Tapas 2-hour workshop series: Principles and practical steps for approaching challenging poses
- movingformsyoga
- Dec 30, 2025
- 5 min read
This series of 2-hour workshops running monthly on Saturday mornings, 10.30am-12.30pm at Yogasara studios starting February 2026 and running to July, will explore several of those challenging poses that often seem out of reach in a fast paced vinyasa flow class.
In each class we’ll explore key principles and steps for approaching the pose, move through a vinyasa flow that incorporates kramic (wise, logical) steps to build toward our focus pose for the workshop, give time for individual exploration of the pose and trialling ways in and out of the pose with blocks and props – and for rest to integrate your effort and practice. See & book workshops in the series at www.movingforms.org/event-list
But, let's start with this: Yoga is not about the fancy poses. It’s not about creating a shape with your body or making your body a particular shape.
For me, yoga is a process of learning how to live well, in mind and body, a turning inwards to notice what’s really there, a way to understand the blind spots created by ego, that keep me separate and suffering, a way to be in touch with the whole of me, mind, body and spirit, and it is a pathway to a glorious community of people with common values.
But (also me) OMG do I love a challenging pose.
In the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, where the eight limbs of yoga are described, one of the five niyamas, (personal observances advised for those on the yogic path) is tapas which represents an inner fire and the self-discipline that can fuel positive transformation: the creation of effort and commitment which can burn away obstacles: unhelpful thought patterns, old habits, and physical or mental blockages. For me approaching challenging poses in my practice, is one way to cultivate this tapas. How?
Challenging poses take me to the edge of what I believe is possible and make me rethink the rules I have imposed on myself.
They show up where I might need to work on strength, flexibility or balance - and where I need to not try so hard.
They bring me nose to nose with my ego, because YES, the path to a new pose can be paved with fear and face plants.
They remind me to not take myself so seriously: because YES, the best reaction to a face-plant is to have a good laugh about it.
They make me question my purpose and my intent.
They show me that making the impossible, possible is, well, possible!
They teach me viveka – a sanskrit word that describes the wise discernment, which we need at these times of trying something new, to tell when to push through discomfort and when to pull back.
They give me a sense of mastery and joy – oh, the damn JOY of learning something new.
For a short while they make it all simple - because every part of me is working with one purpose: that of converging on the common consequence of the pose: mind, body, breath in sync... And in that space of determination, commitment and effort (in sanskrit tapas) – my mind can be still – the chatter of the mind gone for a brief and blissful moment.
They are also a place where I employ the principles I have learnt through my work as an Alexander Technique Practitioner and Teacher.
How to move with efficiency and ease
How to make a reasoned plan to approach a new pose rather being scuppered by a erroneous belief that I might actually die (no lie, the first time I did a headstand I thought I might)
How to breakdown a complicated movement into steps and sequences.
How to approach change when change feels impossible.
How to become fascinated with the process and not the end result.
So, I'd love you to join me for one or all of the workshops! Each one is bookable as a standalone workshop. In each session, through yogic perspectives, and using principles of the Alexander Technique, we’ll explore routes for entering and exiting poses, alone and as part of a vinyasa flow, with a focus on breathing well while maintaining poses – and making space to see where these poses might take you by adventuring into variations and linked poses. Join me to learn:
The bio-mechanical and energetic dynamics of the pose.
How to break down poses into logical steps and sequences.
Drills to build the strength and flexibility required by the pose.
Approaches to help overcome mental blocks (that are often as real as physical ones).
Ways to shift your perspective to become fascinated with the process rather than the pose.
Yogasara (10-12 Picton St, Montpelier, Bristol BS6 5QA) is my dearest yoga home in Bristol. A beautiful space, well equipped with bolsters, matts and props.
Early bird tickets are £22.50 while tix last before they rise to £27.50. All dates and poses in the series are:
21st February 2026: crow & all her feathered friends:
We start with crow, a deep-forward folding arm-balance pose that requires strength, flexibility, balance, and most of all courage – the fear of the face-plant is real! We’ll move through a vinyasa flow designed to prepare us for the pose - and then create space for you to play with the pose – with some fun entries in and out, and variations including one-legged crow, side crow, and eka pada koundinyasana (sometimes known as hurdlers pose).
14th March 2026: Headstand - entries, exits and the joys of upside down
This second workshop focuses on headstand (Salamba Sirsasana): this pose brings us into close encounters with upside-down, which is both exhilarating and sometimes terrifying. We'll look at the energetic purpose of headstand in a yoga practice, the bio-mechanical dynamics required, and explore ways to overcome mental and physical blocks. There will be space to explore entries and exits and variation of the pose, playing with both base and legs.
25th April 2026 - Pincha Mayurasana - with variations scorpion & chin stand
This third workshop focuses on Pincha Mayurasana aka Peacock Feather Pose, with optional variations of adding scorpion (Vrischikasana)and chin stand (Ganda Bherundasana). These poses always make my heart beat a little faster when attempting them in a busy class, so we'll build the strength, flexibility and courage - with the help of walls and props - for the poses we wish to attempt and make space for exploring variations entries and exits.
16th May 2026 - Dragonfly Pose/Grasshopper + Flying Pigeon Pose:
This fourth workshop focuses on Dragonfly/Grasshopper (Maksikanagasana) and Flying Pigeon Pose (Eka Pada Galavasana), both of which require a lot of hip action plus strength for arm balances and the spiciness of a twist for Dragonfly added in for good measure. We'll build the strength, flexibility and courage - with the help of walls and props - and make space for exploring variations entries and exits.
13th June: 8-Angled pose + Firefly + Elephant's Trunk pose:
This fifth workshop focuses on Firefly Pose (Tittibhasana), Elephant's Trunk Pose (Eka Hasta Bhujasana) and eight-angle pose (Astavakrasana) – all of which require an abundance of hip flexion plus and understanding of how to stack your weight - once that clicks balance is much less illusive! Plus time to explore entries and exits as part of a vinyasa flow.
11th July: Backbends: From Upward Dog to Wheel
This sixth workshop focuses on the dynamics of backward bends, "stretching the east" by opening the front of the body and strengthening the front - and the poses that flow from here: from upward dog to wheel poses (Dhanurasana and Urdhva Dhanurasana)
See & book the full series at www.movingforms.org/event-list
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