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FITNESS
PLUS
YOGA FOR RUNNERS & CYCLISTS
FIND YOUR MENTAL FOCUS
INJURY-PROOF YOUR BODY
37
yoga poses
to get you
fit, strong &
flexible
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INTRODUCTION
WELCOME
H
eard that yoga could
boost your athletic ability?
You’re not wrong! A MEET YOUR INSTRUCTOR
wealth of top sports The yoga sequences and instruction in this guide have
people and sports teams been devised by physiyoga expert Helen O’Neill. A
qualified physiotherapist, yoga instructor and athlete,
are now using yoga to improve their
O’Neill has years of experience helping athletes and
performance. It stretches and strengthens
exercisers perform at their best – from Ironmen and
muscles, ironing out any weaknesses by world-class skiers to recreational runners and cyclists.
bringing better balance to the body. It’s In 2012, O’Neill founded Fix (fixlondon.co.uk), a
also a great tonic for the mind, with many pioneering rehabilitation clinic in London offering a holistic
athletes swearing by yoga for decreased approach to sports injuries, using physiotherapy,
osteopathy, acupuncture, and one-to-one ‘physiyoga’.
With physiyoga, O’Neill tailors yoga postures and
TOP SPORTS breathing exercises to a patient’s injury or
PEOPLE ARE USING weakness to help their body rebalance
YOGA TO BOOST and recover.
Through her work, O’Neill has witnessed
PERFORMANCE first-hand how yoga can improve fitness
and sporting performance at every level.
stress, better clarity of thought and 'Yoga works to balance any muscle
enhanced mental focus. Expert imbalances created by a sport; improve
instruction is key, so we’ve created the muscular efficiency; concentrate focus,
ultimate step-by-step Yoga for Fitness coordination and inner strength,' says
guide to help you add some yoga O'Neill. ‘All of which are advantageous
sequences to your training if you want to return from injury or
schedule. We’ll guide you just improve your game.’
When she’s not Fixing
through the basics and teach
people, or directing
you the postures, step by step.
operations at Fix HQ,
Then you can try our exclusive O’Neill can be found
collection of yoga sequences, biking (on- and off-road),
tailored especially to certain running, swimming,
sports. Run faster, cycle being upside-down
harder or swim better – and generally loving
you’ll be amazed by yoga.
the results!
3
10
3 Welcome
18 THE SEQUENCES
6 How to use this book
20 Runner’s sequence
8 Introduction
22 Cyclist’s sequence
10 Yoga for the mind
24 Swimmer’s sequence
12 Hit the mat
26 THE POSTURES
14 Yoga for runners
16 Yoga for cyclists
4
INTRODUCTION
26
5
HOW
TO USE
THIS
BOOK
Can’t wait to get fit with yoga?
Read these instructions first to get
maximum benefits from your guide
M
ore athletes than ever are
discovering that yoga is
the perfect workout for
improved strength,
flexibility, and an reduced
injury risk. This guide offers all the basics you
need to start adding yoga to your weekly
workouts, from step-by-step instructions to
yoga sequences that are tailored to your
chosen sport.
To get the full benefits from yoga, it’s
essential you learn the foundations. So take
time to read through the book first to get
familiar with the techniques and postures. This
way you’ll reap all the rewards and enjoy your
workouts to the full.
Once you’ve learnt the basics, you can start to
build your yoga practice. Mix and match your
favourite postures to create your own yoga
routines. Or follow the tailored sequences at the
back of the book. Whether you want to cycle
faster, swim for longer or reduce your running
injury risk, this guide will help you reach your
sports goals!
6
INTRODUCTION
ABOUT YOGA
Learn the history and philosophy
of yoga and discover why it’s more
popular than ever today. Find out why
so many athletes are using yoga to
08
help them stay in peak condition.
DISCOVER
THE MENTAL
BENEFITS
Read about the amazing benefits yoga 10
has to offer your mind. Learn how it can
reduce anxiety and stress, encourage a
positive mindset, and help you to better
focus on your exercise ambitions.
FIND YOUR
YOGA FLOW
Confused by the many different yoga
types that are available today? Learn
about some of the varieties that are on 12
offer and find the right class or practice
for your goals.
YOUR YOGA
WORKOUTS
Try some yoga sequences that have
been tailor made for swimmers, 20
runners and cyclists. Warm up with a
Sun salutation, then choose the
sports-specific sequence designed
to boost your performance.
PERFECT THE
POSTURES
This section will teach you the key
yoga postures. With step-by-step
photos, expert instruction and tips for all 28
levels, these moves are the foundations of
your practice.
7
More than just a way to relax, this ancient system of exercise is
now a favourite with athletes and exercisers alike. Here’s why…
INTRODUCTION
O
nce considered Sir Bradley Wiggins being a strong pose, your core – the deeper muscles
the domain of the advocate of yoga and core work. In of the trunk which stabilise your body
spiritually- the US, numerous male athletes during movement – is challenged.
minded, yoga is have surprised their critics by The stronger your core, the more
now firmly on the attributing their performance to efficient your technique when you
fitness map. The steady rise in the yoga, including six-time NBA All Star move, as energy won’t be lost
number of super-fit celebrities and Joe Johnson, who regularly practises compensating for poor technique.
athletes doing yoga in recent years Bikram yoga. Cyclists and triathletes will also find
has helped to highlight its many But you don’t have to be an less tension in their shoulders,
benefits for everyone. Madonna is athlete or professional sports person hamstrings and lower back as a result
said to maintain her incredibly to reap the fitness benefits. Just one of doing regular yoga classes, too.
youthful physique with regular yoga yoga class a week can lead to
sessions, while Sting looks leaner improvements in your strength, FEEL THE
and fitter than most men half flexibility, recovery from high BENEFITS
his age. intensity exercise (such as running or One yoga class a week is a good
But yoga is about much more than other cardio work) as well as starting point to complement your
looking good – although that’s an improvements in balance and exercise regime, but if you can
extra benefit! Sports and coordination. Your body awareness commit to two, you should start to
conditioning coaches are now will also improve, which leads to see and feel the benefits of looking
prescribing it for their athletes and reduced injury risk, as it means leaner, feeling stronger and generally
sports people to improve their you’re more likely to be aware of being less prone to injuries.
strength, flexibility and reduce injury niggles that could turn into injuries if And the added bonus of having a
risk. Many injured athletes use it to left unchecked. more positive mindset for your
help them recover and make a chosen activity is naturally hugely
comeback and others credit sporty MIND OVER appealing too. What more could you
Bikram (hot yoga) and Vinyasa yoga MATTER ask for? Our guide will help you find
for helping them to get stronger and Yoga is also a proven way to the style of yoga that suits you and
recover faster after matches. empower and focus your mind and your goals.
this can improve your performance So start today!
MEDAL during exercise and sport such as Many sportspeople including Sir Bradley
WINNER cycling or running. The more positive Wiggins, Andy Murray and Jessica Ennis-Hill
use yoga to boost their performance
The professional British tennis player your mindset, the more likely you are
Andy Murray famously took up to run a marathon with confidence,
Bikram yoga at the recommendation win a game of tennis or beat your
of his conditioning coach and found personal best. It can also help you
that it helped to improve his overcome pre-event nerves, motivate
flexibility and balance his body, as yourself to exercise and stay on track
well as calm his mind and make him with your goals.
more in control mentally on court. Yoga is the perfect partner to many
Former Olympic heptathlete other forms of exercise. Rather than
Jessica Ennis-Hill found that it follow up a long run with another
improved her performance and strenuous session the next day, a
former footballer Ryan Giggs yoga class will give you a good
enjoyed Premier League football to stretch and help to reduce
the age of 40 and credited yoga for post-exercise stiffness without
improving his strength, flexibility and creating more stress on the body.
recovery. It’s also popular with Yoga is also great for improving
triathletes, runners and cyclists, with core strength. When you hold a yoga
9
When you’re exercising, yoga can help you feel positive and focus on
your goals through visualisation and breathing techniques and
better concentration
INTRODUCTION
T
he mental benefits of Repeating a mantra can help you increases and we’re often told to
yoga for athletes can’t develop a positive mindset and be ‘take a deep breath’ to calm down. It
be underestimated, synchronised with your breathing. makes sense. Breathing more slowly
especially if you’re Yoga instructor Sheila Maubec reduces your heart rate, which helps
competing. Yoga can believes athletes can improve their you focus and stay in a calm state.
reduce anxiety and stress, encourage confidence through yoga. ‘Many ‘Yoga teaches you how to control
a more positive mindset, improve athletes underestimate their your breathing, slowing it down, so
concentration and help you learn potential,’ she says. ‘Many times we that you breathe through your
how to meditate and focus. The skill give up before we reach our goal, not diaphragm and take deep breaths,’
of meditation can be applied during because of our ability but because says physiotherapist Tim Allardyce
races, while good visualisation our goal is too difficult to achieve at from Surrey Physio. ‘This helps
techniques can help you develop the that moment. Power yoga works reduce carbon dioxide in your lungs
ability to imagine a positive outcome strongly with willpower, the desire to and improve oxygen absorption into
in competition. Many athletes talk try new poses which you don’t the blood, as well as reducing your
about visualising every stage of a believe you can do or to keep going heart rate slowly. Like any skill, we
race before the event, from starting if you are exhausted.’ must learn to breathe and it requires
off to crossing the finish line. practice to make it into a habit.’
VISUALISING Better breathing techniques can
POSITIVE SUCCESS not only keep runners calm but can
MINDSET In yoga, you’re encouraged to also help them find a good rhythm
If you train your body and not your practise visualisation techniques. during a long race. ‘If you’re trying to
mind, when you compete, your brain Think of it like developing a maintain a steady tempo of running,
goes into overdrive. Jumbled mini-movie in your mind. You can getting into a groove with breathing
thoughts, some positive, some practise it anywhere – at home or can be a good thing to focus on,’
negative and thoughts of past races somewhere you won’t be says personal trainer Frank Mayfield.
or matches that didn’t go well, along interrupted. Get comfortable, take ‘You can let everything else take care
with the pressure to perform on the deep breaths and think about your of itself and just concentrate on the
day, can be overwhelming. senses – how things look, feel and number of breaths you want to do
A strong mindset is key and yoga smell in the scenario you create. per minute. If you’re thinking more
can help develop this. ‘All types of If you’re visualising winning a race, about breathing, you’re not thinking
yoga are designed to connect body, what does the stadium look, feel, about time.’
mind and soul which helps us to sound and smell like? Can you hear
connect to our spiritual selves,’ says the crowds cheering? Be positive. If CONCENTRATION
yoga instructor Sarah Shimwell. ‘More you find a negative thought creeping The ability to concentrate is key for
meditative styles of yoga, often into your mind during a visualisation all athletes. Shutting out everything
incorporating breathing exercises and exercise, stop and start the movie else and focusing on one thing is
chanting, include Jivamukti, Kundalini again. Focus on yourself too. crucial. Yoga aims to silence the
and Sivananda yoga. But all types of Imagine running with good mind so athletes can be ‘in the zone’,
yoga, when practised correctly, help to technique and feeling strong all or in a state of ‘pure flow’ where they
improve mental concentration, focus round the track. can concentrate solely on winning.
and strength, as they require the mind It will take time to develop a good Moves such as Tree pose, where
and body to work in unison in order to technique, so be patient. Regular you balance on one leg, or other
hold challenging poses.’ yoga classes will help you develop moves that require this level of skill,
this skill. will aid concentration. You can
MEDITATIVE awaken your potential by mastering
STATE BREATHING poses you didn’t think you could do
Going into a meditative state during When we’re stressed or under and you can work towards achieving
a race can help block out negativity. pressure, our breathing rate goals in the long term.
11
THE MAT Whether you want to try a class or practise at home,
here’s how to find the right type of yoga for your goals
D
o you know your If you’re looking for a more taught in the West is Hatha yoga but
Iyengar from your challenging class, the energetic when a class is sold as Hatha, it
Ashtanga? There are Ashtanga or Power yoga is perfect. usually means it focuses on the basic
so many types of yoga Its dynamic, flowing sequences and yoga poses. After a warm-up to
on offer these days, it athletic postures build upper body prepare your body, you’ll practise a
can be confusing to know which one is strength, flexibility and balance. series of postures, followed by
best for you. Yoga is a perfect form of If you’re looking for a more relaxation. Postures are slow and
exercise to practise at home but it spiritual practice, Sivananda yoga deep so it’s the perfect starting place
helps to attend a beginner’s class first covers meditation, self-awareness, for any would-be yogi, giving you
to get the basics in place. Most experts breathing, relaxation and positive time to get to know the poses. ‘Hatha
recommend having a session with a thinking – a calming addition to a gives the student a chance to develop
qualified teacher or doing a regular demanding fitness schedule. If you each pose before moving on to
class for six weeks. want to work on mental strength for something more fast-paced such as a
sport or fitness, Power yoga could be Vinyasa yoga class where you’re
BEGINNER’S a good choice for you. It’s strong and guided through the poses without
LUCK demanding and will also satisfy more stopping,’ explains Shimwell. You
Some varieties of yoga are competitive types. won’t work up a sweat but you’ll leave
particularly suitable for beginners. If you’re reasonably fit but the class feeling limber and relaxed.
The slow, deep practice of Hatha deskbound for long periods or if
yoga is the perfect starting place for you’re a regular exerciser who simply IYENGAR YOGA Developed by BKS
any would-be yogi, giving you time wants a good stretch, a yoga class at Iyengar, this form of yoga focuses on
to get to know the poses. ‘Hatha your local gym could be ideal. Many correct alignment and puts
gives the student a chance to gym-based classes tend to focus on meticulous detail on getting into the
develop each pose before moving stretching rather than the more right position. Slow paced and strict,
on to something more fast-paced, spiritual side of yoga, although it many classes use blocks and belts to
such as a Vinyasa yoga class where does depends on the teacher. help you get into poses with correct
you’re guided through the poses technique. There are no flowing
without stopping,’ says Shimwell. FIND YOUR sequences but you’ll discover how
The slow-paced focus on CLASS physically and mentally challenging it
alignment in Iyengar yoga is also HATHA YOGA Hatha yoga means is to hold a pose. Iyengar instructors
ideal. If you love attention to detail the physical practice of yoga. It forms undergo rigorous training so if you
or are looking for a deep stretch, this the basis of all forms of physical have an injury Iyengar is a good
is the class for you. yoga. Nearly every type of yoga class choice to help you practise safely. If
12
YOGA CHOICES
13
Want to go faster and recover quicker? It’s time
to add some yoga into your weekly schedule
SPORT
T
ell a running coach pain during those last few miles of a
you’re training for a race. And the focus that yoga places on
race and you can balance is also important for runners. GOOD YOGA
expect to receive a When you run, you’re either airborne POSES FOR
training plan that or have just one foot on the ground. If
RUNNERS
includes yoga. American ultra runner you have poor balance, your technique
Scott Jurek (twice winner of the will suffer and you’ll be less efficient.
FOR CORE STRENGTH:
135-mile Badwater Ultramarathon) The single leg balance developed by
Cow pose – strengthens
has credited yoga with improving his doing poses such as Tree benefits the triceps and shoulders.
flexibility, body awareness and your running and helps keep you Downward dog to child
mental focus and thousands of other injury free. pose – strengthens the
runners are discovering the benefits Yoga also helps to strengthen the hamstrings, calves,
too. Tight hip flexors, heavy legs and ligaments in your knees and ankles, as Achilles, adductors,
poor technique are all common you learn to stand on one leg. quadriceps, triceps, biceps
problems for runners, especially and spine.
during long runs such as marathons. RECOVER High lunge – strengthens
the hip flexors, hamstrings
Yoga helps solve them all. FASTER and calves.
First, yoga helps you learn to Many runners who practise yoga
engage your core muscles which helps report less soreness the day after a FOR FLEXIBILITY:
improve your running technique, hard run. This is because yoga helps Pigeon – stretches the
boost your performance and prevent flush out waste products such as glutes and piriformis (the
injury. A weak core is a sure lactic acid, which builds up in the piriformis is a small muscle
way to waste energy when running. muscles during strenuous exercise, deep in the buttocks).
Core strength improves your running causing DOMS. It’s easy to hold High lunge – stretches
posture and gait which, in turn, means tension in the jaw, neck and shoulders the IT band, which is usually
more energy is transferred from your when running. Not only does this tight in runners.
Standing forward fold
foot into the ground, rather than being reduce your power, it can increase
– stretches the hamstrings
lost in useless movement, such as post-workout stiffness. The more you
and spine.
swinging your body from side to side. practise yoga, the less tense your
body will be when you run.
BREATHE EASY The mental benefits of yoga are
By improving your leg strength and hugely significant for runners. Your which indirectly improves your running
posture, yoga helps you keep your mindset plays a large part in technique. Many people heel strike
body in a strong, upright position for completing a run. When you’re tired, when they run, which increases impact
longer. This in turn improves your it’s easy to let negative self-talk creep as it creates a braking effect. Midfoot
breathing as it keeps your chest into your mind. Yoga can help settle it running is thought to involve less
lifted. While most runners find their into a meditative state, so negative impact, yet can only be achieved with
breathing gets easier as their self-talk goes away. You can create good foot strength.
cardiovascular fitness improves, yoga your own meditative flow when you ‘Yoga involves a lot of poses where
accelerates this process by run and use positive mantras. you’re on the balls of your feet, so the
encouraging you to become more small muscles of the feet get a lot of
aware of your breathing. Most of us AVOID conditioning and strength,’ says
breathe in a shallow way, but in yoga INJURIES personal trainer and triathlete Frank
you learn to take deep breaths from The high-impact nature of running Mayfield. ‘With midfoot running
your abdomen and use your full lung means that injuries are common. instead of a heel strike, it’s only possible
potential. Stretching in yoga classes can help if you have strength in the arches in
Yoga improves the flexibility of your alleviate tightness and prevent injury. your feet. Yoga is good for developing
hip flexor muscles which means less Yoga can also strengthen your feet that strength.’
15
It’s often said that the best cyclists are the most flexible.
Those with longer, more supple muscles are credited with
being more powerful and suffering from fewer injuries
16
SPORT
A
s any keen cyclist nature of the sport. ‘Cycling is so linear,
knows, long your legs are just going straight up
periods crouched and down like pistons which means if BEST YOGA
on the bike can you’ve got fairly weak adductors (the POSES FOR
lead to tight muscles on the inside of the thigh) it
CYCLISTS
shoulders, lower back, wrists and puts the adductors under tension,’
hips. First, when doing high mileage, explains Mayfield. ‘Weak adductors
FOR CORE STRENGTH:
it’s easy for your body to and a tight ITB, can create an uneven
Cat stretch – works core,
slump and your grip on the pulling on the knee joints which can eases tension in the back
handlebars to become tighter, which lead to all sorts of problems. Yoga and shoulders.
can result in tension and add strain offers a lot of poses, such as the The plank series – Plank
to your shoulders and neck. Bridge with a block squeezed and Side plank are good
Second, a cyclist’s quadriceps, between your knees, that puts the for core strength.
hamstrings and hip muscles never adductors under tension in order to Locust – strengthens the
rest. Riders often have strengthen them up.’ back, core and hamstrings.
overdeveloped quadriceps and tight Table –strengthens the
core, glutes and
hamstrings, which can pull their hips EASE BACK hamstrings.
out of alignment. ‘Due to having Some cyclists also suffer from back
tight hamstrings and glutes, cyclists problems. Holding the back in a FOR FLEXIBILITY:
struggle with many yoga poses,’ says flexed position for a long time can Crescent lunge –
yoga instructor Sheila Maubec. lead to aches and pains, often in the strengthens hip flexors,
‘Iyengar yoga is best for them as it lower back or shoulders, and more quadriceps, hamstrings.
involves holding poses which serious back problems. Downward facing dog
gradually stretches and lengthens Cycling causes a muscle imbalance – lengthens the back
those super-tight areas.’ between the back and the muscles and hamstrings.
abdominals. Opposing muscle groups Locust – stretches the
quadriceps, hamstrings
STRETCH IT work in pairs – when the back
and lower back.
Through holding poses, yoga can contracts the abdominals relax. If the
Low lunge thigh
help reduce tension in the back becomes strong and the stretch – stretches the
quadriceps, hamstrings and hips and abdominals weak, an imbalance can quadriceps.
improve flexibility in these areas. It occur, which can lead to lower back
also helps to align the spine. The problems. Weak core strength also
iliotibial band (ITB), which runs from means that a rider will find it harder to
the hip joint on the outside to the maintain good posture in the saddle, helps to strengthen the stabilising
knee, can get tight in cyclists. again placing a strain on the shoulders muscles around these areas.’
‘This band can get notoriously and wrists. The attention to breathing and the
tight because during cycling your leg In her book, Yoga For Cyclists, mind-body connection in yoga can
is never quite fully extended,’ says (Bloomsbury, £16.99) author and yoga give you the edge during competitive
personal trainer and triathlete Frank teacher Lexie Williamson recommends events. ‘If you’ve got a long incline
Mayfield. ‘Even if you get the seat that cyclists do core moves such as the ahead of you and you start at the
height just right, you’ll probably end Plank, Locust or Bridge. bottom and think about getting to the
up with tight hamstrings if you’re top in one go, it’s going to seem really
doing a lot of miles on the bike. Yoga HELPING HIPS challenging,’ says Mayfield. ‘But if you
is brilliant for lengthening out those And it’s good to give your lower body break it down and think: “I’m just
muscles and improving the range of some attention too, says personal going to keep my breathing nice and
movement around knees and hips.’ trainer Wesley Petrie. ‘Ankles, hips and steady”, it can deflect your mind away
Yoga can also help combat the groin areas are put under a lot of from what can be quite an
problems caused by the repetitive pressure while cycling,’ he says. ‘Yoga overwhelming prospect.’
17
You've learnt the basics and are ready to master
the postures. Put everything together and try some
yoga sequences tailored to your favourite sport.
This section offers a selection of tailored yoga
sessions designed to suit your goal, whether you
want to run injury-free, swim for longer, or power
up that hill on the bike. The sequences take
between 15 and 45 minutes but you can adapt
them to suit you. For maximum benefits, always
start your session with some warm-up moves, and
don’t forget to wind down with some relaxation
exercises and meditation.
19
START
RUNNER'S
SEQUENCE
Maintaining strength and flexibility of the legs, pelvis and torso is 1A
essential for runners. Running predominantly uses the legs for
power but power is also produced through the arms, torso and
pelvis. The body then transmits this power through a strong core
and it’s converted into speed. This sequence can help to improve the
flexibility of well-used muscles, for example the quads, hamstrings
and calves, improve the range of movement in your hips, feet, ankles
and shoulders, and improve stability throughout your entire body.
Hold each pose for 3 to 5 breaths.
END 12
20
SEQUENCES
1B 1C 1D 1E
4 3B 3A 2
5B 5B 6 7
11 10 9 8
21
CYCLIST'S
START
SEQUENCE
Cyclists spend a long time in the saddle. This is a forward crouch position
1A
shortening the front of the body. The muscles working in this shortened
position include pecs, core, hip flexors and hamstrings. This yoga sequence
aims to lengthen these shortened muscles, balance out the front and back
of your body with back bends and strengthen your core, especially the
oblique muscles, to assist with hill climbs. It also aims to restore and
improve range of movement in your wrists and shoulders – important when
you’re holding handlebars for extended periods in the saddle. Hold each
posture for three to five breaths.
15
22 END
SEQUENCES
1B 2 2B 3
4A
6A 5 4C 4B
7 8 9 10
11
14 13 12
23
START
SWIMMER'S
SEQUENCE 1A
As a swimmer, a strong core is essential to stabilise your body and
provide a solid platform to pull your body through the water, especially
if you’re swimming crawl. This sequence will help you develop strength
in your core and arms while stretching out key muscles including pecs,
hips and low back.
1A Downward dog
Page 48 7A High lunge
1B to Plank Page 51
Page 45 7b to Warrior 3
Repeat 3 to 5 times. Page 54
2A & 2B Downward dog 7c & 7D to Standing hand to foot
to Downward dog with grab pose and step back into High lunge
opposite leg twist Repeat 3 times on both sides. 5B
Page 48 8 Side plank
Hold for 5 breaths. Repeat on the Page 46
other side and hold for 5 breaths. Hold for 5 breaths on both sides.
3A, 3B & 3c High lunge 9 Head to knee forward bend
with eagle arms to full arms with block under bent knee
and back bend Page 37
Page 82 Repeat on both sides.
4 Wide legged forward bend 10 Wide angle seated
Page 32 forward bend
Do 3A, 3B, 3c & 4 then repeat Page 38
on other leg. 11 Happy baby
5A Warrior 2 with hands behind Page 40
the head to 12 Corpse
5b Warrior 2 with hands behind Page 28 6
head to side bend Hold for 3 to 5 minutes.
Page 53
Repeat 5A & 5B 5 times. Then
do them on the other side.
6 Core strengtheners – tailbone
lift. Hold for 3 breaths and repeat
3 times. Tailbone lift and shoulders
lift, hold for 3 breaths. Repeat
3 times. Rest and repeat
this sequence 2 to 3 times.
Page 44
END
12
24
SEQUENCES
1B 2A 2B 3A
5A 4 3C 3B
7A 7B 7C 7D
11 10 9
25
26
INTRODUCTION
27
POSTURE
SAVASANA
CORPSE
BENEFITS
Deeply relaxing. Use it at the beginning
and end of your practice. Calms your
mind and energises your body.
TIP
Use this pose during your practice to
recover from a challenging sequence.
28
POSTURE
DANDASANA
STAFF
BENEFITS
Focuses your mind, stretches your back,
opens your chest and shoulders and tones
your arms and legs.
TIP
If you find it hard to sit in this position, place
a block or blanket under your buttocks or sit
against a wall.
29
POSTURE
BALASANA
CHILD'S POSE
BENEFITS
Calms your mind, stretches your lower back
and upper body, and opens your hips.
TIP
If your forehead doesn’t reach the ground, rest it
on a book or block.
30
POSTURE
UTTANASANA
FORWARD
BEND
BENEFITS
Deeply relaxing and restoring. Strengthens
and stretches your legs and tones your spine.
31
POSTURE
VARIATION
From the start position, bend your left
knee and place your fingertips on the
floor in front of your left foot. Your left
heel should be off the floor. Point your
right arm straight up to the ceiling.
Direct your gaze to your right
fingertips. Take five to 10 breaths and
VARIATION
32
POSTURE
MAYSYENDRASANA
LORD OF THE
FISHES VARIATION
BENEFITS
Stretches your spine, shoulders, legs and hips,
while massaging the abdominal organs.
33
POS
GARUDASANA ARMS
TOE STRETCH
WITH EAGLE
ARMS
BENEFITS
Stretches your shoulders and upper back,
and eases tired legs.
34
POSTURE
ARDHA VIRASANA
HALF HERO
BENEFITS
Stretches the front of your hips, quadiceps
and the tops of your ankles.
35
POSTURE
PASCHIMOTTANASANA
SEATED
FORWARD BEND
BENEFITS
Helps relieve stress, stretches your spine,
shoulders and hamstrings.
VARIATION
If your hamstrings are tight, consider using a
strap to help you stretch. Loop the strap under
the pads of your feet, take it in both hands and
use it to help you ease down into the stretch.
VARIATION
36
POSTURE
JANU SIRSASANA
HEAD TO KNEE
FORWARD BEND
BENEFITS
Helps revive your body and mind, stretches
your inner thighs, hamstrings and spine.
VARIATION
If you find it hard to sit in this pose, place a
block under your thigh.
TIP
If you have tight hamstrings or hips, use a belt.
hooked over the ball of your foot.
VARIATION
37
POSTURE
UPAVISTHA KONASANA
WIDE ANGLE
SEATED
FORWARD
BEND
BENEFITS
Deeply relaxing, stretches your inner thighs
and lower back. Tones your legs.
TIP
Don’t compromise your alignment
to force yourself forward.
38
POSTURE
GOMUKHASANA
COW FACE
BENEFITS
Opens your spine and stimulates your
breathing while stretching the back of your
arms and chest muscles.
VARIATION
To increase the stretch, once in position, exhale
and gently fold forward from your hips (B). Keep
your back straight and relax into the stretch.
VARIATION
39
POSTURE
ANANDA BALASANA
HAPPY
BABY
BENEFITS
Relieves stress and boosts your mood,
stretches your inner and outer thighs
and lower back.
TIP
Keep your chin tucked in to ensure you
don’t strain your neck.
40
POSTURE
MARJARYASANA/BITILASANA
CAT/COW
BENEFITS
Conditions and warms up your spine, pelvis
and core.
VARIATION
This variation is good for loosening or warming up
your hip joints to improve your range of movement.
Stretch your right leg straight out to the side with
your foot flat on the floor and toes pointing
forward. Follow the same cycle, then repeat on
other side.
TIP
Moving with your breath will help you deepen
this practice.
VARIATION
41
POSTURE
SUCIRANDHRASANA
THREADING
THE NEEDLE
BENEFITS
Warms up and stretches your spine and
upper body.
42
POSTURE
VARIATION
43
POSTURE
CORE
STRENGTHENERS
BENEFITS
Strengthens and tones your abdomen
and deep core muscles, helps relieve
stress and improve digestion.
44
POSTURE
KUMBHAKASANA
PLANK
BENEFITS
Helps your mind to focus, and it’s great for
warming your body. It tones your abdominals, bottom
and upper arms.
45
POSTURE
VASISTHASANA
SIDE PLANK
BENEFITS
Strongly tones your outer thighs and waistline
as well as your core and arms.
From Plank position, inhale and press your left hand into the floor and
roll over on to the outside edge of your left foot. Exhale, and stack your
right ankle, hip and shoulder directly over your left ankle, hip and
shoulder. At the same time balance on your left hand and the outer
edge of your left foot.
Keep your left arm directly under your left shoulder, pressing into the
floor. Keep the left side of your body lifted and strong, draw your
abdominals to your spine and raise your hips. Inhale, lift up your
right arm and open your chest while looking up at your
right hand (A).
Take five to 10 breaths, building up the
length of time you hold the pose.
Repeat on your right side.
If this is too hard, try the
variation below.
VARIATION
TRIPOD SIDE PLANK
From Plank position, inhale and press your left hand
into the floor and roll over on to the outside edge of
your left foot. Exhale, and cross your right leg across
VARIATION
46
POSTURE
UTTANA BHARMANASANA
TABLE
BENEFITS
Improves your balance
and strengthens your
core and spine.
VARIATIONS
Follow the steps above but this time turn your
hands out to the sides (B), lower your hips to the
floor then turn your hands facing backwards (C)
and enter the pose again.
47
POSTURE
DOWNWARD DOG
BENEFITS VARIATIONS
Relieves fatigue, stretches your hamstrings, ankles Try a Walking downward dog to stretch your
and calves and strengthens your arms and legs. hamstrings. From the full Downward dog pose, keep
your left leg straight, bend your right knee and lift
Start on all fours with your legs hip-width apart, your right heel (B). Now repeat on the other side and
hands under your shoulders and your fingers fanning continue to alternate. To challenge your strength and
out. Inhale. stimulate your digestion, try a Revolved downward
Exhale and curl your toes under, straighten your dog (C).
arms and extend your legs to raise your hips up
towards the ceiling.
Draw your shoulders back and relax your head.
Draw in your tummy, press your thighs back and
extend your heels towards the back of
the room.
Straighten your legs and point your tailbone
to the ceiling.
Extend your heels to the floor but don’t
worry if they don’t reach (A).
Focus on flattening your back, keeping
your shoulder blades pulled back and looking
towards your knees. Keep
your thigh muscles strong.
Root your hands into the floor
and take 10 deep breaths.
VARIATIONS
48
POSTURE
3-LEG
DOWNWARD DOG
BENEFITS
All the benefits of Downward dog plus it opens your hips.
From Downward dog (A) inhale and bring your right leg
straight up behind you and flex your foot (B).
Keep your hips squared to the floor and hold for two
breaths, pressing your left foot into the floor. Exhale,
release and then repeat on the other side.
VARIATION
OPEN HIP
To give your hips more of a stretch, from full 3-leg
Downward dog, open your right hip and bend your
knee. Keep reaching your left heel towards the ground.
Take three deep breaths then repeat on the other side.
VARIATION
49
POSTURE
ASHVA SANCHALANASANA
LOW LUNGE
BENEFITS
This pose strengthens and stabilises your
core. It also relieves knee pain and
plantar fasciitis.
VARIATIONS
LOW LUNGE TWIST
From Low lunge, keep your front leg bent
at 90° and bring your left knee down to the
floor behind you. Inhale and raise your torso
upright. Draw your tailbone towards the
floor. Bring your palms together to prayer
position at your chest. Exhale and twist your
torso to the right. Bring your left elbow to
the outside of your right thigh (B).
Press the back of your upper left arm
against your thigh and draw your right
shoulder backwards. Rotate further to the
right, lengthening your spine on inhalations
and twisting deeper on exhalations.
Inhale, and straighten your back leg,
making sure not to collapse your torso (C).
Stay here for three to five breaths.
50
POSTURE
ALANASANA
HIGH LUNGE
BENEFITS
Strengthens and tones your ankles, inner and
outer thighs, and your core muscles.
VARIATION:
Starting in High lunge, inhale, stretch your left arm
out to the side. Rotate your left arm inwardly,
rotating the thumb so it points behind you. Exhale,
sweep your left arm behind your torso and tuck
your forearm into the hollow of your lower back so
it’s parallel to your waist. Roll your left shoulder
back and down, then work your forearm up your
back until it’s parallel with your spine. The back of
your hand is between shoulder blades.
Inhale, stretch your right arm forwards, parallel to
the floor. Turn your palm up, inhale, stretch your
arm up to the ceiling, palm facing back. Lift through
your right arm, exhale, reach down for your left
hand. If possible, hook your left fingers. You can use
a strap here if your fingers don’t connect. Firm
shoulder blades against back ribs and lift the chest.
Pushing through your front heel and keeping your
back leg strong, slowly bend from your waist
towards your left. If you wobble, don’t bend further
(B). Take breaths here. Repeat on the other side.
51
POSTURE
PARIVRTTA TRIKONASANA
ROTATED
TRIANGLE
BENEFITS
Stretches and strengthens your hamstrings,
thighs and calves, and stretches your hips and
spine. A mild-back-pain reliever, it improves
breathing, stimulates your internal organs and
improves your balance.
52
VIRABHADRASANA II
WARRIOR 2
BENEFITS
Improves your stamina and tones your legs,
arms and shoulders.
VARIATION
HUMBLE WARRIOR
From Warrior 2 pose, bring your arms behind your back and
interlace your fingers. Reach them down your back to open
your chest, then fold forward from your hips to bring your
upper body on the inside of your left knee. Send your arms up
towards the sky and your head to the floor.
Keep your hips squared to the front and avoid resting
your weight on your knee.
VARIATION
53
POSTURE
VIRABHADRASANA III
WARRIOR 3
BENEFITS
Improves your focus and balance while strengthening your abdominals,
hips, ankles and legs.
Start in Mountain pose and lift your arms overhead (A). Step forward on
to your left foot. Root the sole of your left foot down, lifting your inner
arch. Inhale, transfer your weight to your left leg.
Exhale, lift your right leg straight back and, leading with your chest and
keeping your abdomen engaged, tilt your torso and arms forward. Rotate
the outer edge of your right thigh down so your hips are level. Keep the
thigh muscles of your supporting leg strong, direct your right heel back,
pointing your toes down.
Continue tilting forwards until your arms are straight out in front of you
and parallel to the floor, with your palms facing each other and arms
forming a straight line with your head, torso and raised leg (B). Imagine
your arms and raised leg are stretching in opposite directions. Take five to
10 breaths.
Inhale to step back, then repeat on the other side.
54
POSTURE
PARSVOTTANASANA
INTENSE SIDE
STRETCH
BENEFITS
This pose improves your posture, sense of balance
and digestion while strengthening your legs and
stimulating your abdominal organs. It stretches your
spine, shoulders, wrists, hips and hamstrings.
55
POSTURE
NATARAJASANA
BABY
DANCER
BENEFITS
Works to improve your balance while
strengthening your legs and ankles. The pose
stretches your thighs, groins and abdomen, as
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56
POSTURE
UTKATASANA
CHAIR
BENEFITS
Strengthens and tones your ankles, calves and
thighs, and stretches your shoulders and chest. The
pose stimulates your heart, diaphragm and
abdominal organs.
VARIATION
Inhale and raise your arms, exhale and bend your
knees, then bring your right ankle to rest on your left
knee. Sit back so your thighs are as parallel to the
floor as possible.
VARIATION
57
POSTURE
PIGEON
BENEFITS
Energises your mind, opens your hips, stretches your
outer thighs and lengthens your spine.
VARIATION
VARIATION
58
POSTURE
FROG
BENEFITS
Relieves stress and alleviates menstrual
cramps. Opens your chest and shoulders.
59
POSTURE
MALASANA
SQUAT
BENEFITS
Builds focus and relieves tension. Tones your
abs and thighs, stretches your lower back and
Achilles tendons.
60
POSTURE
SUPTA MATSYENDRASANA
SUPINE SPINAL
TWIST
BENEFITS
Stretches your waist, and relaxes your spine
and legs to relieve tension.
61
YOGA
FOR FITNESS
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