beginner program
Three short sessions progress from foundational lateral movement to a modest flexibility challenge, followed by a lower-intensity recovery practice.
Practice in Daymat
Session 1
An accessible side-body sequence followed by a long, quiet finish.
Plant the hands for Gate (Preparation). Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Maintain kneeling side stretch in this shape. Express partial setup in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate (Preparation). Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Plant the hands for Gate (Preparation). Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Maintain kneeling side stretch in this shape. Express partial setup in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate (Preparation). Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin on the hands for Reverse Gate. Organize the mixed support points. Keep a strong plank-like center. Express kneeling side stretch in this shape. Organize reversed orientation in this shape. Refine Reverse Gate only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin on the hands for Reverse Gate. Organize the mixed support points. Keep a strong plank-like center. Express kneeling side stretch in this shape. Organize reversed orientation in this shape. Refine Reverse Gate only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Gate. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Establish kneeling side stretch in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From an arm-supported base for Gate. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Establish kneeling side stretch in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin on the knees for Extended Child's. Keep the knees steady on the mat. Fold from the hip creases. Maintain hips toward heels in this shape. Keep Extended intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Session 2
A moderate progression combining standing lateral shapes with seated forward-folding.
Stand tall for Triangle. Root evenly through both feet. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express extended side line in this shape. Use the breath to steady Triangle without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Stand tall for Triangle. Root evenly through both feet. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express extended side line in this shape. Use the breath to steady Triangle without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From standing for Crescent Moon. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize crescent lunge in this shape. Establish side bend in this shape. Use the breath to steady Moon without strain. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From standing for Crescent Moon. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize crescent lunge in this shape. Establish side bend in this shape. Use the breath to steady Moon without strain. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Sit down for Head to Knee I (Preparation). Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express hold the foot in this shape. Organize partial setup in this shape. Keep Head intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Sit down for Head to Knee I (Preparation). Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express hold the foot in this shape. Organize partial setup in this shape. Keep Head intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log Forward Bend. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Keep Fire intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Fire Log Forward Bend. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Keep Fire intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Session 3
Familiar lateral movement gives way to an extended restorative close.
Plant the hands for Gate (Preparation). Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Maintain kneeling side stretch in this shape. Express partial setup in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate (Preparation). Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Plant the hands for Gate (Preparation). Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Maintain kneeling side stretch in this shape. Express partial setup in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate (Preparation). Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin on the hands for Reverse Gate. Organize the mixed support points. Keep a strong plank-like center. Express kneeling side stretch in this shape. Organize reversed orientation in this shape. Refine Reverse Gate only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin on the hands for Reverse Gate. Organize the mixed support points. Keep a strong plank-like center. Express kneeling side stretch in this shape. Organize reversed orientation in this shape. Refine Reverse Gate only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Gate. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Establish kneeling side stretch in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From an arm-supported base for Gate. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Establish kneeling side stretch in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Gate. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin on the knees for Extended Child's. Keep the knees steady on the mat. Fold from the hip creases. Maintain hips toward heels in this shape. Keep Extended intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Kneel down for Child's. Support through the knees. Tip the torso forward without rounding harshly. Express hips toward heels in this shape. Keep Child's intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
