Yoga for Warriors

List of Figures

Preface

Introduction

Warrior Awareness

How Yoga Can Help

Tips on Taking a Yoga Class

Special Tips for Warriors with Physical Limitation or Disability

Introducing the Warriors Photographed in this Book

CHAPTER ONE The Peaceful Warrior

Getting Your Attention in Present Time

Body and Mind Together

Mindful Awareness

Gaining Control through Observation

The Source of This Path

CHAPTER TWO Expand into Victory: Basic Breath Work

Stimulating or Relaxing the Nervous System

The Sound of the Ujjayi Breath

Practicing the Ujjayi Breath

CHAPTER THREE Build the Fire: Sun Salutations

Preparation for Asana Practice

Sun Salutation (Positions 1–9)

Closing Your Sun Salutation Practice

A Healing Flow

CHAPTER FOUR Develop Power and Balance: Standing Postures

Practice is Life-Changing

Preparation for the Standing Postures

The Standing Postures

Doing the Work

CHAPTER FIVE Find Strength in Letting Go: Forward and Backward Bending

Raising the Bar with the Bandhas

Forward and Backward Bending

Set 1: Forward Bending Postures

Set 2: Backward Bending Postures

Powerful Things Happen in Relaxation Posture

CHAPTER SIX Coming to Balance: Cooling Down

Turning Upside Down

The Three Closing Lotus Postures

Rest: At Ease

CHAPTER SEVEN Connect Body and Mind: Conscious Breathing

Where Attention Goes, Prana Follows

How Pranayama Builds on Your Asana Practice

Burning Out Samskaras to Remove Inner Obstacles

Preparation for Pranayama Practice

Overview of Pranayama Practice

Learning Acceptance

CHAPTER EIGHT Turn Inward: The Practice of Yoga Nidra, or Conscious Sleep

Relaxation: The First Step

Conscious Sleeping

Slowing the Brain Waves

Releasing Traumatic Samskaras (Imprints)

Recasting the Mind

Why Do Yoga Nidra?

Planting Seeds by Setting an Intention

Integrating Yoga Nidra: No Worries

CHAPTER NINE The Path to the True Self: Finding Peace in Meditation

From Concentration to Meditation

How Meditation Helps

Preparation for Meditation

Establishing a Daily Meditation Practice

CHAPTER TEN Seeking Higher Self: The Journey Within

Glossary—What Do Those Sanskrit Words Mean?

Acknowledgments

Selected Bibliography

About the Author

About Give Back Yoga

About Sounds True

Copyright
FIGURES

I.1

    

Seated Twist Posture

I.2

  

Thanks to Our Warrior Yoga Models

I.3

  

Thanks to Our Warrior Yoga Models

3.1

  

Mountain Posture

3.2

  

Sun Salutation, Position 1

3.3

  

Sun Salutation, Position 2

3.4

  

Sun Salutation, Position 2, Advanced

3.5

  

Sun Salutation, Position 2, Incorrect

3.6

  

Sun Salutation, Position 3

3.7

  

Sun Salutation, Position 4

3.8

  

Sun Salutation, Position 4, Advanced

3.9

  

Sun Salutation, Position 4, Modified

3.10

  

Sun Salutation, Position 5

3.11

  

Sun Salutation, Position 5, Modified

3.12

  

Sun Salutation, Position 6

3.13

  

Sun Salutation, Position 7

3.14

  

Sun Salutation, Position 8

3.15

  

Sun Salutation, Position 9

3.16

  

Mountain Posture

3.17

  

Sun Salutation Flow

3.18

  

Bridge Posture

3.19

  

Bridge Posture, Advanced

3.20

  

Supine Knees to Chest Posture

3.21

  

Supine Knees to Chest Twist Posture

3.22

  

Relaxation Posture

3.23

  

Relaxation Posture, Modified

4.1

  

Triangle Posture

4.2

  

Extended Side Angle Posture

4.3

  

Revolved Side Angle Posture

4.4

  

Expanded Leg Forward Bend A Posture

4.5

  

Expanded Leg Forward Bend B Posture

4.6

  

Expanded Leg Forward Bend B Posture, Modified

4.7

  

Standing Knee to Chest Posture, Position A

4.8

  

Standing Knee to Chest Posture, Position B

4.9

  

Standing Half Lotus Posture, Position A

4.10

  

Standing Half Lotus Posture, Position B

4.11

  

Fierce Posture

4.12

  

Warrior I Posture

4.13

  

Warrior II Posture

5.1

  

Stick Posture

5.2

  

Lying Down Hamstring Stretch Posture

5.3

  

Intense East Stretch Posture

5.4

  

Floor Vinyasa 1

5.5

  

Floor Vinyasa 2

5.6

  

Floor Vinyasa 3

5.7

  

Floor Vinyasa 4

5.8

  

Seated Half Lotus Posture

5.9

  

Hero Posture (rear view)

5.10

  

Hero Posture (on blocks)

5.11

  

Hero Posture (side view)

5.12

  

Seated Twist Posture

5.13

  

Bound Angle Posture

5.14

  

Bound Angle Posture (side view)

5.15

  

Seated Angle Posture

5.16

  

Seated Angle Posture, Modified (with assistance)

5.17

  

Reclining Mountain Posture

5.18

  

Reclining Angle Posture

5.19

  

Reclining Angle Posture, Advanced (with assistance)

5.20

  

Lying Down Hand to Leg Posture, Position A

5.21

  

Lying Down Hand to Leg Posture, Position B

5.22

  

Bridge Posture

5.23

  

Locust A Posture

5.24

  

Locust B Posture

5.25

  

Camel Posture

5.26

  

Horse Posture

5.27

  

Cow’s Face Posture, Position A

5.28

  

Cow’s Face Posture, Position B

5.29

  

Cow’s Face Posture, Position C

5.30

  

Cow’s Face Posture, Position C (with strap assist)

5.31

  

Cow’s Face Posture, Position D

5.32

  

Bridge Posture

5.33

  

Relaxation Posture

6.1

  

Right Angle Handstand Posture

6.2

  

Supported Right Angle Handstand Posture

6.3

  

Reclining Mountain Posture

6.4

  

Half Shoulderstand Posture, Modified (with block)

6.5

  

Half Shoulderstand Posture

6.6

  

Shoulderstand Posture

6.7

  

Shoulderstand Posture, Modified

6.8

  

Knees to Nose Posture

6.9

  

Fish Posture

6.10

  

Extended Leg Posture

6.11

  

Low Plank Posture

6.12

  

Forward Bend Easy Posture

6.13

  

Easy Posture

6.14

  

Full Lotus Posture

6.15

  

Lifted Lotus Posture

6.16

  

Lifted Easy Posture (not easy!)

6.17

  

Relaxation Posture

8.1

  

Brain Wave Activity