Asanas Flashcards
Mountain/Tadasana
Feet Hip Width Ground 4 corners of feet into Earth Shoulders away from ears Lift Knee Caps Draw in chin
Goddess/Deviasana
Wide Stance (3-4 ft)
Both feet and legs turn out 45 degrees
Lift toes and press 4 corners of feet into Earth, release toes
Navel to spine
Shoulders relaxed
Arms to your sides, parallel to Earth, palms up
Bend elbows 90 degrees, turn palms forward
Exhale, bend knees and lower pelvis
Knees over ankles
Kneecaps same direction as toes
Warrior 2/Virabhadrasana 2
Wide stance Back foot 45 degree; front foot forward Front Heel to back arch alignment Lift knees Exhale, bend knee over ankle, keeping middle toes facing forward Release tailbone down as you lift torso up Inhale raise arms to shoulder height Shoulders relax Navel to spine
Warrior 1/Virabhadrasana 1
Wide stance Back foot 45 degrees Front heel in line with back arch Exhale, bend front knee over ankle Middle toes of front leg forward Energetically draw feet to each other Release tailbone and lift torso Shoulders away from ears Inhale arms to shoulder height, parallel to Earth Navel into spine Anchor into back heel
Extended Side Angle/Parshvakonasana
From Warrior 2:
Feet and heel grounded
Bend torso laterally over your Right thigh
Rest Right arm on your Right thigh
Left arms on hip
Front knee over ankle, body creating diagonal line from heel to crown
Lengthen along line and rotate chest
Navel to spine
Bring Left arm to the sky and follow your diagonal line
Rotate pink side of hand down (palms to Earth)
Gaze up
Bring Right hand down to Earth (if you choose)
Triangle/Trikonasana
Wide stance
Right foot at 90 degrees, Left at 30 degrees
Anchor into back heel
Activate your legs by lifting knee caps
Lift your ribs evenly
Bring Left arm to Left hip
Bring Right arm up and out to shoulder height
Keep sides of your torso even and parallel to the Earth
Guide your Right arm to the wall in front of you, while hinging your torso over your leg
Bring your torso down (as far as you can), don’t curve your waist/ribs
Navel to spine
Place Right hand on shin/block/inside of outer leg
Press into the back foot and lengthen lower waist
Rotate chest and extend Left arm straight up
Energetically push your arms away from one another
Head to Knee/Parshvottanasana
Feet 3-4 feet apart
Right foot at 90, Left heel at 60
Front heel to back heel aligned (or a bit wider if needed)
Press into 4 corners of your feet evenly
Hands to hips, rotate hips and exhale bringing them both to facing front
Inhaling as they come to the front
Lift knee caps/activate thighs
Release tailbone down to create space in low back
Inhale, grounding feet into Earth and lengthen through Crown
Navel to spine
Hands in prayer or behind back
Gently arch back/neck and keep head aligned with spine
Exhale and flex forward, hinge hips
Slowly descend, lengthening spine with each inhale
Cat/Cow
Sandharasana/Marjariasana
Come to Table Top
Wrists under shoulders and knees under hips
Tent palms (pressing each finger and base of hand into Earth)
Shoulders away from ears
Chest wide
Press into Earth and rotate biceps forward
Microbend in elbows
Press knees and tops of feet into Earth
Lengthen crown to tailbone
Inhale Cow/Exhale Cat
Chattaranga Dadasana
Front table, wrists under shoulders and knees under hips
Spread fingers wide, pressing down to Tent palm
Biceps face front, microbend in elbows
Widen your shoulders and bring them down away from your ears
Lengthen from tailbone to crown
Extend Left leg straight back, Right Leg back, curling toes and extending through your heel
Head to Knee (Standing)/Parshvottanasana
Feet 3-4 feet apart
Right foot at 90, Left heel at 60
Heel to Heel alignment (or a bit wider if needed)
Create strong foundation by pressing 4 corners of feet evenly into Earth
Hands to your hips and rotate hips
Exhale, hips so each side faces front, inhale as they open to the side
Lift knee caps
Release tailbone down to create space in your low back
Press feet into Earth and lengthen through crown
Navel to spine
Hands in prayer/behind back
Shoulders away from ears
Open chest
Inhale, grounding feet and lengthening spine
Exhale ,flex forward hinging at hips
Slowly descent, lead with hear, lengthen spine with each inhale and deepen your bend on exhales
Down Dog/Adho Mika Svanasana
Begin in table, shoulders above wrists and hips above knees
Spread fingers wide, press through base of palms and fingers (tent palms)
Exhale, curling toes under.
Left sits bones/hips high into the air, your heel raised from the floor while keeping your knees bent
Peddle feet
Press tailbone up and back creating long line from wrists to coccyx
Gaze between your feet
If your spine is rounding bend your knees a bit
Create a long line of energy from wrists to tailbone
Press hands into Earth and rotate biceps forward
Widen shoulders to create space between them
Chair/Utkatasana
From mountain, lift and spread toes, grounding 4 corners of your feet
Set toes down, feet active
Lift knee caps, draw shoulders away from ears and widen to create space
Exhale, bend knees and lower as if you were sitting on a chair
Navel to spine
Hands rise above head, in line with torso
Chin back slightly
Inhale, drawing breath up from your tailbone to crown of head
Exhale the air back down and release any tension in body
Staff/Dandasana
Begin in a seated position, legs extended in front of you
Place hands on Earth next to your hips, fingers facing forward
Ground sits bones and keep torso upright and tall
Press out through the heels to activate thighs
Lift knee cap, drawing toes back towards you and drawing thighs up
Rotate thighs inward
Lengthen torso and lift rib cage
Chine slightly back, gaze forward, lift crown
Inhale and bring arms overhead with palms turned towards each other
Boat/Paripura Navasana
Begin seated, knees bent and soles of feet on floor hip width apart
Lengthen spine and lean back slightly so your torso and thighs create the shape of a V
Keep your core engaged, lift your legs parallel to ground
You can hold back of your thighs for support
When you feel balanced, bring arms in front of you at shoulder height
Extend through finger tips and draw upper arms back and into shoulders
Chin in slightly, gaze forward
Straighten legs and stretch through your heels
Flex your feet and pull your toes towards your body
Keep your legs and feet hip width apart
Upward Facing (Supine) Plank/Purvottasana
Begin in staff, bring your hands 1 hand length back
Tent palms
Shoulders away from ears
Widen shoulder blades creating space in the back body by rotating/pressing your forearms towards each other
Press hands into Earth and lengthen your spine
Exhale and press the soles of your feet into the Earth
Inhale and lift your hips, grounding the soles of your feet
Neck, head rest downward behind you
Rotate thighs inward