I’m digging this Vinyasa flow right now. Feel free to follow along. It takes anywhere from 20 minutes to an hour. Repeat as you like.
Here’s a nice summary of the typical Vinyasa sequence (plank, to chaturanga – lower down, to up dog, to down dog). This is power yoga, so get ready to sweat. And don’t forget to breathe. I remind you periodically below. This is broken up into parts to make it easier to read. Make sure you take at least one full breath in each pose.
Start.
- Standing
- Flow down to Forward Bend
- Half-way lift
- Vinyasa flow (see link above)
- Right leg lifts, then forward lunge, breathe
- Back to plank, then your vinyasa flow, and repeat on the left
Next flow.
- Right leg lifts, then crescent lunge (arms up), breathe
- Lean forward, arms go to your sides (airplane)
- Warrior 3, breathe
- Standing splits, breathe
- Down to warrior 1
- Chaturanga and your vinyasa flow, repeat on the left
Next flow.
- Right leg lifts, then crescent lunge
- Stand up on right leg, bring your left leg up and bent
- Straighten the left leg out in front, breathe
- Cross left leg and put left ankle on right knee – one legged chair pose
- Back to standing, forward bend, halfway lift, Vinyasa flow, repeat on the left!
Next flow.
- Right leg up, hold, breathe
- Knee to nose, hold, breathe, leg back up
- Knee to outside of right elbow, hold, breathe, leg back up
- Knee to outside of left elbow, hold, breathe, leg back up
- Knee to nose, hold, breathe, leg back up, then down dog
- Vinyasa flow and repeat on the left
Next flow.
- Right leg up, lunge forward, back foot flat, warrior 1
- Open to warrior 2
- Arms over head, then clasp behind your back
- Bend forward to humble warrior, breathe breathe breathe
- Vinyasa flow, repeat on the left
Next flow.
- Right leg up, crescent lunge
- Straighten legs, nose to knee
- Alternate bending and straightening front leg, nose to knee
- Straighten both legs and turn to face the left side
- Turn legs out, bend your knees, breathe, hands to heart center, hold for a minute, breathing, yes it burns
- Straighten your legs, hands to waist, fold forward, roll up
- Back to front of the mat, Vinyasa flow, repeat on the left
Next flow.
- From down dog, move forward to plank
- Move to side plank on the left
- Raise your right leg, hold (optional – you can just stay in side plank)
- Half pidgeon (right leg is bent) for a rest, breathe here
- Back to plank, repeat on the right
- Child’s pose
Cooldown.
- Roll onto your back
- Boat pose, hold
- (Optional) – lower and raise your legs 5 times in boat
- Lay down, knees to chest
- Straighten left leg, twisting right leg over, look right (shoulders remain on the floor)
- Repeat stretch on the other side
- Chavasana (relaxation)
That’s my favorite routine. If you do it quickly you will end up sweating. Use your breath to make this a true workout. Questions, comments? What’s your favorite pose? Mine is humble warrior.
If there’s enough interest I can write out a pose guide for this. Let me know.
December 19, 2008 at 4:19 pm
this is SO awesome!! I don’t think it’s hard to follow at all if you’ve done yoga- i just want someone to read it aloud so i can do it
My fave pose is Pigeon (if that is where- one leg is bent at right angle in front of you, back leg stretched straight back??) Or any pose that reaaally stretches your hips!
December 19, 2008 at 4:24 pm
I LOVE VINYASA ROUTINES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
As someone who does yoga every single morning, I DEFINITELY would like to see more routines/guides!!
**My favorite pose = twisting half moon.
December 19, 2008 at 4:37 pm
You should do a yoga tutorial video!
December 19, 2008 at 4:51 pm
Sounds… incredible! Do you teach private classes?
December 19, 2008 at 4:58 pm
I agree with Meghann! You should do a video!
My favorite pose: I have no shame, it’s child’s pose! But after reading Caroline’s comment I realized that pigeon is a pretty good one too!
December 19, 2008 at 5:07 pm
carolinebee – yep, that’s it! I love pidgeon too. maybe i’ll make an mp3
Danielle – no! but I might think about it. I’m considering getting certified.
December 19, 2008 at 5:52 pm
Oh man I really want to get into yoga! I think it would be so good for me. I haven’t yet though, so I don’t have a favorite pose- yet!
*chanting* vide-o! vide-o!
December 19, 2008 at 7:50 pm
my favorite asana is head stand
it took me almost a year to get them!
December 19, 2008 at 8:16 pm
Very cool! Thanks for sharing. Oh, I love so many poses and go in stages. Right now I am loving pigeon and dancer’s pose.
December 19, 2008 at 8:35 pm
i manage to sweat during yoga more than cycling class. i think it’s because you have to stay in a pose for a while and it’s uncomfortable. i like the challenge though. my favorite post is corpse pose!!! hehe
December 19, 2008 at 8:47 pm
Wow, thanks for sharing!! I’m definitely going to look into yoga more!
December 20, 2008 at 3:05 am
Wow! Thanks for sharing!
Hmm.. as someone who is interested in getting into yoga, how do you recommend I introduce myself to it? Through a gym class, a video, or private session? Thanks
December 20, 2008 at 7:22 pm
Love this!!! Vinyasa is my favorite style of yoga…I crave the classes and when I can’t go I enjoy Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga dvd at home. Thanks for sharing!!! I personally love dancer’s pose, and also runner’s pose (as Kest calls it…not sure if it has a more official name) because it releases all the tension in my hips and bootie…