Building Foundational Yoga Strength
Forget picture-perfect poses. We build the core, shoulder, and spinal strength that lets you hold your practice for years. Real drills, real sweat, no shortcuts.
Using a heavy yoga block for kettlebell-style swings. This is a great way to build explosive core and shoulder strength, which is essential for inversions and arm balances.
A simple but effective core exercise using a yoga block for resistance. We do 3 sets of 15 or 20, focusing on slow, controlled movements to build deep core stability.
A video showing my practice of Chakrasana (Wheel Pose). I love how the body feels in humid weather. This pose is excellent for spinal flexibility and opening the chest.
This video shows my journey to achieving the splits (Hanumanasana). It was a long process, and I'm proud that I never gave up. It’s a testament to patient, consistent effort.
Breaking down the Baddha Hasta Parivritta Parsvakonasana, a challenging bound and twisting lunge. It looks complex, but it's as simple as pulling the belly in and floating.
I finally got this bind in Ardha Matsyendrasana (Half Lord of the Fishes Pose) after two years. It’s a reminder that progress isn't linear, and sometimes poses come back to you when you least expect it.
A variation of shoulder stand. I was so happy I could finally lift up into this, showing that my neck and shoulder strength is improving. Now to work on the details.
About Building Foundational Strength
Most people jump straight to the flashy poses, but that is exactly how you get injured. In my sessions, we use heavy yoga blocks for specific drills to actually load the shoulders and core. This isn't about looking good on the mat, it is about building the stability to hold those poses without pain. I don't just teach the shape, I teach the mechanics so you can do it safely.
The Reality of Strength
Yoga isn't just breathing and stretching. If you want to do arm balances or inversions, you need to build the foundation first. Most of our classes start with 45 minutes of specific conditioning, not just warming up. We focus on wrist prep, shoulder mobility, and core engagement drills because if your joints aren't ready, the pose will never be stable.
Why I Use Props
I use heavy yoga blocks, usually 1.5 to 2 kg, as weights. You don't need a gym membership to build muscle. These blocks act as resistance during our drills, forcing your muscles to work harder than they would in a standard Vinyasa flow. It creates a 'real-world' strength that transfers directly to your ability to hold a handstand or a crow pose.
Safety First
I have spent years dealing with back pain and disc bulges. I know what it feels like to have your body fail you. That is why our practice includes specific exit strategies. You are going to fall, and that is fine. I teach you how to fall safely so you do not hurt your neck or shoulders. We move, we fail, we fix the alignment, and we try again. My goal is to get you strong enough that you do not need me to hold you up forever.
Charu
I'm Charu. I rebuilt my own body after years of back pain and sciatica, so everything I teach is tested by my own struggle. I keep my batches small because if I cannot see your alignment, I cannot help you get stronger.
Looking for something else?
Explore other yoga workshops and online training sessions.
More from Advanced Yoga Workshops by Charu