Principle #8 Action
The YogaWorks Foundations Course
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12-Feb-2025
In this video, we’ll dive into the principle of Action in yoga. Action refers to the intentional effort or muscular engagement that directs a joint or body part in a specific way. These movements can be subtle and internal, sometimes barely visible to an outside observer.
Actions play a key role in both stability and alignment—whether it’s engaging the quadriceps as you enter Trikonasana or pressing into the base of the thumbs and index fingers in Downward Dog to maintain hand positioning. Understanding these subtle engagements can help refine your practice, enhance body awareness, and create greater ease in your postures.
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Principle #9 Stable vs. Moving
In this video, we dive into the principle of Stable vs. Moving—the dynamic relationship between anchoring one part of the body while another moves or lengthens.
This concept is key to creating space, supporting alignment, and bringing a sense of ease and vitality to your practice.
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Principle #10 Control and Surrender
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Too much control can lead to tension and rigidity, while too much surrender can...
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Principle #11 Truth Levels
In this video, we explore the concept of truth levels—a framework for assessing a student's practice based on physical ability and self-awareness.
This principle guides yoga teachers in selecting poses, structuring sequences, and determining the complexity of cues.
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