Zipping into the Second Series (or not)

Sunday I had the pleasure to take Cathy Yoshimura's three hour workshop on the Ashtanga Second Series at Yoga on High in Columbus, OH. Although I practice the Primary Series several times a week, and have occasionally practiced certain asanas from the second series in various vinyasa classes, this was my first formal approach to the second series as a whole.

For those unfamiliar with Ashtanga, it is a form of yoga that "is based on a specialized sequencing of postures and focused breathing techniques." (David Swenson's Ashtanga Practice Manual, p. 6) The primary series is most commonly practiced as it is the most approachable. The poses are challenging, but not impossible (for the most part!). The second series, however, is a different story for mere mortals like myself. The second series builds on the foundation created by the primary series.

According to Swenson (pictured left), the Second Series is a nerve-cleansing practice due to the number of backbending postures. He writes in his Practice Manual,

"Our spine is the housing for our nerve center. By bending and twisting the spinal column, we are encouraging and maintaining suppleness on a physical level as well as opening energy channels to allow prana to flow freely on the subtle plane. This cleansing and toning occurs in each of the four series of Ashtanga Yoga. The Intermediate Series is particularly focused in the energetic regions of the spine, pelvis and hips."

While many of the traditional Ashtangis are fairly dogmatic in their approach to learning and mastering these asanas, Cathy's outlook was slightly more unconventional. She encouraged us to work incrementally, using blocks, straps and the wall when necessary, and listen to our own bodies as we worked our way into the poses. She did not push or crank us into any posture for which we were not ready.

It was a great introduction for me to the Second Series and made these postures a little less daunting. I am not sure that I ready to practice the series as a whole on a regular basis, but I will definitely start practicing some of the methods that Cathy suggested for individual asanas.

Today's workout:
30 min. hill interval run (3.0 mi)
60 min. ballet body class
50 min. heart-opening yoga