A Framework to work within

Hello Hello!

I just got back from teaching in Kelowna for the weekend. It was the first time I’ve offered the Art of Sequencing workshop in person since 2019. I’ve been teaching this training since 2008. Teaching this program for as long as I have still excites me. Since vinyasa yoga doesn’t have a set series, it leaves a lot of room to create sequences that don’t make too much sense anatomically but feel creative and fun. There’s nothing wrong with creative and fun however, classes that are intentional and anchored in either a metaphysical/anatomical theme, are more powerful for students and teacher alike. 

When I first started practicing yoga, I was going to Jivamukti. It’s a set sequence that is slightly modified depending upon the teacher. Jivamukti, created by David Life and Sharon Gannon, is their take on Ashtanga yoga – which is a set series. Meaning, you do the same sequence each time. As a newby, I loved the set sequence. It helped me cope with the intensity of holding these strange shapes for 8 breaths at a time. 

As I developed in my practice and found more creative vinyasa classes, I began to love not knowing where the class was going. What differentiates most vinyasa classes to Ashtanga is there’s a peak pose we’re working towards, along with a theme that feeds the peak pose and with the class itself. Most vinyasa classes are different each time, depending upon the peak pose and theme. 

I remember asking one of my favorite yoga teachers, Stacey Brass, about how she created her sequences. It was then I learned how much thought and intention she put into her class – it made me respect what she did even more. I started to pay attention to the sequences, how it made me feel, how the teacher weaved the theme in, what pose we were building towards. I loved it!

By the time I found Shiva Rea, I was ready to understand how these creative classes worked. Why do this pose over another? Wave Theory, the framework behind Prana Flow, gave me a framework to assemble classes in a way that felt intentional, holistic and creative. To this day, I still love creating sequences. I have a skeleton of about 30 classes in my toolbox that I tweak depending upon the level of studentship, time of year and theme. 

My biggest takeaway is that frameworks are important for the creative process. Creativity that is not harnessed tends to fizzle. A quote from one of my favorite books in university, The Courage to Create by Rollo May states “Limitations breeds creativity”. That’s what frameworks can be – a guideline to work within.

So fam jam – 

What frameworks are you currently working with?
How are you feeding them creatively?
How are you innovating the way you work?

Tell me some things… 

 Clara

P.S. If you’re looking to deepen your sequencing skills or get inspired with new tools, check out these resources:

🌀 5 Easy Steps to Create a Mandala Yoga Sequence – a practical guide to build creative, circular flow sequences.
📚 10 Educational Tips for Yoga Instructors – insights to support both new and experienced teachers on the path.