Beyond Hot Yoga: On Patterns, Practice, and Movement

by Kyle Ferguson, Anthony Grudin (Editor)

Overview

A holistic method for practicing hot yoga—a new 40-pose series of postures based on modern understandings of anatomy and movement.

Bringing hot yoga beyond Bikram and into the 21st century, Beyond Hot Yoga offers a bold new science-backed 40-pose sequence. Built on up-to-date insights on bodily movement—and the understanding that all bodies are different—author, practitioner, and teacher Kyle Ferguson challenges the long-held belief that all yoga poses are right for all people. He also opens up a vital conversation regarding the principles of embodiment and interconnectedness in yoga, doing so with humor, erudition, and tongue-in-cheek wit.

More than just a practice guide, Beyond Hot Yoga is a shake-it-up investigation of ideas: it encourages a new exploration of the social nature of human beings, emphasizes the harmony between physical design and mental process, and explores the philosophy of embodiment and the spiritual value of practice. Included are quarantine-tailored adjustments for reaping the benefits of the hot yoga sequence for when you can't get to a class, as well as tips on alignment, postures, and learning to read and listen to your body as you practice yoga.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9781623175948
Publisher:	North Atlantic Books
Publication date:	06/22/2021
Pages:	352
Sales rank:	1,037,962
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.70(d)

About the Author

Kyle Ferguson (E-RYT 200) is the creator and director of Second Circle Yoga in Burlington, Vermont. Originally certified in Bikram Yoga in 2011, Kyle received additional teaching certifications in Alignment-Based Hatha Yoga (Maha Yoga, 2015), and Yin Yoga (Yoga Home, 2018). He is a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania's Mindfulness-Based Stress Relief program, and has completed the Zen Mountain Monastary's Introduction to Zen Practice. In 2018, he created Second Circle Yoga in Vermont with the aim of developing a powerful, modern, scientifically-informed practice for hot yoga enthusiasts everywhere.

Anthony Grudin is the author of Warhol's Working Class: Pop Art and Egalitarianism (University of Chicago Press, 2017) and Animal Warhol, forthcoming from University of California Press in 2022.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments xi

Dear Reader xiii

Introduction 1

Part 1 Yoga For Human Beings

On Evolutionary Design 11

The Josephine 17

On Patterns 21

Repatterning 27

Functional Movement 29

The Rule of Three 33

Healthy Neutral 39

Chairs, Floors, Shoes, and Cells 41

Basic Postural Issues 57

Efficiency Machines 67

Dirty Rotten Cheaters 71

Recap 75

Part 2 Practice: The Foundations of Repatterning (A.K.A. "Foundations")

About The Sequence 79

On Saints and Animals 81

Building Foundations 86

The Practices 89

Breathing 89

Pulling Down the Heavens 89

Reverse Anatomical Breathing 91

Opening Sequence 94

Side Bends 95

Back Bend 102

Forward Fold 106

Power Sequence 116

Chair Pose 116

Chair on Toes 122

Power Pose 126

Revolved Lunge 133

Balancing Sequence 140

Eagle 140

Intermission: On Knee Locking 146

Big Toe Pose 150

Revolved Big Toe Pose 153

Core Strength Quad Stretch 157

Standing Bow 163

Airplane 168

Revolved Half Moon 175

Separate Leg Sequence 183

Wide-Legged Dog 183

Vitruvian Person 187

Mid-Stance Fold 191

Warrior 2 195

Warrior Triangle 201

Pyramid 204

Revolved Triangle 212

Tree Pose 215

Corpse (a.k.a. Savasana) 218

Supine Sequence 221

Wind Removing 221

Wind Removing (Both Legs) 224

Bridge 227

Plunge 232

Back Strengthening Sequence 238

Cobra 238

Crocodile 246

Bow 249

Child's Pose 252

Dog Sequence 253

Forearm Plank 253

Dolphin 257

Downward-Facing Dog 260

Pigeon 263

Kneeling Sequence 274

Supine Warrior 274

Half Tortoise 277

Camel 280

Wild Child 284

Closing Sequence 290

Staff Pose 290

Intense West Stretch 294

Butterfly 298

Head to Knee 300

Supine Twist 303

Corpse 305

Part 3 A Theory of Relativity in the Time of Exponential Growth

The Stories Monkeys Tell 309

Within the Great Josephine 313

Heat In the Time of Heat 315

Praxis 321

On Patience, Joy, and Endings 325

Epilogue 327

Appendix The Foundations Op Repatterning: Sequence Options 329

Bibliography 333

About the Authors 335

Editorial Reviews

"After six years of Bikram yoga, my practice had hit a plateau. Kyle’s Foundations classes made a big difference! I started noticing that I was standing, walking, feeling, and thinking differently. I find myself more deeply in tune with my body and mind in my everyday life.”
—Chris Landry, Foundations Yoga student

“Having two babies changed my body dramatically. [Kyle’s] Foundations method of yoga has done more to correct my alignment and rebuild my strength than any targeted exercises I’ve done. It is the most sustainable and rewarding work to do.”
—Ruth Hill, Foundations Yoga student

“I have been a committed yogi since developing chronic hip and back issues twenty years ago. Within a few months of practice with Kyle, the chronic pain went away entirely and I found new joy in movement. I have met many yoga teachers over the years. Kyle has a gift that sets him apart.”
—Robert Luce, Bikram and Foundations Yoga teacher

From the Publisher