Dear Humans,
Today I’m sharing an infinity mandala flow.
This is an intermediate sequence that takes you on a full circle of your yoga mat, and it moves seamlessly from one side into the next side without a connecting vinyasa. (Watch the video to see what I mean!).
It’s kind of a wild ride, so the focus of today’s letter is on breaking down the mechanics of the flow and offering up certain things to keep in mind when you’re teaching it.
I’ve also shared two preparatory flows with my paid subscribers—a class opener and a mini flow—these two sequences will help prepare the students for the main sequence, in both body and mind.
Since it’s a more technically-focused letter today, I wanted to leave you with this reading, which you might feel inspired to offer in your own classes.
For me, this reading is a reminder that the pace of life is constant. It doesn’t cease. But through mindful and intentional acts, we can turn moments of our lives into sanctuaries, into ceremonies, into prayers.
A fundamental idea of yoga is that we are seeking union with the spiritual rhythm of life. The connectedness that is within all things. To me, this reading captures that attempt. I hope you enjoy it. <3
Notes about today’s sequence
Today’s main flow is an infinity flow—this essentially means that the sequence transitions seamlessly from one side into the next side, with no connecting vinyasa (chaturanga, upward facing dog, downward facing dog) in between.
The most important thing to keep in mind when trying to teach an infinity flow is when and where the leading leg switches. In this sequence we begin in three legged dog with the right leg high, and in order to switch sides we need to end up in three legged dog with the left leg high. If you scroll to the 47-57 second mark in the video, you can see where this transition is happening.
This is an infinity flow, and it’s also a mandala flow, which means you make a full circle of your yoga mat. In order to circle the mat you have to make sure you keep leading with the same leg you started with when you are facing backwards. This is different from what I’m saying above, but I know it’s confusing, so take a moment to think about the differences.
Take a look at the 33-43 second mark in the video. When we started the flow, the right leg was leading. As we circle to the back of the mat, the left leg is now in front. But we need to bring the right leg back to the leading position to create the circle. So we step back into high plank, find some side planks, and then we lift the right leg and bring it into modified side plank. This causes us to face the other side of the mat.
*Watch the video and practice in your own body to see and understand how it happens!*
There’s another funky transition that inspired class. It’s the three legged dog to lizard lunge to primal squat to three legged dog sequence.
These transitions can be tricky to cue, which is why in the mini-flow I provided for paid subscribers, I show you how I would foreshadow these movements. Meaning, I would teach them slowly, and likely demo them, so the students already have an idea of where they are headed by the time they encounter these transitions in the main sequence.
You’ll see in the mini-flow that I first teach primal squat from table top, which is an easier place to access the shape. I also introduce the one leg plank to modified side plank movements.
If it feels too challenging to introduce both of these new transitions in one class, then just pick one of them.
Once you get the hang of mandala and infinity flows, you’ll find that they actually can be pretty intuitive, and your students will likely love them.
Treat them lightly. Teach them slowly. Don’t discount yourself or your students in introducing them. It’s a challenge, but a good stretch opportunity if you’re looking for one.
Questions? I’d love to hear from you.
My friends, I am headed to a festival this weekend, where there will be music, yoga, and I hope a lot of love and laughter. I’m always very inspired when I return. I hope I’ll have a lot to share with you next time.
Until then, be well, dear humans.
With love,
Izzy
Izzy Martens
author, yoga teacher, sequence enthusiast
@yoga.humans | @martensizzy
What I Taught in Yoga This Week | September 3, 2025
the write-up:
three legged dog
lizard lunge
primal squat
three legged dog
repeat
standing L
shiva squat
forward fold
extended mountain
chair plane
revolved chair
option to extend arms
forward fold
standing L
high crescent lunge
warrior two (back of the mat)
dancing warrior
reverse warrior
low lunge
high plank
flowing side planks
one leg high plank
modified side plank
gate
table with gate leg
knees together
toe squat
camel sweeps
table with gate leg (other leg)
unwind to top of mat
knee to nose
three legged dog
move straight into the flow on the other side, that's why it's an infinity flow!
As mentioned above, both the class opener and the mini flow offered below provide important foreshadowing and prep for the main sequence. In the class opening, we intentionally start in a kneeling shape that mimics the hero’s poses and toe squats ahead. We also find some initial twists and warm up the wrists. I covered the importance of the mini flow above, but it’s a really helpful sequence to use to slowly introduce the complex transitions. Enjoy!
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