In this first of a sequence of posts about asana sequences, I present Ganesh (made of felt by Mars Parker). Ganesh, being associated with the root chakra, invokes my relationship to the earth, grounding, physical health and abundance, and of course hatha yoga. Ganesh is also associated with overcoming obstacles and is often invoked in beginnings, which to me somehow translates to physical transformation, again coming back to hatha yoga.
I’m posting these asana sequences not as instructional tools. They are my brainstorming on opening and closing (working up to a pose and counterposes). I present them for use of any kind, as I believe that information should be open and available. Enjoy!
Sequence 1, 7/7/07. Lotus Headstand.
Twisting lunges to open the hips and shoulders. Vashistasana to warm the shoulders and side body. Warrior for more hips and to open the fronts of the legs and back. Standing sequence continues to open the legs and hips, with more twisting for the shoulders and sides of the ribs. The standing sequence also starts to work the belly with forward folding and twisting. Galavasana and bakasana for more intense warming and opening of the upper back, shoulders, and hips. Dolphin as a final preparation for headstand.
Lotus headstand. Hips and legs were opened for the lotus. The side body was worked and opened to encourage length of the torso in the inversion. The upper back and shoulders must be warm and open for headstand to prevent crunching the neck. The belly was twisted and lengthened because when it comes down to it this is a detox sequence. The legs in lotus stretch the fronts and sides of the hips, and this lengthening continues into the front and sides of the belly and into the rib cage. The inverted position combined with the length from the very bottom of the abdomen to the solar plexus allows space to be found deep inside the torso.
Just for fun, a close-up of some especially amusing stick figures:
Child’s pose, Gomukhasana, and Pigeon continue the work of opening the hips and shoulders and compressing the belly, in a more gentle fashion. Pigeon finds length through the fronts of the hips and legs as a preparation for wheel. Wheel because … why not? Janu Shirshasana with a twist counterposes wheel. Shoulderstand and fish as final cooling postures. I’d probably throw a reclining twist in there before savasana.