FEBRUARY 2 2026 - “The Energy Without”
This week, we continued our exploration of the yogic concepts of sound and breath and how these two elements can combine to create a deeper, more energy-rich movement practice. In previous classes, we worked with ujjayi breath, playful partner work, and root to rise (R2R) to explore how we amplify energy in ourselves, as well as with the vibrational sound of breath itself as a means to connect with those around us. In this practice we added the concept of shabda, the sound/vibration/energy of the world external to us. We made the comparison between shabda and forest bathing (shinrinyoku) in that we can be in a constant relationship of mutual energetic nourishment with the world around us.
We began lying on our backs in a supported position with the intent to breathe fully into the 360 degree container of the lungs and rib cage. From there, we:
Rocked along the sacrum in each direction.
Stretched our hamstrings by looping a strap around one foot while keeping the other knee bent or extending out along the mat.
We began warming up with:
Ujjayi breathing review
Spinal movements in table top - flexion, extension, and circles
Side bending with our hands behind our heads, and using our abs to change sides
Downward dog, forward fold, and half forward fold to warm our legs and glutes
Afterwards, we explored a lunging and triangle series:
A knee down lunge to open our hip flexor muscles (the front of the hip)
A long lunge (knee up) with our hands on a block and then twisting and rotating
The triangle (trikonasana) series began with warrior II (virabhadrasana II), in which we practiced R2R by pulsing in between a straight and bent knee position. From there, we went into triangle itself, using R2R in our front leg to add more height and rotation to the pose.
Afterwards, we practice temple pose, a balance posture in a turned out squatting position where we lift and lower the heels.
The next triangle pose we did at the wall, exploring the upper body. We lined up our front foot close to the wall to find the distance to the wall where we could extend our elbows fully and then pushed into the wall to find both length in the spine as well as the powerful extension of the back leg.
Our last posture before cool down and breathing was locust pose (salabhasana). We partnered up again to find more height in the pose.
We then moved into partnered breathing work by sitting against our partner’s back and synchronizing our ujjayi breath with the other’s, feeling the movement of the rib cage against each other and listening for their breath. It seemed to go over well :) Then we had a nice long savasana.
Saprema (with warmest affection) everyone. Thanks again for being there!