| ou think about yoga, you likely think first of poses that | | | | to knees, hands up, and mountain again. As you can |
| emphasize self awareness and flexibility. You can, | | | | see, the Sun Salutation is naturally circular just as many |
| though, link poses in series called yoga vinyasas. In | | | | other yoga sequences are. |
| these vinyasas, the poses are done in a free-flowing | | | | Warrior II |
| sequence that adds to your overall yoga experience. | | | | Another popular sequence for yogis in the West is |
| While your yoga teacher is trained to create vinyasas | | | | called Triangle, or the Warrior II. This particular vinyasas |
| for you, there are also certain existing sequences that | | | | emphasizes your breathing. Though it is usually |
| you can do on your own once you know what poses | | | | recommended to try this moving between positions on |
| they involve. Two that are particularly popular in the | | | | the beat of your breath, you can experiment with |
| West are the Sun Salutation and Warrior II. | | | | different breathing patters to see what is best for you |
| Sun Salutation | | | | and how each affects you. In fact, this ability to freely |
| One of the most popular sequences is known as the | | | | experiment is what has made this such a popular |
| Sun Salutation. It is a single flow of 12 different yoga | | | | vinyasas. |
| postures. With each, you should inhale to accompany | | | | The sequence for Warrior II works through four poses. |
| your stretching and exhale as you contract or fold | | | | You will use Mountain, Triangle, Warrior II and the |
| your body in. This particular vinyasas is designed to | | | | standing Yoga Mudra. Moving in that order, you will |
| build your strength and increase your overall flexibility. | | | | flow through the sequence in time with your breathing. |
| Like with most vinyasas, you may find variations on | | | | This particular sequence will have a tendency to |
| this depending on what style of yoga you are using, | | | | release stress and help with your flexibility. Be sure, as |
| but there are a few basic poses and a flow that is | | | | with all yoga, to pay careful attention to your breathing |
| fairly consistent among the variations. | | | | patterns while staying focused on yourself. |
| For the Sun Salutation, you go through the flow twice | | | | Once you begin to learn a number of yoga poses, you |
| in order to complete one round. Do it one time for the | | | | can begin to experiment with vinyasas on your own or |
| right side of the body and the other time for your left. If | | | | with a teacher. They allow you to not only work within |
| you are crunched for time, still try to do at least one. | | | | the poses, but also to maintain both a physical and |
| Even that one half of a sequence will help you to feel | | | | mental flow when you perform your daily yoga. |
| revitalized. | | | | Additionally, you can find other yoga sequences that |
| The sun salutation starts with mountain. From there | | | | suit your skill level, need, and style of yoga. Overall, the |
| you go with hands up, head to knees, lunge, plank, and | | | | vinyasas are a part of yoga that may help you see |
| stick. Still flowing, you go into upward dog, downward | | | | and feel results more quickly and more consistently. |
| dog, and lunge. Finally, the sequence finishes with head | | | | |