Tools for Yoga Sequence Building

The practice of westernized yoga generally focuses on learning and performing the various physical postures or poses. Yoga sequencing is merely the method used in moving from one pose (asana) to another to achieve the objective of the session. In practice, after opening with a warm-up, you alternate between easier poses and more difficult poses and then finish the sequence with a relaxation pose. Yoga pose sequencing then is a means of varying the intensity from beginning to end of the session by selection of poses of varying difficulty.

Yoga Pose Sequences

There are many different ideas about how to sequence a yoga workout but no one knows your body as well as you or what your body needs and thus no one is in a better position to determine yoga sequence building for you than you. This important principle is explained very well by Esther Ekhart, a yoga teacher with 15 years of experience, in her short video presentation, Create Your Own Yoga Sequence. A variety of helpful resources exist to help you with yoga sequence building.

Yoga Pose Sequence Resources

Especially useful for the beginner is the step-by-step Yoga Posture Index found at Santosha.com. The index contains a comprehensive list of poses by Sanskrit names and English translations. Beside each pose there is a difficulty rating provided for easy reference. Each pose is provided in link format. Clicking a link takes you to a page with complete information on the pose including detailed instructions, tips and illustrations.

Learning and mastering each asana is only the beginning of a yoga pose sequence. Next you must determine how to put together a selection of poses to produce an effective workout tailored to your particular needs. Yoga Journal.com offers a unique, interactive yoga sequence builder that will help you plan effective yoga sequencing. This resource features beginning, intermediate and advanced poses. It even allows you to save and share the yoga pose sequences you build.

Esther Ekhart also maintains a website, www.yogatic.com, an on-line resource with free yoga video and illustrated yoga poses that everyone from beginner to advanced should find helpful.

References:

1. Ekhart, Esther. "Create Your Own Yoga Sequence". Kurt Nimmo.com. December 30, 2009 .

2. "Step by Step Yoga Poses". Santosha.com. December 30, 2009 .

3. "Yoga Sequence Builder". Yoga Journal.com. December 30, 2009 .

4. Ekhart, Esther. Yogatic.com. December 30, 2009 .