This is a slightly shorter and perhaps more diverse sequence than we might usually do at this level. It works on the ‘sequencing of actions’ rather than classical groupings or sequences of poses. The aim here is to get certain actions to happen in one Asana, and then find that same action in another Asana that seems at first sight different, but is still similar in key principles.
This is more of a slow, flowing sequence, and it is a bit briefer than usual at about 1 hour 20 minutes.
We start off in Supta Virasana and then come up for Virasana Forward.
From here stand for Uttanasana, and take a few moments to really bring your focus to the feet and the back of the legs.
Step back into Adho Mukha Svanasana, with feet together, taking one leg back and up, and change.
Step forward for Parsvottanasana, hands to the floor, arms extended forward. Then change.
Step back to Uttanasana, and take one leg back for Urdhva Prasarita Eka Padasana. Change sides.
Adho Mukha Vrksasana, going up first with the most familiar leg, and then change to the less familiar leading leg and go up again.
A four-part set of Asana-s to find the action of the leading leg buttock and the opening of that inner thigh: Utthita Hasta Padangusthasana 2, Ardha Chandrasana (back foot to the wall), Supta Padangusthasana 2, and then from Adho Mukha Svanasana go into Vasisthasana 2.
Parsvakonasana, to find the bend of the leg, to prepare for Bhujapidasana from Uttanasana, feet apart.
Now move into Prasarita Padottanasana, taking the hands back past the feet, palms facing up. Compare this to Upavistha Konasana, as you walk the hands forward. Now go into Kurmasana, arms extending back.
Finish this section with Tittibhasana, noticing the opening required at the back of the legs, especially just under the buttock creases, and then observe how the full extension into the feet helps stay up in the pose.
Virasana and Parvatasana, to lead into Krounchasana.
Follow this with Eka Hasta Bhujasana, Baddha Konasana, and then go into Asta Vakrasana. The leg work is as important as the arms.
Stand for a short series of repetitions of: Tadasana, Urdhva Hastasana, Utkatasana, Uttanasana, and back to Tadasana. Be creative and change what order you do these in, repeating a good number of times.
Tadasana and Baddanguliyasana to lift the side chest, the centre of physical energy.
Today go into cross bolsters instead of Sirsasana, to open the chest and take the back ribs in, after the balancing work.
Then set up for Setu Bandha Sarvangasana to open the front body, spread across the diaphragm, and bring you opening and restoration in general.
To finish, some quiet and restful forward bends: Simple Cross-Legs Forward to the bolster, Janu Sirsasana with head support, and Paschimottonasana with head support.
Finish in Savasana.
Illustrated sequence of video
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Video stills from this sequence
