Secrets of Sequencing: Gary Kraftsow

Gary Kraftsow is the founder of the American Viniyoga Institute. There were no secrets revealed during this workshop. In fact, Gary stressed the fact that the workshop wasn't about hidden secrets. Rather, he was sharing fundamental information about the sequencing of asanas and the effects of the sequencing of asanas that is not commonly taught today.

There was a lot of good information on a theoretical level in Gary's workshop. Unfortunately, it would be difficult to convey in this medium. Personally, it was one of the more interesting workshops in the Teachers' Program. The Viniyoga approach that Gary teaches is something that I am less familiar with than some of the other approaches. It is also an approach that is well suited for the latter part of life which I am quickly approaching myself. He did give us this list of things to consider in planning and teaching our classes:

• Include an intention, goal or theme for the class
  
• Include some element of elegance or art in the experience
  
• Limit the number of postures
  
• Limit the number of variations
  
• Be conscious of transitions
  
• Adapt the breathing
  
• Be conscious of rests
  

He also discussed the three main stages of life and the focus of each stage according to Krishnamcharya. The stages are described as sunrise (0-30 years old), midday (30-70 years old), and sunset (70+ years old). Asana is the focus during the sunrise years, Pranayama is the focus of the midday years, and Meditation is the focus of the sunset years. I'll end with this quote that I believe Gary attributed to Nathamuni:

"Asana prepares the breath for pranayama. Pranayama prepares the mind for meditation. Meditation prepares the heart for God."

Namasté