beginner program
Three 30-minute beginner sessions progress from foundational flexibility to a measured challenge and conclude with a gentler recovery practice.
Practice in Daymat
Session 1
A steady foundation of lateral movement followed by balanced seated flexibility.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Settle onto the sit bones with the legs crossed and the spine stacked upright. Rest the hands on the thighs, let the knees settle without forcing them, and keep the crown of the head lifting. Switch which shin is in front if the hips feel uneven.
Begin seated for Easy Forward Bend. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Maintain crossed legs in this shape. Use the breath to steady Bend without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Session 2
A moderate progression with one optional challenge in the main phase.
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.
Sit down for Head to Knee III (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. Use the breath to steady (Preparation without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Sit down for Head to Knee III (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. Use the breath to steady (Preparation without strain. 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Settle onto the sit bones with the legs crossed and the spine stacked upright. Rest the hands on the thighs, let the knees settle without forcing them, and keep the crown of the head lifting. Switch which shin is in front if the hips feel uneven.
Begin seated for Easy Forward Bend. Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Maintain crossed legs in this shape. Use the breath to steady Bend without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Session 3
A lower-intensity consolidation session with a longer, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Open the knees toward the sides of the mat and fold the torso between the thighs. Let the forehead rest and guide the hips toward the heels so the spine can round. Keep the belly quiet and the inner thighs heavy. Walk the hands back toward the knees if they need relief.
