Yoga for Life Part 1: A Life Lesson From Doing the Same Yoga Sequence by Melissa Hurt

I once enjoyed a yoga studio that taught the same Vinyasa sequence over 12 weeks. Some students began anticipating the poses. Others enjoyed the reliability of knowing what came next, so they stayed grounded.

Teachers of Ashtanga yoga lead students through the same sequence when exploring the primary series (or any series beyond this level) and, similarly, Bikram yoga offers the same 26 poses. There is a value and a lesson in doing the same sequence that can inform your life off the mat. (Stay tuned for Part 2!)

When doing the same poses, you give yourself time and space to not only learn them wholly, but you also dive in more deeply every time you do them. You refine your understanding of yourself and the poses every time you get in and out of it.

My Iyengar yoga teacher used to say, “It’s never another Downward Facing Dog! There’s always something different!” She’s correct. There is an infinity of sensations within and they are awaiting exploration every time you do a pose. Find the subtleties. Take this off the mat and discover something new today about your commute, your spouse or your attitude toward life as you embrace every moment as a new beginning for exploration.