A couple of weeks ago, I asked a student in yoga class what she pose or poses she would like to do in honour of her birthday. She requested the Kali Cycle. It had been a couple of years since I had done it so I needed a refresher. It just so happened that another person in the class had a written copy of the sequence in her car. So here is my interpretation.
KaliCycle – YouTube video recorded on my iPhone
KALI CYCLE
This Vinyasa-style sequence has a wonderful blend of strengthening and stretching. The Lion’s breath at the end of each cycle brings the series to a deliciously calm conclusion. Enjoy!
• Tadansana (Mountain Pose) with hands in Anjali Mudra (prayer position)
• Repeat 3 times: Inhale, sweep arms up. Touch palms together. Exhale, fold into Uttanasana (Standing forward bend)
• Step feet wide to Prasarita Padottanasana (Giraffe) with 4 variations:
- hands below shoulders
- hands forward, upper body in downard dog
- hands shoulder width apart between feet, head down
- hands clasped behind back, arms up and over head
• Turn right foot out for Virabhadrasana 2 (Warrior 2)
• Utthita Parsvakonasana (Extended Side Angle)
• Pivot to straight-leg lunge and inhale up into Virabhadrasana 1 (Warrior 1)
• Adho Mukhasvanasana (Downward Dog)
• Pigeon Prep Pose, right leg forward: swan dive X 3
• Sit on right hip, legs in swastika position: twist to right then left
• Sit on heels with toes back or tucked under: Simhasana (Lion’s breath) variation X 3
• Uttanasana
• Inhale to standing and sweep arms overhead
• Tadasana with hands in Anjali Mudra
Repeat entire cycle to your left.
I was the student that had a copy of the Kali Cycle sequence in my car (yoga bag) for Nora to highlight on her blog. This is not the first time I had to pull the copy from my yoga bag as another teacher earlier this year wanted it for her students requesting this beautiful cycle and others. How remarkable! Where did I get it? A number of years from my yoga teacher, Patti LaPalma. She was great about doing these type of sequences in her classes.
Thanks Nora. I love your version of the cycle.
Hi Nora:
It was special to me for you to share the Kali cycle in yesterday’s class in my honour. You made my week. At first, I felt uncomfortable receiving this gift. A bad habit that I have gotten into over the year. I supplant it by smiling and simply say thank you. You rock.
Namaste,
Danica