I still remember watching New York by night from above, as I last boarded the plane home a month ago. It must have been about 8 p.m., the city was still breathing rapidly: its lights twinkling, its dwellers roaming, its traffic flowing into the shifting patterns of a giant kaleidoscope. I felt a vibrant hub of realities and identities embraced me in its throbbing bosom. Next morning I woke up to the city’s buzz, its sounds, fumes, its daily glow, its frenzy pulse. As I got up my roof for an uplifting City Awakening YOGEA experience, I saw a big ant house of busyness and inspiration that brimmed with possibilities for reflection and growth. I feel the city is what we make out of it. If we love it, it loves us back, and offers space for self-discovery. If we hate it, it sucks us into its stress-tube and drains us .It makes us want to run away. I like to be present and taste the flavorful richness it offers. It has taught me to stay focused when everything around me is at a whirlwind. It’s helped me balance while in flux. It’s arched my wings and taught me to get inspired and dare to fly.

This sequence nurtures qualities like balance and flow by juxtaposing two counterpoint states of awareness. It contains poses that promote stamina and balance. It provides a well-structured flow that reinforces the trust within and the connection with the world, and our place in it. Challenging balances are coupled with centering standing poses, nurturing twists with soothing forwards bends, and energizing backbends, which help us attain equilibrium in a constant state of flux. Finding our center within is the first step towards defining our niche in life and acting from a place of confidence and ease. As we establish a firm axis we draw everything we need into our life, and everyday becomes a meaningful progression towards accomplishing our life purpose. The sequence is suitable for intermediate practitioners who want to maintain a strong core, increase stamina and resilience, while developing fluidity and inner peace.