I taught a Rocket Yoga class last night and left feeling like I’ve found my purpose.

I didn’t realize until afterward that a new person strolled into class. When it dawned on me afterward, I asked. She actually had been to a Rocket class that someone substitute taught for me last week. And she enjoyed it so much that she came back.

Rocket is a lot like CrossFit. I know if I programmed a killer workout that made an obvious change in a person’s life, I’d feel so satisfied that my effort wasn’t in vain. I know that Rocket is different from a regular Vinyasa Flow class, or even an Ashtanga class. It takes something simple and cranks it up a notch…maybe a few notches.

Here are a few staples of the practice:

• The standing series begins with a 5 breath hold Bakasana
• A long standing flow on the right side, then the left
• Pincha mayurasana follows standing flows
• Prasarita Padottanasana series includes a tripod headstand
• Rocket Abs integrates Navasana with leg lifts and holds
• Nearly every Navasana ends with a handstand, and there are quite a few
• Many forward folds end with an arm balance
• Ardha matsyendrasana transitions with a handstand or headstand in between
• We always do chakrasana (and I’m not talking about upward bow) and pigeon pose
• Pranayama (breath practice) is for advanced Ashtangis, so that’s what we do

Garsh do I love the excitement I feel from this practice.