Ep 8. Balance Effort and Ease

In Yoga Every Day season 5 episode 8, viewers join yoga instructor Rachel as she guides them through a practice focused on finding balance between effort and ease. The episode begins with a brief introduction to the concept of svadhyaya, or self-study, and how it can be applied to the practice of finding balance in yoga and in life.

Rachel then leads viewers through a warm-up sequence designed to awaken the body and prepare it for more challenging poses later in the practice. The warm-up includes gentle stretches for the neck, shoulders, and spine, as well as sun salutations to build heat in the body.

Next, Rachel guides viewers through a series of standing poses, including warrior II, extended side angle pose, and tree pose. Throughout these poses, Rachel emphasizes the importance of finding a balance between effort and ease - pushing oneself to explore the pose to its fullest expression, but also listening to the body and backing off if needed.

After the standing poses, Rachel leads viewers through a series of hip-opening postures, including pigeon pose and lizard pose. These poses can be challenging and uncomfortable, and Rachel reminds viewers to find a balance between effort and ease in these more intense postures.

The practice ends with a series of forward folds, twists, and gentle inversions to calm the body and prepare it for savasana, or final relaxation. Throughout the practice, Rachel encourages viewers to stay present and focused on the breath, using it as a tool to find balance between effort and ease in each moment.

Overall, Yoga Every Day season 5 episode 8 is a thoughtful and challenging practice designed to help viewers explore the concept of balance on the yoga mat and in their everyday lives. Rachel's clear instruction and emphasis on the breath make the practice accessible to yogis of all levels, while still offering opportunities for more advanced practitioners to explore deeper expressions of the poses. Whether you're looking to find more balance in your yoga practice, or simply hoping to cultivate greater mindfulness and self-awareness, this episode offers a wealth of insights and inspiration.