Going upside down can be scary. When we build strength in our body we build strength in our mind. We build courage, confidence, and stamina.
While strengthening the muscles, we are strengthening our willpower and our determination. Our ability grows, and in doing so, compassion for ourselves, sensitivity, and awareness also grow.
Think about when you were a child, doing cartwheels, handstands, and somersaults. This was called play and it came naturally, it was fun! It brought a sense of exhilaration and excitement where we naturally breathed deeply.
When we approach inversions with this mindset, this curiosity, and aliveness, we allow the opportunity for positive breakthroughs to happen.
Think about anything you want to learn. We are required to study, practice, and discipline ourselves to see what is working and what is not, make corrections, and then continue. It’s in the continued practice of specific and intentional action that our mind is able to develop an understanding of what needs to happen.
Progress is incremental and comes through a series of small wins.
Just like building a home, we start with preparing the ground in yoga. This is the surface on which you will practice. Next is laying the foundation using the right materials, exact calculations to determine the correct mixtures.
When we put the structure up, we must pay close attention to the alignment so that the building is strong and sturdy. It’s the same in yoga, we pay attention from the ground up.
We focus our awareness so that we have the support required starting from the base.
There is a liberating feeling that can be realized once we are able to experience the lightness that comes from being able to stand tall in an inversion.
Asanas in this class
Adho Mukha Svanasana ( Downward Dog Pose )
Uttanasana ( Standing Forward Bend Pose )
Tadasana ( Mountain Pose )
Ardha Vrksasana ( Half Hand Stand Pose )
Eka Pada Vrksasana ( One Footed Hand Stand Pose )
Adho Mukha Virasana ( Downward Facing Hero Pose )
Baddha Hasta Uttanasana ( Dangling Pose )
Ardha Pincha Mayurasana ( Half Feathered Peacock Pose )
Pincha Mayurasana ( Feathered Peacock Pose )
Ardha Salamba Sirsasana ( Half Head Stand Pose )
Salamba Sirsasana with Chair ( Head Stand Pose with Chair )
Baddha Konasana in Sirsasana ( Bound Angle Pose in Head Stand )
Upavista Konasana in Sirsasana ( Wide-angle Foot in Head Stand )
Setu Bandha ( Bridge Pose )