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How to Create, Practice and Teach a Yoga Hip Opening Sequence

This is a sequence designed to show people how to stretch and strengthen the hip rotators. When your students understand how these muscles work in different asanas, they can do hip opening, back bending and twisting in a way that is safe as well as fun and invigorating.

In addition to providing a template that can be used to do or teach a hip opening sequence, this book also explains the logic behind the creation of a sequence designed to open the hips. Learn why it is easier to open the hips when you start with poses that externally rotate the legs and hips and then move gradually into more challenging poses such as Parivrtta Trikonasana (Twisted Triangle).

This book is about Yoga, specifically about how to master the art of sequencing a Yoga class, and how to evolve as a student and teacher of Yoga. I have been teaching Yoga for more than twelve years, and my colleague and writing partner, Liz Parks, has been teaching for four.
Two of the hardest things to learn as a Yoga teacher, I believe, are how to sequence a Yoga class and how to guide students (and/or yourself) vocally and energetically through a specific sequence.
As a teacher of students aspiring to become Yoga teachers, it has become apparent to me that a large number of advanced students (and even some Hatha Yoga teachers) do not have a clear understanding of the principles that underlie the art of sequencing.
There are ways to create sequences that challenge the body and at the same time protect the body by minimizing the risk of injuries. Too often, injuries occur in group Yoga classes because the succession of poses do not adequately prepare students for the challenging poses that come later in the sequence, such as Chaturanga Dhanurasana (Plank with elbows bent back), Sirsasana (head stand) and Sarvangasana (shoulderstand), all examples of high risk poses.
When you and/or your students understand how muscles work in a sequence designed to stretch and strengthen the hip rotators, you and they can do hip opening, back bending and twisting in a way that is safe as well as fun, invigorating and spiritually transforming.
In addition to providing a template that can be used to do or teach a hip opening sequence, this book also explains the logic behind the creation of a sequence designed to open the hips.
Learn why it is easier to open the hips when you start with poses that externally rotate the legs and hips and then move gradually into more challenging poses such as Parivrtta Trikonasana (Twisted Triangle).
As a senior teacher of Yoga for Yoga Works in New York and California, as well as a senior teacher of the Yoga Works teacher training program nationwide, Jodie Rufty has the experience, training and qualifications to explain the principles of sequencing as they relate both to individual body types and various types of practices: back bending, hip opening, forward bending, twisting, etc.
Jodie has been teaching Yoga for more than 12 years and, has studied with Alan Finger who developed the ISHTA system and co-founded Yoga Works; John Friend, founder of Anusara Yoga, Rodney Yee, Ana Forest, Allison West, Genny Kapuler, Sarah Powers and many others.
Liz Parks, a freelance journalist, also studied with Alan Finger, John Friend, as well as with, among others, Jodie, Lois Nesbitt, Charles and Lisa Matkin, Jean Koerner, Rama Nina, Carol Del Mul and Douglas Stewart. Liz has been teaching Yoga for four years.