The first part of class is the Standing Series and starts off with Pranayama Breathing – probably the most important “posture” of all. Deep breathing will detox and revitalise the body in preparation for the practice of the following 25 postures.
The standing postures are designed to increase strength and flexibility and bring about a balance between the two. If you are very flexible you may struggle more with the strength side of things and vice versa – great strength can compromise flexibility. Strength can be seen as the masculine trait and flexibility can be seen as the feminine trait – whether you are male or female – the body is better off with a balance of both – go “Androgynous”!!!
The Balancing Series – i.e. Standing Head to Knee, Standing Bow Pulling Pose and Balancing Stick are all great postures to train the mind and body to work together and bring about that balance – a balance in the body created by a balance of the body and mind.
Each posture is specifically placed in an order to work the body systematically. For example an “opening posture” such as Triangle (sometimes known as the “Master Posture of the Series”) is followed by a compression posture – Standing Separate Leg Stretching – followed by another opener – Tree and so it goes on. There’s a reason for everything.
At the end of the Standing Series there is a lovely 2 minute Savasana which I can guarantee will be well earnt and feels simply amazing!
Enjoy!
Beverley