This class builds slow and steady into a challenging practice. Switching things up a bit, we start not with Sun Salutations to create warmth, but with focused breathing, sustained holds, and specific drill work to set the foundation for postures to come.

From there we move through a series of abdominal strengthening movements (push-ups and plank variations) which I’ve found to be instrumental in developing greater power in my midline. On to standing poses as we aim for more opening in the hips and legs.

Single-leg deadlifts make an appearance next. You might be thinking, “But that’s not a yoga posture,” (and you’d be right); but after nearly two decades of practicing, the addition of some more strength-based elements in my traditional yoga practice have enabled me to find a kind of muscular steadiness that had long been absent. (Pro-tip: if you’re super comfortable with single-leg deadlifts and you have a small dumbbell or kettlebell around your house, feel free to use it instead of a block!)

We then take a foray through essential balancing postures on our way to Vasisthasana, or Side Plank—where we put all the things that came before together into this peak pose. Practice concludes with a series of seated hip-opening postures and forward folds.

Don’t be shy about taking this practice more than once. The sequence is designed to be repeated again and again, and you can take whatever variations are best for you on any given day.

See you on the mat,
B