intermediate program
Seven concise sessions combine short standing openings with linked seated forward folds. The cycle rises gradually to moderate intensity, includes a lower-intensity recovery day, and finishes with a calm integration practice.
Practice in Daymat
Session 1
A calm baseline session pairing short standing side-body work with a steady seated progression.
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.
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.
Session 2
A moderately active sequence that varies the standing opening and develops a connected seated flow.
From standing for Extended Side Angle. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Establish extended side angle in this shape. Clarify warrior stance in this shape. Use the breath to steady Angle without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From standing for Extended Side Angle. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Establish extended side angle in this shape. Clarify warrior stance in this shape. Use the breath to steady Angle without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From standing for Bound Triangle. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain bind in this shape. Express extended side line in this shape. Refine Bound Triangle only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From standing for Bound Triangle. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain bind in this shape. Express extended side line in this shape. Refine Bound Triangle only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Shoelace Forward Bend. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Express stacked knees in this shape. Refine Shoelace Forward Bend only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
From a seat for Shoelace Forward Bend. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Express stacked knees in this shape. Refine Shoelace Forward Bend only within a pain-free range. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
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.
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.
Session 3
A varied moderate session connecting broad standing movement with an orderly seated progression.
From standing for Side Wide Legged Forward Bend. Stand with even foot pressure. Hinge forward from the hips with a long spine. Organize side wide legged forward bend in this shape. Establish bend in this shape. Clarify forward in this shape. Maintain legged in this shape. Express side in this shape. Keep Side intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
From standing for Side Wide Legged Forward Bend. Stand with even foot pressure. Hinge forward from the hips with a long spine. Organize side wide legged forward bend in this shape. Establish bend in this shape. Clarify forward in this shape. Maintain legged in this shape. Express side in this shape. Keep Side intentional rather than rushed. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Stand tall for Reverse Triangle. Root evenly through both feet. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain extended side line in this shape. Express reversed orientation in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Reverse Triangle. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Stand tall for Reverse Triangle. Root evenly through both feet. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain extended side line in this shape. Express reversed orientation in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Reverse Triangle. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Begin the inversion for Head to Knee I. Press evenly through the hands. Stabilize the torso upside down. Establish hold the foot in this shape. Keep Head intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin the inversion for Head to Knee I. Press evenly through the hands. Stabilize the torso upside down. Establish hold the foot in this shape. Keep Head intentional rather than rushed. Protect the neck and come down if balance fades. 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.
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.
Session 4
A lower-intensity session using familiar pacing to support recovery and comfortable movement.
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.
From a seat for Sage Marichi's I. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize sage twist or bind in this shape. Keep Sage intentional rather than rushed. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
From a seat for Sage Marichi's I. Keep the sit bones heavy. Keep the torso upright and long. Organize sage twist or bind in this shape. Keep Sage intentional rather than rushed. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
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.
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.
Session 5
A return to moderate intensity with refreshed standing lines and linked seated folds.
From standing for Reverse Warrior. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify reversed orientation in this shape. Maintain warrior stance in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Reverse Warrior. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
From standing for Reverse Warrior. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Clarify reversed orientation in this shape. Maintain warrior stance in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Reverse Warrior. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
From standing for Bound Triangle. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain bind in this shape. Express extended side line in this shape. Refine Bound Triangle only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From standing for Bound Triangle. Stand with even foot pressure. Keep the torso upright and long. Maintain bind in this shape. Express extended side line in this shape. Refine Bound Triangle only within a pain-free range. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Sleeping Swan. Keep the sit bones heavy. Hinge forward from the hips with a long spine. Express front shin across in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Sleeping Swan. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
From a seat for Sleeping Swan. Keep the sit bones heavy. Hinge forward from the hips with a long spine. Express front shin across in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Sleeping Swan. Take one more breath, then exit without collapsing.
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.
Session 6
A consolidating moderate session that reinforces smooth transitions and even bilateral timing.
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.
Begin standing for Side Angle. Share weight through both feet. Lengthen the spine upward. Clarify extended side angle in this shape. Use the breath to steady Angle without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin standing for Side Angle. Share weight through both feet. Lengthen the spine upward. Clarify extended side angle in this shape. Use the breath to steady Angle 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.
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.
Session 7
A calm final session revisiting the cycle's central patterns with balanced, steady pacing.
Stand tall for Reverse Triangle. Root evenly through both feet. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain extended side line in this shape. Express reversed orientation in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Reverse Triangle. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
Stand tall for Reverse Triangle. Root evenly through both feet. Stack the ribs over the pelvis. Maintain extended side line in this shape. Express reversed orientation in this shape. Prefer clarity over depth in Reverse Triangle. When ready, ease out and return to a neutral base.
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.
Begin seated for Seated Gate (Preparation). Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Clarify kneeling side stretch in this shape. Maintain partial setup in this shape. Use the breath to steady (Preparation without strain. Keep the gaze soft, then step or sit out with care.
Begin seated for Seated Gate (Preparation). Settle onto the sit bones. Lengthen the spine upward. Clarify kneeling side stretch in this shape. Maintain 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.
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.
