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Second Series
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Strike a Yoga Pose: Noose
This majestic and stable looking pose is a great way to open your shoulders, work the muscles in your feet and lower legs, and also challenges your sense of balance.
Sanskrit Name: Pasasana
English Translation: Noose Pose
Also Called: Twisting Bound Squat
This is a tough pose so to learn an easier modification read more
A Little Sanskrit Lesson: Counting
The thing I love about Ashtanga yoga classes is that they are the same every time you go. Same poses, same order, same amount of breaths in each pose, and the class is always an hour and a half. There are no surprises, so you always know what to expect.
Class Act: Mysore
If you're checking out classes at an Ashtanga yoga studio, you may come across a class called Mysore.
In a Mysore style yoga class, you lead yourself, following your own breath and a series of memorized poses, either First Series or Second Series. If you are an advanced practitioner, you may even do Third Series.
Move it at Home: David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga - Second and Third Series
You know how much I love David Swenson's Ashtanga Yoga First Series DVD, but I love his Second and Third Series DVD even more.
Many Ashtanga yoga teachers have made First Series videos, but it's tough to find a video that explains Second Series.
David Swenson takes you through this ancient and challenging series of yoga poses.
Class Act: Ashtanga Yoga's Second Series
Do you remember this pose? It was one of the yoga challenges called Crow pose. It's part of Second Series in Ashtanga yoga, known as Nadi Shodina, which means nerve purification.
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Strike a Yoga Pose: 7 Headstands
In Ashtanga Yoga, there are a total of seven headstands in Second Series. Some are more challenging than others, but with a little practice, you can master them all. At first, try doing all seven separately, and when you feel stable enough, try moving through all seven without letting your feet touch the ground.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Palms Up Headstand
One of the reasons I'm a huge fan of Ashtanga Yoga is the many variations of headstand involved in the practice — seven to be exact. Palms Up Headstand is the sixth in the Ashtanga headstand series. I'm not going to lie to you; this one is pretty tough.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Tripod Headstand
Yoga is full of variety. One pose can offer many variations — even something as simple as standing on your head. I have introduced you all to the four variations of headstand found in Ashtanga Yoga.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Pinching Shoulders Headstand
So we're finally up to the fourth headstand in Ashtanga Yoga. The first one is Bound Headstand, followed by Double Arm Headstand, and the third is Forearm Headstand.
Sanskrit Name: Baddha Hasta Sirsasana D
English Translation: Bound Hands Headstand Posture D
Also Called: Pinching Shoulders Headstand
To find out how to get into this pose read more
Strike a Yoga Pose: Forearm Headstand
Of all the balancing poses, headstands might just be my favorite. They're challenging and work the upper body as well as the abs, but I also love that there are so many variations of the pose. In Ashtanga Yoga, there are actually seven different headstands.
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