Purvottanasana

Vasisthasana

Vrksasana

All the wood comes from trees.

Gomukhasana

In Bethlehem Mary and Joseph take refuge in a cave used to shelter cattle.

[Optional extras - things made from wood e.g. chairs, tables, boats…]

Child

In this cave Mary’s child is born.

Surya Namaskara

Natavarasana

The first to arrive are shepherds. [cowherd pose - well, it’s close!]

Singha

The shepherds had been looking after their sheep in the fields, protecting them from wild animals such as lions...

This is a special child and a bright star appears in the sky to herald the birth. The star draws visitors.

Vyaghrasana

And tigers...

Bhujanga

Adho mukha svana

They are helped by their sheep dogs.

Ustrasana

Further east magi see the star and set out to find the child. They travel with a train of camels.

And snakes.

Maricyasana

There were three sages.

Bharadvajasana

Matsyendra

Utkata

The magi visit the palace of King Herod in error. They find the king sitting on his throne...

Virabhadrasana I

Surrounded by warriors.

Virabhadrasana II

Virabhadrasana III

Uttanasana

Realising they are in the wrong place the sages bow deeply before the king and resume their search.

Kneeling salute

Finding the child they drop to their knees and prostrate themselves.

Humming Breath

All around the angels sing.

[Or gayatri or asato ma mantra]

Savasana

Peace on earth to all men and women.

Nativity Sequence

It has become somewhat of a tradition that our final yoga class before Christmas takes the Nativity Story as its theme. Here is the basic sequence.

My thanks to Mark Allcock for demonstrating the postures in the photographs below and for stepping in to take the classes for Christmas 2008 while I had chickenpox!

Egyptian Sun Salute

Our story is set in the Middle East not far from Egypt. A young couple are traveling from Galilee to Bethlehem.

Palmyrasana

Ashwa sanchalana

The woman, Mary, is pregnant and rides on a donkey.

Plank

The man, Joseph, is a craftsman who makes things from wood. The wood is planed into a variety of planks.

Palm trees offer them shade from the hot sun.