Opening and Unwinding

About This Class

This generous floor-to-standing flow invites practitioners to move from a place of deep listening and self-compassion rather than effort or achievement. Beginning supine with breath work and knee-to-chest warm-ups, the class progresses through cat-cow, three-legged dog transitions, lunging sequences (lizard lunge, warrior two, reverse warrior, half moon with Chapasana option), repeated forearm plank holds, sphinx, and upward-facing dog. Standing hip-opening work features multiple variations of figure-four chair pose building toward Eka Pada Galavasana (flying pigeon) with block support, alongside qigong-inspired arm swinging and shoulder openers. A Shitali (cooling breath) pranayama interlude grounds the midpoint of practice. The closing sequence includes supported pigeon pose over a bolster (with optional backbend), bridge or wheel pose with a block between the thighs, and reclined spinal twists before a long, chant-accompanied Savasana. Throughout, the instructor emphasizes breath over shape, releasing mental narrative, cultural reverence for the yoga lineage, and compassion for all body structures. Props (block and bolster) are integral. The overall tone is warm, philosophical, and deeply inclusive.