The Residue
This past weekend our most recent Yoga Teacher Trainees graduated the 200HR YTT and became Certified Yoga Teachers. With the AYC this process takes 4 months of periodic gathering and learning together, as well as personal work and growth that occurs off the floor.
As we get closer to the end of the program the questions can often circle back to some of the early learning. Giving us moments to revisit foundational information. However, after learning in-depth about philosophy, movement principles, yin and restorative yoga (and much more), the understanding and application of the information is different. It’s a full circle moment where, on the cusp of becoming a yoga teacher, students begin to see the deeper meaning of yoga. The meaning beyond the asana practice, the way the practice on the mat seeps into our daily lives. It’s a beautiful scene to guide and watch unfold.
“The asana is not the yoga: the yoga is the residue the asana leaves in our nervous system.” – Judith Lasater
After the weekend I started to think about returning to some of the foundations of our practice. The breath, initial alignment points that differentiate poses. Exploring the benefits of forward bends, backbends, standing postures and twists; giving the opportunity to find full movement of our joints, a feel-good stretch and strength in the tissues, only to find ourselves in a rest to allow it all to settle before we leave our mats. While many yoga students may not realize, it’s the residue that we are left with that keeps us returning to the practice.
This week the practices will focus on some of the foundations of the physical asanas, an alignment of the body, breath, and mind. With the intent that the residue leaves the same alignment within our nervous system.
Let’s look ahead at how we can build our practice this week:
Breathwork Practice: Alternate nostril breathing from a comfortable seat for up to 7mins. Focusing on a controlled pace and balance of the length of breath on each side.
Asana Practice: Prone > Crocodile > Table Top > Cat/Cow > Bird/Dog > Child’s Pose > Plank > Downward Facing Dog > Standing Forward Fold (knees bent) > Low Lunge > Repeat O/S > Downward Facing Dog > Warrior II > Extended Side Angle > Reverse Warrior > Repeat O/S > Virasana > Cow’s Face (R/L) > Table Top > Cat/Cow > Runner’s Lunge > Warrior III > High Lunge > Standing Forward Fold + Twist > Repeat O/S
Remember to always practice within your own limits and take care of physical and emotional well-being. If the practice of Yin Yoga is new to you, stay tuned next month as I will be helping you explore this practice further!
Wishing to learn more about the practice of yoga? Reserve Your Spot for the next 200HR yoga Teacher Training beginning September 2025 and become a Certified Yoga Teacher. Spots are already filling. Looking for more details? Email stephaniepower.ayc@gmail.com.
If you want to share your experience with us, follow us on Instagram: @albertayogacollege
With gratitude,
-Stephanie
