Boy can yoga classes get stuck on a Warrior Flow. It’s a great story, if you haven’t Googled Hindu Mythology Virabhadra Warrior Flow. So if anyone tells you it’s “a friendly warrior”, nope. However – we hit these familiar poses – always facing forward over and over again. Change it up by flipping a pose to the back of the mat. Yoga Theme: Continue Forward.
I love taking a yoga class to the side of our mat and to the back of our mat. Moving about rather than facing forward the entire class. This really engages the brain as well as working on ankle mobility.
Take a few of these regular poses you’re already doing and take them straight to the back of the mat!
For example, you can flip your Side Angle (Parsvakonasana) from right foot forward up through Star to left foot back of mat (Side Angle – Parsvakonasana ). A giant windmill of movement right from one to the next.
The same with Reverse Warrior (Viparita Virabhadrasana). Right leg forward on mat, switch-a-roo, left foot forward back of mat. Same pose – just switch it to mirror back of the mat.
A quick flip from front of mat to back for just a pose, then return back to the front to Continue Forward. Hey! That’s the theme of class!! See how easy it is to incorporate the theme throughout class rather than saying it once at the beginning?
Be sure to repeat those words“let’s Continue Forward” once you’re back to the top of your mat. Add in the rest of your flow. For this theme, you want majority of the theme facing forward after you did the quick switch back.
Just adding a quick stop to the back of your mat is an easy way to add a little variety into class. No crazy transitions into poses that are not accessible for everyone. This is great for a Gentle Class (nice and slow), Slow Flow, Vinyasa, etc.
A theme is amazing when it is repeated. Even better, a question asked at the end of class. A time set aside for Svadhyaya. The fourth Niyama, Self-Study. I always want to incorporate something more in my classes than just an Asana practice. I ask questions before Savasana.
Do you feel stuck looking back? Where off your yoga mat are you ready to Continue Forward?
Yoga is not just a banger sequence. It’s offering something that will resonate long after the class is done.
from my mat to yours ~
Stef
If you’re looking for more yoga themes – check out my Teach This Theme posts.