The Woman's Set
The Woman's Set
The Woman's Set
Set
1. Rock Pose. Sit on heels, palms on thighs or hands relaxed in lap, spine
straight. Relax meditatively in this position. 3 minutes.
2. Life Nerve Stretch. For this set, Life Nerve Stretch can be done in 3 ways:
a) Sit on the right heel, left leg extended straight out. Change sides. 3 minutes on each side. b)
Or extend the left leg straight, and draw the right foot to groin. Change sides. 3 minutes on
each side. c) Or extend both legs straight out in front. 3 minutes.
Grab the big toe(s) in finger-lock. Inhale, lengthen the spine. Exhale, bend forward bringing
chest to thighs, and nose to knees. Avoid leading with the head. In all 3 variations, use Long
deep Breathing.
3. Camel Pose. Come up onto the knees, thighs perpendicular to the floor.
Arch back, holding onto heels. Let head fall back, Press hips forward. Long, deep breathing. 3
minutes. This exercise adjusts the reproductive organs.
4. Shoulder Stand. From lying on the back, place the hands on the sides of the hips,
just below the waist, and bring the hips and legs up to a vertical position, spine and legs
perpendicular to the ground. Support the weight of the body on the elbows and shoulders
using the hands to support the lower spine. The chin is pressed into the chest. Long, deep
breathing. 3 minutes. This exercise releases pressure on all of the organs and stimulates the
thyroid gland.
5. Archer Pose. Bring the right foot forward so that the feet are 2-3 feet apart.
The right toes face forward while the left foot comes to a 45 degree angle, with the heel back
and the toes forward. The left leg stays straight and strong as the right knee bends until the
thigh is almost parallel to the ground (do not let the knee go beyond the toes); tuck the
tailbone. Curl the fingers of both hands onto the palms, thumbs pulled back. As if pulling back
a bow and arrow, lift the right arm up, extended forward parallel to the ground, over the right
knee. The left arm, bent at the elbow, pulls back until the fist is at the left shoulder. Pull Neck
Lock. chin in, chest out. Feel this stretch across the chest. Eyes stare beyond the thumb to
Infinity. Practice for 5 minutes on each side.
6. Baby Pose. Sit on the heels. Bring the forehead to ground. Arms relaxed at
the sides with palms facing up. 3 minutes.
7. Bow Pose. Come onto the stomach. Grab the ankles, and use the thigh
muscles to pull the upper body off the ground. Raise the legs off the ground. As the chest lifts,
let the head follow. Hold position with Long deep Breathing. 3 minutes.
8. Locust Pose. Still on the stomach, feet together, with the chin on the
ground, place the fists under the hips where the hips and thighs join. Raise the legs up, and the
back of the thighs to keep the legs together. Breathe long and deep. 3 minutes.
9. Cow Pose. Come onto the hands and knees. The hands are shoulder-width
apart, with fingers facing forward, knees directly under the hips, and the big toes together
behind you. Inhale and tilt the pelvis forward, arching the spine down, with head and neck
stretched back. Do not scrunch the neck. Open the heart and raise the chin as far as you can
without collapsing the neck. Hold with long, deep breathing. 3 minutes.
10. Cat Pose. Beginning in cow Pose, tilt the pelvis the opposite way, arching
the spine up, pressing the chin into the chest, arched up like an angry cat. Hold with long,
deep breathing. 3 minutes.
11. Stretch Pose. Lie on the back with the feet together, toes pointed. Flatten
the lower back. Place hands palms down over the thighs, pointing toward the toes. Lift the
head up, apply Neck Lock and look at the toes. Lift the feet up 6 inches and begin Breath of
Fire for 3 minutes.
12. Corpse Pose. Relax on the back, palms facing up. 8-10
minutes.
This kriya can be found in I AM A Woman: Essential Kriyas for Women
The Teachings of Yogi Bhajan