Challenging sequence norms

// a 60 minute Yin sequence

Dear Humans,

I was sixteen when I went to my first yoga studio class. My parents were lovers of the practice, so it was familiar to me. But I had never sought it out as an individual. At sixteen, I was just trying to figure out what being an individual meant.

I remember being so nervous about not knowing what to do. I was nervous about being young, too. Would I stick out like a sore thumb? Would people think I didn’t belong there?

But none of that seemed to matter. The only part I thought was truly strange was the savasana at the end. I’d never heard of one. So I didn’t understand why we were just laying there. I was really nervous that I was supposed to move or leave of my own accord, so I kept glancing around. :)

I like to look back on that younger self with compassion and think about how far she’s come. I would go on to practice regularly, and I’d always look at the yoga teachers walking around the room and think one day I’d like to be just like them.

Yoga became an anchor in my young life. It taught me important lessons right when I needed to hear them. It still does.

To this day, unrolling my yoga mat in a warm studio feels like a kind of homecoming. It’s like a big exhale. A sigh of relief. A place of comfort.

Never discount that this could be what your students experience with you, too.

When I remind myself that the yoga studio is a safe space for people, a place of love and exploration, then I can almost always channel my teaching energy into a service-mindset.

Teaching isn’t about you. It’s about them. It’s about that student who just lost a loved one and comes to your classes for comfort, even if you don’t know their story; it’s about the young woman who learns to be kinder to herself on the yoga mat; it’s about having a community to smile at when the world feels lonely or you haven’t said a word to anyone in days.

For these people, yoga is everything.

I had a powerful class with my students last night, where I read this poem, and reminded them that in my classes, they will always belong:

Dear friends, even though this is a newsletter, I hope it feels like a safe space for you, too. A place where you can seek inspiration, ask questions, perhaps connect with others. I’m right here, behind this keyboard. Feel free to reach out to me or leave a comment on any post. I’d love to hear about your journey, what’s inspiring you lately, what you’re working on, or just say hello.

For our flow this week, I’m sharing another 60 minute Yin Sequence.

I know many of you are vinyasa teachers. I am, too. But I want to offer an idea this week that by reaching into other lineages of practice, we’re able to spark even more inspiration for our teaching.

For example, is half-pigeon what you always cue for your cool-down? Maybe you take a look at some of these Yin poses and you offer supported seal instead. Or one of the other juicy, lovely postures.

Use props! Hold it for five minutes. Do your powerful flow and then drop into yin. Challenge your thinking of what a vinyasa class “should” look like.

I know some people teach at studios where there are stricter rules around what needs to be taught within a sequence, but even then there’s room to play. Ask yourself: What do I always default to? What else might I try?

See what happens.

I’ll see you next week, dear humans. Take care of yourselves. Drink water. Plant your feet on the earth. Look towards the sky.

Sending love,

Izzy

Izzy Martens

author, yoga teacher, sequence enthusiast

www.yogahumans.com

What I Taught in Yoga This Week | November 13, 2024

the write-up

• reclined supported butterfly (5 minutes)

• seated supported butterfly (5 minutes)

• windshield wipers to transition

• prone shoulder opening (3 min per side)

• supported seal (5 minutes)

• child’s pose to transition

• supported half-pigeon (3 min per side)

• windshield wipers to transition

• supported supine twist (3 min per side)

• supported bridge (5 minutes)

• savasana (10 - 15 minutes)

• *the timing of these shapes allows for a bit of slow movement within transitions

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If you’re new here – hello!

Let me introduce myself! My name is Izzy Martens and I’m just a human who teaches yoga, writes, hangs out with her two cats, hikes around Colorado, and enjoys creating yoga sequences.

Read more about the history of this newsletter, Yoga Humans, and my ethos below.