Setting up a Slow Yoga Practice – Is the Pause More Important That the Pose?

Notes and Reflections from a Workshop I Facilitated at the Origins Centre Aug 7 – Aug 10, 2022

Notes and reflections from a workshop I facilitated at the Origins Center Aug 7 – Aug 10, 2022. https://www.circlework.training/events/setting-up-a-slow-yoga-practice

Why do we want to practice slowly?

“Slowness of movement is the key to awareness, and awareness is the key to learning…. Slower movement leads to more subtle observation…so that more change is possible.” (Doidge 2016)

Slow yoga asana practice offers a compassionate avenue to access movement safely.

Slow movement builds awareness and awareness is the key to change. Going slow means you can focus and pay more attention to the feeling.

Slow movement engages the parasympathetic nervous system and that in turn supports a calm mind and relaxed body.

Some of the ideas and movement we practiced included;

1) Setting up for practice. What is your reference point for moving? Finding your center. Vertical bobbing, Horizontal abdominal breathing. Rocking.

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2) Setting up for practice. Vertical activation, back and side extension.

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3) Leg activation and balance

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4) A simple vinyasa

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Doidge, N. (2016). The Brain's Way of Healing: Remarkable Discoveries and Recoveries from the Frontiers of Neuroplasticity. Penguin Life.

Thanks to Jai for shooting these clips and helping with the audio.