| Yoga for Carnivores by Jay Dyck |
| Sessions |
Here is a list of the various asanas that I practice as part of my body-conditioning regimen:
| Cougar Press PO Box 894 Meadview AZ 86444 |
| As you relax between asanas, observe four cycles of inhalation and exhalation. |
Sun Salutation
Headstand
Plow
Bow
Head-knee
Cobra
Plow 2
Locust
Shoulder Stand
Bridge
Fish
Headstand
Plow
Bow
Head-knee
Cobra
Plow 2
Locust
Shoulder Stand
Bridge
Fish
Lotus
Uddiyana
Nauli
Symbol of Yoga
Adept's Pose
Twist
Kneeling
Balancing
Standing
Wheel
Corpse
Uddiyana
Nauli
Symbol of Yoga
Adept's Pose
Twist
Kneeling
Balancing
Standing
Wheel
Corpse
As you can see, there are only twenty-two items on the list. Some of the pages listed actually
depict several asanas. The Kneeling Pose, for instance, includes Kneeling, various back bends
in the kneeling position, a version of the Wheel, the Cow-head, the Frog pose and the Lion.
Still it doesn't seem like very many, but believe me when I tell you that doing them all can add
up to a session that lasts for two hours or more. We may not always have time for such a
chunk of yoga. We have places to go and things to do. We have families, jobs, hobbies,
obligations and other interests to fit into our day.
So, sometimes we need shorter sessions. Perhaps we have only one hour to practice our
exercises, or half an hour, or twenty minutes. All of the asanas are important, but it is not
strictly necessary to perform all of them in one session.
If you are going to choose shorter sessions, there are a few points to keep in mind:
That said, here are a few routines that I find appropriate for different days, depending on my
available time and energy:
depict several asanas. The Kneeling Pose, for instance, includes Kneeling, various back bends
in the kneeling position, a version of the Wheel, the Cow-head, the Frog pose and the Lion.
Still it doesn't seem like very many, but believe me when I tell you that doing them all can add
up to a session that lasts for two hours or more. We may not always have time for such a
chunk of yoga. We have places to go and things to do. We have families, jobs, hobbies,
obligations and other interests to fit into our day.
So, sometimes we need shorter sessions. Perhaps we have only one hour to practice our
exercises, or half an hour, or twenty minutes. All of the asanas are important, but it is not
strictly necessary to perform all of them in one session.
If you are going to choose shorter sessions, there are a few points to keep in mind:
- Try to include both bending and stretching exercises in the session;
- Squeeze in some twisting if you can.
- Finish every session with some time in the corpse pose of relaxation.
That said, here are a few routines that I find appropriate for different days, depending on my
available time and energy:
The first option is to perform all of the exercises on the list. Although this takes a couple of
hours, it is well worth it. One asana leads to the next. After completion you will probably feel
wonderful, relaxed yet full of energy, ready to move on to other activities.
All of these exercises are better done with an empty stomach.
Of course, there is no reason why you cannot just do one of the asanas during a short break
from your daily routine. The Sun Salutation is an excellent choice for this option.
hours, it is well worth it. One asana leads to the next. After completion you will probably feel
wonderful, relaxed yet full of energy, ready to move on to other activities.
All of these exercises are better done with an empty stomach.
Of course, there is no reason why you cannot just do one of the asanas during a short break
from your daily routine. The Sun Salutation is an excellent choice for this option.
The shortest session that I would recommend is:
This can be a little more complete if you include the Twist:
Another nice session might involve adding in the Lotus, Uddiyana and Nauli:
Rather than beginning with the Sun Salutation, which requires a good deal of energy, you may
often feel more attracted to a session that begins with lying on your back. Relax for a few
breaths, maybe four, and then begin:
In general, the full sequence leads from one asana to the next. Having done a few or a dozen
Sun Salutations, you will be limber enough to move along to the Headstand and other more
rigorous positions. The Fish positions prepares you for the Lotus.
When you have become flexible enough, you will be able to start some sessions by going directly
into the Lotus pose:
There are times when the student will prefer not to lie down or sit. This could be on a floor or
on the ground, or perhaps on pavement, or sand. In such a circumstance, the standing
positions can be appropriate:
Not lying down implies not following the short session with relaxation in the Corpse pose.
However, do stand and relax for at least four breaths before continuing with your day.
One pose that can be performed all by itself is the Corpse. You can do it on the floor, on your
mat, on a bench, a couch, a bed, a beach or a lawn. You can do it on a flat rock. You can use
it just to relax, or you can use it to meditate.
- Sun Salutation
- Headstand
- Corpse
This can be a little more complete if you include the Twist:
- Sun Salutation
- Headstand
- Twist
- Corpse
Another nice session might involve adding in the Lotus, Uddiyana and Nauli:
- Sun Salutation
- Headstand
- Lotus
- Abdominal Contractions (Uddiyana and Nauli)
- Twist
- Corpse
Rather than beginning with the Sun Salutation, which requires a good deal of energy, you may
often feel more attracted to a session that begins with lying on your back. Relax for a few
breaths, maybe four, and then begin:
- Plow
- Bow
- Head-knee
- Cobra
- Plow 2
- Locust
- Shoulderstand
- Fish
- Lotus
- Abdominal Contractions
- Corpse
In general, the full sequence leads from one asana to the next. Having done a few or a dozen
Sun Salutations, you will be limber enough to move along to the Headstand and other more
rigorous positions. The Fish positions prepares you for the Lotus.
When you have become flexible enough, you will be able to start some sessions by going directly
into the Lotus pose:
- Lotus
- Abdominal Contractions
- Yoga Mudra
- Kneeling
- Cow-head
- Lion
- Corpse
There are times when the student will prefer not to lie down or sit. This could be on a floor or
on the ground, or perhaps on pavement, or sand. In such a circumstance, the standing
positions can be appropriate:
- Triangle pose
- Lord Nataraja
Not lying down implies not following the short session with relaxation in the Corpse pose.
However, do stand and relax for at least four breaths before continuing with your day.
One pose that can be performed all by itself is the Corpse. You can do it on the floor, on your
mat, on a bench, a couch, a bed, a beach or a lawn. You can do it on a flat rock. You can use
it just to relax, or you can use it to meditate.