Yoga self practice – sequencing ideas

In my previous blog post, I discussed why Yoga self practice matters so much. Below are some of my favourite sequencing tips and ideas to help you begin building your own Yoga self practice.

Yoga self practice – top sequencing tips and ideas

1. #### Keep it simple
2. #### Keep it playful
3. #### Let your breath be your guide
4. #### Include your favourite Asanas
5. #### Keep it balanced
6. #### Move like no-one is watching

1. Keep it simple

When you are just getting started, make your yoga self practice straightforward. Leave challenging backbends and inversions for sessions with your usual teacher.

My piano teacher always said that unlearning something is far more difficult than learning it properly the first time.

2. Keep it playful

Approach your Yoga self practice with a sense of play. Provided your alignment is correct, there is no further right or wrong: Yoga self practice is about connecting with your body.

Listen to your body, explore different movements and enjoy yourself!

3. Let your breath be your guide

As I mentioned in my previous blog post, I paid very little attention to my breath when I first began my Yoga self practice journey. During your Yoga self practice, focus on both your inhalations and exhalations.

There is no need to match anybody else’s pace but your own, so use this time to explore your breath properly!

4. Include your favourite Asanas

What asanas do you most enjoy in your usual group yoga classes? Balancing poses? Standing poses? Seated poses? Or perhaps even inversions?

Add them to your regular Yoga self practice to help keep you motivated.

5. Keep it balanced

Ensure that your Yoga self practice offers a healthy balance of forward folds and backbends. Your practice should contain more backbends than forward folds.

Baby cobra, cobra and locust variations are backbends, and they provide valuable warm-up choices and progressions.

Spend several minutes warming up and stretching your body. A few rounds of Suyra Namaskar are the best way to do this. Rather than simply stretching, incorporate strengthening movements too, such as side plank, planking or supermans.

Similarly, finish your self practice with cool-down movements, including a few supine twists and glute and hamstring stretches.

6. Move like no-one is watching

Keep in mind that this is YOUR yoga self practice, and sequencing is about discovering what your body needs. Enjoy it: you are free to move in whichever way you choose. Different movement modalities can be woven into your Yoga self practice.

Be spontaneous and creative, and move like no-one is watching!

Start with these 5 Asanas in your regular Yoga self practice

Following 6-12 rounds of Suyra Namaskar, try either linking these asanas into a sun salutation sequence or practising them separately.

Contra-indications include high blood pressure, lower back pain, sciatica and/or knee problems; some asanas require modification during pregnancy. Please speak with your regular Yoga teacher or email me at *[email protected]** if you have any concerns.*

1. Standing forward fold variations
2. Side plank
3. Low lunge
4. Downward dog with twist
5. Pigeon variations

Always end your Yoga self practice with a well-deserved Savasana of at least 5min

If you are still finding it difficult to come up with ideas, visit my Youtube channel for a few starting points: Theresa Moodie Youtube channel.

Photos were taken during my Yoga Retreat in Croatia in September 2017: https://theresamoodie.com/blog/yoga/day-activities-yoga-retreat-dubrovnik-region/