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Yoga Speak Explained: "float to the top of your mat"

Writer: Always YogaAlways Yoga

In a yoga class, you might often hear something like: "from downward facing dog, step, walk or float to the top of your mat"


No, we're not expecting you to start levitating, but it sure sounds like that!


This cue is used to guide students from downward facing dog (adho mukha svanasana) to a forward fold (uttanasana) by moving the feet closer to the hands.


The 'float' comes in when a practitioner can slow down and control their jump from downward facing dog to forward fold, giving the movement a 'floating' quality.


Floating to the top of the mat requires strength, mobility, practice and patience.


Floating to the top of the mat does not:

  • Make you a better yogi

  • Bring you closer to enlightenment

  • Reflect on the rest of your practice

  • Showcase your worth

  • Absolve your ego


And, so: step, walk, jump or float.


Take your feet from A to B whichever way works for you.


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