SPINAL PULSE | The Architecture of Support
Welcome to Friday Yin,
This week in class, I shared a slow spinal sequence designed to connect you with the deeper structures of your support.
Your spine is an intelligent and mobile infrastructure supporting your upright stance. It offers the stability to stand your ground but also the space to move and yield.
The spine is made up of intricate architecture that makes it a neutral-seeking structure. We are often led to believe that the spine is inherently fragile and that our activities will ultimately damage it over time. I often push back on this ideology and, instead, view the spine as intrinsically strong. What if the spine is not fundamentally weak, but perhaps we’re just ‘getting in the way’ - holding tension in subconscious places and inhibiting the spine from seeking neutral? Could we unravel the tension and honour the deep intelligence that ultimately defines your sense of self & support?
Through this sequence, you will explore two directional movements: flexion (forward-bending) and extension (back-bending). Bear in mind that these are not the only movements your spine is capable of, and we will explore additional movements in future sessions. If you would like to explore lateral extension (side-bending), axial rotation (twisting) and axial extension (lengthening) with me, please subscribe below for future free yin yoga sessions ♥
My teachings come from a fundamental belief that everything is interconnected—the way you do one thing is the way you do everything. So, I encourage you to reflect on the teachings in this session with an open and curious mind. Your anatomy is connected to your psychology, and your psychology is connected to your spirituality. Allow this practice to be an open-ended conceptualisation of meaning-making and personal enquiry.
PROPS FOR PRACTICE:
Bolster
Blocks
Strap (optional)
Eye-pillow (optional)
ASANA PLAN:
Some of these asana were left out of the live session, but feel free to add at your discretion. Hold each posture for approximately 5 minutes and allow for a 1-2 minute rebound in between.
Seated Meditation + Pranayama - Spinal Breathing
Wide-Legged Child’s Pose
Sphinx with a bolster under the solar plexus (deepen ~ use a strap around the chest and draw heels to sit bones, tightening the strap so your feet are held in this position)
Reclined Deer Pose
Saddle Pose (alternative for knees ~ Reclined Butterfly)
Reclined Twist (deepen ~ Cat Pulling Tail Pose with strap for support)
Caterpillar Pose
Half-Hammock Pose (soften ~ use a block under your head and hold the strap around your foot instead of strapping your head and foot together)
Fountain of Youth Pose (deepen ~ Snail Pose)
Fish Pose (5 breaths)
Savasana
AUDIO RECORDNING: (Live)
RECOMMENDED PLAYLIST:
I hope you enjoy this personal practice. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions, feedback or personal insights - I sincerely appreciate these interactions with my community ♥
Thank you for sharing your practice with me.
Namaste xo
