This week’s Sunday School is devoted to Astavakrasana (Eight-Angle Pose), breaking down three unique entrances into the arm balance: from the seat, entering via Koundinyasana, and entering by jumping into it from Down Dog. Two blocks will be useful for students new to the last two entrances.
Get ready to open the side body and hamstrings in this week’s Intermediate practice centering on Svarga Dvidasana (Bird of Paradise). Students who struggle to connect a full bind outside the hip will benefit from the use of a yoga strap or hand towel in this practice.
We’re exploring Samakonasana—your middle splits—in this week’s Sunday School. Prepare to feel like a pancake.
Hamstrings play an important role in hip extension (straightening the hip) and knee flexion (bending the knee), which means they cast a long shadow over everyday activities—from standing up out of chair to walking or running. Balancing hamstring strength with (often-overdeveloped) quadricep strength is also essential to preventing injury. This practice requires the use of socks (or gliders or magazine for those practicing on carpet) and one or two blocks.