I’m getting certified to teach yoga in just a few short months. I’m really excited for this new journey. I’ve been studying a couple of different textbooks. “Yoga Sequencing” by Mark Stephens has so far been the most impactful. It’s been really impactful and helping me deepen m own yoga practice. I’m going to gain so much knowledge while I’m at Rising Wolf – the retreat center where the training is going to take place. It’s absolutely beautiful there. I had the privilege of going on a retreat there back in October and it completely changed my life. I wrote a post about it here.

On top of reading a pile of books, we also have to memorize some sun salutations.

Sun A is the most commonly practiced one and therefore the easiest for me to take myself through. The most difficult part, I think, is learning the Sanskrit language. But that is part of the history and origin of yoga. It’s roots are much deeper than you would imagine.

The Sun A flow goes something like this,

Starting at the top of your mat, bring your arms down to your side, deep breath. Tadasana.

Taking a deep breath in, arms overhead. Urdva Hastasana.

Exhale, fold forward. Uttanasana.

Inhale, halfway lift. Arda Uttanasana.

Plant the hands, exhale, step or jump back into chaturanga dandasana. If you jump back, land with bent elbows. Don’t let your shoulders dip below your elbows.

Inhale, upward-facing dog. Urdhva Mukha Svanasana.

Exhale, downward-facing dog. Adho Mukha Svanasana.

Take five deep breaths here. Walk it out. Pedal out the legs. What is your body telling you? Where’s the tension?

Inhale, look forward, at the bottom of your exhale, step or float to the top of your mat. Uttanasana.

Inhale, halfway lift. Press the hands into the shins, keep the crown of the head towards the front of the room. Arda Uttanasana.

Exhale, forward fold. Uttanasana.

Inhale, arms overhead. Urdhva Hastasana.

Exhale, hands to heart center. Samasthini. Namaste.

Did you get all of that?