I remember traveling around India, and it seemed like every few kilometers a different dialect was spoken. In the same way, I marvel that I can toss my leg in one direction and my arm in another and it goes by one name, and then I shape-shift that same arm and leg in another direction, just a few "kilometers" away, and it goes by another name. It feels like new shapes are born with every tiny movement or nuance.

There are endless opportunities to experience the wonder of the body temple. God knows, the yogis who originated many of these shapes didn't read about them. They seemed to know that they were already made up of asanas; that these shapes or postures existed inside their very being. They reached this way and that way, being stretched into new places and spaces, the shapes making room for the body to open and for the mind to know peace.

On a particularly long bus ride in southern India, we passed endless fields of mud. Only after a little more distance did these muddy fields begin to reveal bubble gum pink lotus flowers. Those beautiful and mysterious flowers would fly up out of the mud without a trace of dirt on them. Props to the yoga pose that represents this auspicious symbol of transformation and freedom, Padmasana, or full Lotus.

As you'll see in the video below of this seated flow sequence, making subtle changes in leg position will lead you through Gomukasana, Firelog Pose (Agnistambhasana), Half-Bound Lotus, Stargazer, and Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana before landing you, gently, in Padmasana. Like the lotus flower that doesn't have far to go to rise from the mud, we have no idea how close we really are to our Lotus.

So wake up, family, get the mud out of your eyes: You are already made up of asana! Feel the awe as you move your amazing body temple this way and that way. Here comes a field of lotuses!

Lotus Flow Playlist

Etude No. 5 by Phillip Glass
Lotus Flower by Radiohead
Wandering Soul by Fun 'Da' Mental
Child of Vision by Supertramp
Rolling in the Deep by Adele
Om Mani Padme Hum by Zuleikha and Mirabai



Dana Trixie Flynn is co-creator of Lotus Flow Yoga and co-director of the School and Center at Laughing Lotus Yoga in New York City and San Francisco. She is known for her raw and generous energy and for re-awakening asanas and creating mass celebration. She is blessed to share what she loves around the world. Become Dana's Facebook friend, or find her teaching schedule at laughinglotus.com