What is the main focus of the Intermediate Yoga Class?
The main focus of the Intermediate Yoga Class is threefold:
1)To assist the student in finding ease in all 65 poses in the Beginner/Intermediate syllabus (including building stamina and duration in all inverted poses).
2) To assist the student in developing and deepening his or her personal practice towards a daily practice (either at the studio – or at the student’s home at his or her own pace and level.)
3) To add an additional 35 new poses to the student's repertoire.
Why is the emphasis on the Intermediate class towards building stamina and a daily yoga practice? The physical benefits of yoga are many including: increased flexibility, strength, increased range of motion, vitality and more.Yet the main benefit that comes from practicing yoga is peace of mind.Students tell us how the bombardment of their “life’s circumstances” haven’t changed, yet they feel a new sense of peace and ease as they continue with the yoga practice.This is not a random phenomena or coincidence, but rather a direct benefit and result of having the student work at all ends of his or her physical spectrum.Yoga is a practice of balancing and eliminating dualities.This balance only comes after time and sustained practice.Yoga is not a “quick-fix” – but rather must be practiced as a way of life – a lifestyle. This is a deep and constant theme in the yogic literature.In Sanskrit the saying is:“Abhayasa Vairaghyabhyam Tannnirodah.”This translates as:“The constant and sustained practice of detachment, over a long period of time, extinguishes the disturbances that prevent peace of mind.” What are the additional 35 poses covered in the Intermediate class? Nearly all of the additional 35 poses will be inversions or arm balances. Pose nameSanskrit Name Headstand Variations (12)Sirsasana II Sirsasana III BaddhaHasta Sirsasana Mukta Hasta Sirsasana Eka Pada Sirsasana Parivrtta Sirsasana Parsva Sirsasana Sirsasana in Padmasana Urdhva Dandasana Sirsasana in Uppavista Sirsasana in Baddhakonasana DwiPada Viparita Dandasana ShoulderStand Variations (5)Nirlamba Sarvangasana Eka Pada Sarvangasana Parsva Sarvangasana Supta Konasana Karnipidasana Arm Balances (10) Crooked in 8-placesAstavakrasana Extended SageEka Pada Koundinyasana I Extended Sage IIEka Pada Koundinyasana II One-legged CrowEka Pada Bhakasana One-legged SageEka Pada Galavasana PeacockMayurasana Knees to Shoulders poseBhujipidasana Balance poseTolasana Earring poseLolasana Rooster PoseKukutasana Remaining poses; Pose nameSanskrit Name Full Lotus posePadmasana Downward LotusAdho Mukha Padmasana Revolved Head to knee poseParivrtta Janusirsasana One legged forward foldTrianga Mukhakaikapada Paschimottanasana Both Feet upUbhaya Padangusthasana Foot to Ear (Archer)Akarna Dhanurasana Straight leg stomach poseJathara Parivartanasana Vishnu’s poseAnantasana
These 100 poses complete the Intermediate class syllabus at Downtown Yoga.A student could easily spend years studying, exploring and practicing these poses.