A Guide to the Intermediate Series

A Guide to the Intermediate Series

2.5 hrs
21 videos
100% Practice

Ashtanga Yoga's Second Series, called Nadi Shodana, purifies the pranic channels of the body. The practice is intended to extend your breathing capacity and effect an energetic awakening that helps you access buddhi, the reflective, discerning, higher intelligence faculty of your mind. Become fit for dhyana, meditation; develop contemplative poise that yields dynamism, radiant health and Self knowledge. May we all continue to grow in Bhakti and Jnana.

Part 1: A traditional 1 hour and 30 minute counted vinyasa method live class that includes:
-Work on back bends such as Dhanurasana, Ustrasana and Kapotasana
-Work on deep hip-opening postures such as Eka Pada Sirsasana and Yoga Nidrasana
-Work on strength-building asanas such as Bakasana, Mayurasana, Nakrasana
-Work on inverted postures such as Pincha Mayurasana and Karandavasana
-Supplemental instruction highlighting the actions of the postures, bandhas and breathing

Part 2: Over 20 video installments giving detailed instruction for beginners through advanced practitioners in the following asanas:
-Pasasana
-Kapotasana
-Bakasana
-Eka Pada Sirsasana
-Pincha Mayurasana

A Guide to the Intermediate Series
  • Intermediate Series Traditional Counted Led Class

    This video is a a traditional 1hr and 30 minute counted vinyasa method live class of the Intermediate Series or Second Series led by David Garrigues. It includes work on back bends such as Dhanurasana, Ustrasana, and Kapotasana, deep hip opening postures such as Eka Pada Sirsasana, and Yoga Nidr...

  • Pasasana Are you Ready for Second Series

    In this short video I address the challenge of beginning Intermediate Series. It is important that you recognize different stages of growth as you gain experience through practice. Once such stage is in continuing to try your best when you come up against large seemingly insurmountable physical ...

  • Pasasana Foundations and Modifications Beginner

    In this video I teach you how to modify Pasasana so that you can begin to progress and make improvements in both balancing and lowering the heels to the earth. If you can't balance and begin to twist in the posture then a prop can aid you so that eventually you'll begin to leg foundation and mov...

  • Pasasana Intermediate to Advanced

    In this video I teach you how to further refine Pasasana. I give you ideas how to enhance stabilization of the legs and feet so that you can continue to explore the twist.

  • Pasasana Understanding Bandhas through Pasasana

    In this video I discuss the importance of centering yourself directly over your foot foundation in Pasasana. Understanding the bandhas is vital to your progress in Pasasana and this video will teach you how to cultivate and work with them.

  • Kapotasana or King Pigeon Posture Basic Foundational Principles (Beginner)

    In this video I teach you the basic actions of the spine and the foundational principles of the legs so that you can begin to make an attempt at this deep backbend.

  • Kapotasana or King Pigeon Posture Develop with Blocks

    Blocks are an incredible tool in this posture. If you are struggling lowering to the ground with control and maintaining the leg foundation the blocks will help you progress and begin to improve in this backbend. One of the keys to developing the posture is learning how to stay blocks allow you...

  • Kapotasana or King Pigeon Posture Keep Spine Centered over Foundation

    One of the key principles to executing Kapotasana is building a powerful centered foundation through your legs. This exercise helps you understand how to use the legs so that your spine can be free to safely lengthen in the posture.

  • Kapotasana or King Pigeon Posture Refine foundation (Intermediate to Advanced)

    The legs splaying out wider than the hips causes the student to lose their leg foundation in this deep backbend. In this exercise the student will understand the positioning of the legs and how a powerful foundation is what creates the spine to lengthen.

  • Kapotasana Advanced Work with Wall

    In this video I give instruction for using the wall to help refine the leg foundation. This video is advanced and challenging.

  • Bakasana Foundational Principles Beginner

    Bakasana is a gateway posture. The understanding of this posture gives you the tools to execute any arm balance. In this video I teach you what the foundational principles are and how you stabilize and create an earth connection in this dynamic posture.

  • Bakasana Jump into posture

    In this video I provide instructions for setting up and executing a dynamic jump into Bakasana. I also provide images that create helpful mental pictures of the jump and lastly I demonstrate the jump.

  • Bakasana Relationship to Bandhas

    In this video I discuss how the rounded back Bakasana shape can help you experience the three major internal energetic locks, mula, uddiyana and jalandhara bandhas. Through Bakasana you can learn to better align your spinal column over the pelvis and this helps to prevent the tendency to over li...

  • Bakasana Awareness in Chaturanga, jump back and Bhujapidasana

    The imagery that helps you create the characteristic rounded back shape in Bakasana can also help you figure out how to develop other postures that require upper body strength. For example Chaturanga Dandasana is an important posture for developing arm power and upper body strength and the key i...

  • Eka Pada Sirsasana Foundation and Modifications

    In this video I help you understand the actions and movement of the legs, hips and pelvis so that you can begin to take you leg behind your head. A proper understanding of this posture is crucial to prevent pain in the lower back.

  • Eka Pada Sirsasana Intermediate Work

    In this video I give instruction for clarifying the grounded leg and hip foundation for Eka Pada Sirsasana. I give tips for how to safely and effectively think about the positioning of the leg that will go behind the head in relationship to the hip and foundation. I also speak about keeping the ...

  • Eka Pada Sirsasana Develop Jump Back

    In this video I teach you how to further develop the rhythm and timing so that you can execute a dynamic and smooth jump back from Eka Pada Sirsasana.

  • Eka Pada Sirsasana Advanced Work

    Once you have a real understanding of how to activate the hips then you can start to refine Eka Pada Sirsasana. In this video I teach you how to further develop in the posture.

  • Pincha Mayurasana Develop Balance (Beginner, Intermediate)

    For a beginner to make a start at Pincha Mayurasana they need to understand how to stabilize and create a powerful foundation in the hands, forearms and shoulder girdle. In this video I teach the principles to the posture and teach you how to use the wall so that you can make a start at balancing.

  • Pincha Mayurasana Use wall to find central axis

    If you are having trouble balancing in this posture or if you are afraid of falling the wall is an excellent resource. You can safely build the physical and mental strength that is needed to execute this posture. In this video I teach you how to use the wall safely and how to continue to clarify...

  • Pincha Mayurasana Clarify Central Axis (Advanced)

    Pincha Mayurasana is a foundational inversion. The key to so many advanced postures is within this inversion. For an advanced student it is essential that they know how to refine the posture. In this video I teach how to continue to clarify the central axis and the keys that truly stabilize the...