intermediate program
Seven ten-minute sessions progress from accessible supported balance work through coordinated intermediate challenges, with a lighter fourth day and a focused final session.
Practice in Daymat
Session 1
An accessible opening session emphasizing even bilateral support and patient pacing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From an arm-supported base for One Legged Table. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Express raised leg in this shape. Keep One intentional rather than rushed. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
From an arm-supported base for One Legged Table. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Express raised leg in this shape. Keep One intentional rather than rushed. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Sit down for Bound Angle. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express bind in this shape. Organize soles of the feet together in this shape. Refine Bound Angle only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Session 2
A familiar opening leads into one intermediate coordination challenge and one supported balance pattern.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Plant the hands for Balancing Table. Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Organize rounded spine in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Balancing Table. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Plant the hands for Balancing Table. Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Organize rounded spine in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Balancing Table. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Downward-Facing Dog with Hamstring Stretch. Keep every contact point honest. Keep the torso organized while inverted. Express alternating bent knee in this shape. Organize inverted v shape in this shape. Use the breath to steady Stretch without strain. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Downward-Facing Dog with Hamstring Stretch. Keep every contact point honest. Keep the torso organized while inverted. Express alternating bent knee in this shape. Organize inverted v shape in this shape. Use the breath to steady Stretch without strain. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Sit down for Staff. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain legs extended forward in this shape. Refine Staff only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Session 3
Two equal-sided intermediate efforts develop controlled lifting and focused stability.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Plant the hands for Balancing Table. Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Organize rounded spine in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Balancing Table. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Plant the hands for Balancing Table. Share load across the contact points. Brace lightly through the core. Organize rounded spine in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Balancing Table. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Plant the hands for One Legged Dolphin. Press the forearms while the feet stay active. Maintain inverted torso control. Express forearm support in this shape. Organize raised leg in this shape. Keep One intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Plant the hands for One Legged Dolphin. Press the forearms while the feet stay active. Maintain inverted torso control. Express forearm support in this shape. Organize raised leg in this shape. Keep One intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Sit down for Bound Angle. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express bind in this shape. Organize soles of the feet together in this shape. Refine Bound Angle only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Session 4
A lower-complexity session preserves coordination while allowing the weekly effort to soften.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin on the hands for Table with Knee to Forehead. Organize the mixed support points. Keep a strong plank-like center. Establish knee toward forehead in this shape. Use the breath to steady Forehead without strain. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Begin on the hands for Table with Knee to Forehead. Organize the mixed support points. Keep a strong plank-like center. Establish knee toward forehead in this shape. Use the breath to steady Forehead without strain. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
From an arm-supported base for Plank on the Knees with Knee to Forehead. Keep hands and the grounded knee active. Keep the torso organized while inverted. Establish inverted v shape in this shape. Clarify knee toward forehead in this shape. Maintain plank shape in this shape. Keep Plank intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Plank on the Knees with Knee to Forehead. Keep hands and the grounded knee active. Keep the torso organized while inverted. Establish inverted v shape in this shape. Clarify knee toward forehead in this shape. Maintain plank shape in this shape. Keep Plank intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Sit down for Staff. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain legs extended forward in this shape. Refine Staff only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Session 5
Side-oriented support and controlled lifting rebuild the challenge after recovery.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin on the hands for Side Forearm Plank. Support through the forearms and feet. Stabilize the torso upside down. Clarify forearm support in this shape. Maintain plank shape in this shape. Use the breath to steady Plank without strain. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Begin on the hands for Side Forearm Plank. Support through the forearms and feet. Stabilize the torso upside down. Clarify forearm support in this shape. Maintain plank shape in this shape. Use the breath to steady Plank without strain. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Plant the hands for One Legged Dolphin. Press the forearms while the feet stay active. Maintain inverted torso control. Express forearm support in this shape. Organize raised leg in this shape. Keep One intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Plant the hands for One Legged Dolphin. Press the forearms while the feet stay active. Maintain inverted torso control. Express forearm support in this shape. Organize raised leg in this shape. Keep One intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Sit down for Bound Angle. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express bind in this shape. Organize soles of the feet together in this shape. Refine Bound Angle only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Session 6
Cross-body action and asymmetrical support refine coordination without adding more peak efforts.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From an arm-supported base for Plank with Knee to Opposite Tricep. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Organize hold the ankles in this shape. Establish plank shape in this shape. Refine Plank with Knee to Opposite Tricep only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Plank with Knee to Opposite Tricep. Keep every contact point honest. Hold a firm midsection between the supports. Organize hold the ankles in this shape. Establish plank shape in this shape. Refine Plank with Knee to Opposite Tricep only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Three Legged Downward-Facing Dog with Hip Opener. Keep every contact point honest. Keep the torso organized while inverted. Establish inverted v shape in this shape. Clarify raised leg in this shape. Maintain stacked hips in this shape. Use the breath to steady Opener without strain. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From an arm-supported base for Three Legged Downward-Facing Dog with Hip Opener. Keep every contact point honest. Keep the torso organized while inverted. Establish inverted v shape in this shape. Clarify raised leg in this shape. Maintain stacked hips in this shape. Use the breath to steady Opener without strain. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Sit down for Staff. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain legs extended forward in this shape. Refine Staff only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Session 7
A focused peak pair integrates the week's balance and strength work before a quiet finish.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Fire Log. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify stacked shins in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Fire Log. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Shoelace with Eagle Arms. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain eagle arms in this shape. Express eagle wrap in this shape. Organize stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Arms without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Rock the Baby. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize cradled leg in this shape. Keep Rock intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Shoelace. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Express stacked knees in this shape. Use the breath to steady Shoelace without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Plant the palms under the shoulders and hook the knees on the upper arms. Tip the chest forward until the toes leave the floor, keeping the elbows close and the gaze a little ahead of the hands. Squeeze the inner thighs toward the arms without rounding the neck. Lower the toes back to the mat before the wrists fatigue.
Begin balancing for Floating Stick. Press evenly through the hands. Lengthen the spine upward. Clarify staff balance in this shape. Keep Floating intentional rather than rushed. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
Sit down for Bound Angle. Ground through both sit bones. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Express bind in this shape. Organize soles of the feet together in this shape. Refine Bound Angle only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
