ChoreogrAsana: Sequenced Yoga Flow Classes

By Melanie Kiss

ChoreogrAsana: Sequenced Yga Flow Classes is a book containing 20 yoga classes, designed primarily for the individual use of those have practiced yoga and are familiar with the basic terminology of the asanas. 

Each choreographed class begins with breathing techniques, warm up, asanas to asanas flowing from one posture to the next, like the current of a river, until you wind down towards the end of practice.

All those wishing to strengthen and improve their practice, not just for themselves but for teaching classes as well, will find this book as a useful tool to facilitate the transmission of this practice to others.

Diving into the world of yoga beyond, as well as through, the asanas is the goal of this journey resulting in, peace of mind, invigoration and full awareness of the body.

There are a number of different breathing techniques provided, as each yoga class is sequenced in a different manner and postures as the next. With this book, you yourself will be off on a mind clearing journey that will enhance your yoga practice and beyond.

May it bring you peace, connection and love!

• Language: English
• Publisher: Publishdrive
• Release date: Mar 20, 2019

Book preview

Foreword

The birth of this book began during my time in Cabarete, Dominican Republic, where I lived, breathed and taught Yoga. But as life throws curveballs, plans and directions sometimes get put on hold. With a sprinkle of determination, a dash of time, a snippet of hope, and a fur child’s love, I put my passion to paper and finished with a grateful heart.

To use this book, each class builds on the next, but in no way shape or

form must you go in order. In fact chaos and disorder can be our greatest teachers. Perhaps one day you sit, close your eyes and decide to listen and allow your body to choose the class for your practice!  

Begin by choosing a breathing technique that fits your mood and situation. Whatever feels right for you, is usually what your body needs at that moment. There is no maximum of time you should be doing the breathing technique, just so long as you practice or work towards your set intention, which can include, simply just being in the present moment and connecting or to reducing your anxiety. It could be just quieting down the overactive mind. Yoga helps distinguish between the self and the mind, creating a separation between the two. The realization of this space allows you to live mindfully and with consciousness.  Living in this light gives you the freedom to know that you are not your thoughts or your mind, nor are you controlled by them. But rather it is a part of you and that you always have a choice to listen to it, act on its perceptions or allow it to create your future through believing it. Let your breath open up your practice to the asanas, the flow of energy and the life of yoga.

As you turn the pages, be sure to listen to your body while taking part in your practice. We are all created different and some postures might not feel right that day or perhaps look different from what it should.  Just remember that yoga is NOT about perfection or even flexibility. The depth of Yoga goes beyond the physical body and into the quantum field. It is about that third part of us that seems to be so forgotten these days… the spirit, the energy, consciousness. Getting past the physical to the mind and then beyond the mind. It is about the breath, the connection and being one with the universe, a whole other realm of being. So listen to your body if a pose is not in your practice at this moment in time, skip it or do a variation of it. Know the difference between pain and discomfort and feel what your body is trying to tell you. Your body WILL speak to you if your mind is ready to listen.

Using straps and blocks during your practice can greatly enhance it. There are days I wish to hold postures longer and focus more on form then depth. Certain positions require you to start with blocks in order to work your way up to the full posture.

Better indeed is knowledge than mechanical practice. Better than knowledge is meditation. But better still is surrender of attachment to results, because there follows immediate peace.  -Bhagavad Gita

Depending on the length of each posture it could take you half an hour or an hour and a half to go through a class. If you are practicing alone, let time be non-existent. Hold each posture until you are ready to transition on to the next. If you are teaching a class then adjust accordingly. Whatever your time frame, be sure to focus on the breath and your body so you can be brought into the present moment through body/breath awareness.

Focusing on the breath during postures is one of the most important things. Inhale one movement, exhale another movement. While holding postures, breathing deeply and consciously in and out is a great way to hook your attention back to the body, back to the posture, and back to the present moment. I personally enjoy ujjayi breath, naturally lengthening the breath during practice, but you are free to choose the breath of your choice- what may work for one, might not for another.

An important aspect in practicing the postures is your focal point called drishti. Each posture has a different drishti. It is a point of gaze, a certain non-moving object you focus on during the posture. But it is not merely a spot you choose to look at on the floor for example. It goes beyond the eyes, beyond the outside world. It is