Sequence "chunks"

& a juicy mini-flow

Oct 30, 2024

∙ Paid

Dear Humans,

This is a question I get asked a lot: How long does it take you to come up with your sequences?

The true answer, these days: 10-15 minutes.

Of course, some days it takes me longer than other days. It kind of depends on my level of creative engagement, or if I’m working on something brand-new, but if I’m feeling good and what I want is straight-forward, then 10ish minutes is the average.

That might not sound like a long time. And perhaps it’s causing a series of alarm bells to go off in your brain. “Um, that’s not enough time to safely sequence.”

But let’s think about it like this:

I have a book called 2,100 Yoga Asanas. And there are more yoga poses being created all the time. But I’m not holding thousands of individual poses in my brain as I sequence.

Rather, I am holding different “mini-flows” in my brain.

By this I mean that I have a handful of small sequences (about 3-5 poses linked together through transitions) that I know I love. I’ve also learned which parts of the body these “mini-flows” target. So sequencing becomes, not so much about stringing together individual poses, rather, it becomes about stringing together sequence chunks.

For example, I have five or so “flows” that I like to find in a seated opening—some focused on side stretching, some on backbends, some on twisting, some that work all three. I also have a few main ways that I like to get into wide legged forward fold. I know a handful of small sequences that I like to offer if I’m going to cue splits. I am always shuffling through these options when I sequence, and searching for the mini-flow that best targets my focus for class.

In this way, full sequences come together quickly and easily.

Of course, this hasn’t always been the case. It’s taken me a while to learn what I like and to solidify those sequence chunks into my brain. But trust me, over time, the “yoga library” inside your mind expands.

Thinking about sequencing by using “mini flows” or sets of poses chunked together has really improved my ability to teach long sequences, to create them quickly, and stay creative. It’s easier to remember the “chunks” then it is to remember individual poses, one after the other.

Thinking about my sequences in chunks means that I can always mix and match them. Creating new orders and flows that feel unique, even if many of the elements are staying the same.

It also allows me to challenge my norms. I can think about which “chunks” (this word is starting to lose all meaning…) I’ve used regularly and which I haven’t used in a while. In fact, one of my favorite questions to ask myself is: what haven’t I done in a while? And then do that.

This isn’t necessarily the “right way” to think about your own sequencing. (I don’t really believe there is a right way.) But it’s one way.

Today, I am sharing with you the “mini-flow” that I used to open up my yoga class last week. Then, using my “chunk theory” (lol) I kept building onto it. For my paid subscribers, I share the next two flows so you can see how this transforms into a full class.

How do you think about your own sequencing, my friends? What are the tips or tricks that you use? How long does it take you? Share in the comments and we’ll keep the conversation rolling!

Izzy

Izzy Martens

author, yoga teacher, sequence enthusiast

www.yogahumans.com

What I Taught in Yoga This Week | October 30, 2024

the write-up

three legged dog
lizard lunge
rainbow reaches (works the side body)
unwind to three legged dog
three limb table
pushups x3
three legged dog
low lunge
high crescent lunge
one leg mountain (arms down)
figure four (arms up)
scarecrow
curtsey squat
scarecrow
curtsey squat
shooting star
tik-tok arms
extended mountain pose
flow through your vinyasa!

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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.

I have two more flows to share with you! Honestly, they are really fun. We are building on the blocks we set up in the mini-flow and adding on complexity and intrigue with each flow. Think pistol squats and tiger curls! (Feel free to fast forward to 47 seconds to get straight into the main-flow.)

Take a look!

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