Setting the Foundation
Intermediate II
In this practice with Rachel, we will set the foundation for developing a safe and effective inversion practice. This class targets key areas of the body for inversions: wrists, shoulders, hips, core, and hamstrings. Note: You will need a wall to do the practice.
This can either be done as a stand-alone class, as Day 1 of Rachel's 7-Day Inversion Challenge or as Day 5 of the Daily Dose 30-Day Intermediate Yoga Challenge.
Equipment:
Block Videos
Style:
Comments
Existing Comments
This is a terrific session, thanks.
Did this class as part of the 7-day Inversion Challenge and. now back again as part of 30-day Challenge. Love, love, love the clear, detailed, timely! cueing. Rachel explains everything so well. I love that I can listen to the cues and focus on my body alignment vs having to keep looking up at the screen to figure out the pose. Can't say enough good things about Rachel! Keep them coming, please! :)
YAY - so happy to hear that these classes are hitting the right spot in supporting your yoga practice! Happy to be practicing with you :)
Thank you Rachel! I have enjoyed your classes for years (I'm a big fan of your cheery, soothing disposition & detailed instructions!). I'm really excited for this series--the first class was quite illuminating! Looking forward to improving with my inversions with you!..... <3
Wayward Alchemist! That is the best handle I've seen ever! I love it. Yay- I look forward to hearing how the rest of the series goes for you!!
Oh my goodness! Best class EVER for clear instructions, I didn't realize all the little alignment errors I have been making. Rachel, truly all your classes have that little extra feedback that I look for. It's so difficult to perfect your technique if no one is there to correct you. So thank you, great class, I'm sore but motivated to keep learning!
Namaste
J
Hi Jewels! Sorry for late reply here - so happy to hear that you are enjoying this class!I know, I want to everyone in a livestream class so I can see everyone ;)!!
What a great class- not what I expected in a good way. Inversions are intimidating so that’s why I signed up. This worked on alignment and strengthening those little muscles you may not pay attention to. Excellent cueing
Thank you
You are so welcome!! For me, the pathway to inversions is paved with mindful details :) So great to hear~
I have a question, I don’t know if it’s because I have hypermobility but whenever I’m on my arms I don’t know if the elbows should point backwards or sideways. I feel the movement somewhat awkward when bending them for chaturangas and especially when bearing weight for some inversions. I hope you can help!
AH! Good question! Don't worry so much about where your elbows are (I know we teachers sometimes cue to the elbows, but that's kinda a shortcut....) Focus on your hands and your shoulders. Are your hands rooted - especially index knuckle and fingertips? Are your shoulder blades stable and flush to your back (not winging or scrunched together)? If your shoulders and hands are well aligned, your elbows will go where they are supposed to. Does that make sense?
Yeah! Now it makes sense. Thank you, Rachel!
I really enjoyed this class. It was challenging but you bring a brightness to the hard work. Thank you!
You're so welcome!! Look forward to hearing what you think of the other practices, too :)
thank you for the amazing and clear instructions. Looking forward to the achieving full inversion:)
So welcome! Glad you're enjoying the challenge!
Oh I didn’t like that! Hardest class ever. When I extend arms out with a block and plug shoulders back, pinky working in, I can’t raise my arms at all. Something is “in the way.” And yes very weak. What if I extend out a tad? Then lose some integrity of plugging shoulders in? I’ll play with that more. Same with the block, working thighs in and back with the tilt of tailbone causes some shaky grief. Ha. But, also I sense a bit of a “cure” and healing for lower back pain! Great class, it’s such an emotional challenge to face weakness and discomfort! Love it. Ty.
It's SOOO hard! You're not alone. Hold a strap between your hands and take your arms wider...sometimes we can get shoulder impingement going straight up if things are tight in there!
The best teacher ever! Your cues are perfect! Thank you! Cant wait for the rest of the challenge!
HA! That brightened my morning!! So glad to have you in the challenge :)
Whether I actually ever make it to inversions or not, I will happily repeat this class many many times. Thank you Rachel!
Miriam, you're welcome!! Glad you enjoyed it!
Great tutorial practice with CLEAR cues. Rachel is so wonderful at explaining placement of hands and feet. She is a gem!
Awwwwww!!! (imagine a prayer hand emoji here!)
What a marvelous first class for this series! Really highlighted and worked those tiny muscles in the arms, hips, shoulders, and core that are so necessary for safe inversions. Can't wait to continue!
Yay! Look forward to hearing your thoughts on the rest of the series!
Loved the wrist work section, overall a great class. Rachael’s cues are clear and easy to understand. The twisting a pickle jar shut metaphor was perfect. Also really appreciate that Rachael always balances out each side of the body. For example in waterfall pose Rachael has you cross your arms in both directions. I’m a bit on the ASD spectrum and feeling this specific kind of balance makes my brain happy.
I also appreciate a happy, balanced brain :) Yes - I've been loving those wrist exercises in my personal practice! I feel like they're a great antidote to desk life, too....
No surprise, Rachel is the bomb! So good. Looking forward to the rest of the week!
:) Glad you enjoyed Day 1, Jill!
Brilliant! This class really challenged me to really engage those tiny long forgotten muscles which are needed for inversions. I’m so excited about where these classes will lead me in the next week! Rachel is awesome as always, with her very detailed explanations, and visualisations of pickle jars!