Establishing your own custom set of alignment or target points based on your individual size, skill, and flexibility level within CNTRD's patented universal grid or matrix is a critical first step towards improved efficiency, confidence, and inner awareness with every yoga practice.  

CNTRD's universal "one size fits all" solution utilizes the combination of a few simple geometric shapes specifically developed and spaced to counter-form the natural shape of your hands and feet while pressed into the mat.   Helping you transition between as well as stretch into poses with improved efficiency, confidence, and consistent equidistant alignment.  

Part of the design challenge was to create a design that was not only universal, but malleable or adaptable according to the user preferance which is why this is simply a guide and not necessarily a manual.  

Top Section:  Includes two distinct sets of marks.  The first set of marks are called the "T's" or "dash-dot-dashes" specifically designed to counter-form the natural shape of your right and left big toes and assist with the process of transitioning between and setting into poses more efficiently and confidently.  

The “T’s” are located at the center of the Top Section where we typically begin and end a flow with sunrise salutations.  They can also be found along the right and left sides for prasarita padottanasana pose.

Depending on where you prefer to line up your hands in conjunction with your feet you can adjust your feets alignment points up or down on the “T’s" and vice versa left to right with your hands in the "V's"

The second set of marks are the “V"s” which look like >>>>  <<<<

The V's are specifically designed to align the natural angle of your thumbs as your hands press into the mat (downward dog/forward fold/camel & cat/pushups).  

 

 

Tip: Try to line the tips of your thumbs with the dots in the middle of the “V's” and the rest of your fingers will fall into place.  You can line up your thumbs on the dot or between the dots depending on your shoulder width.   

Where you prefer to line up your right and left thumbs with respect to your feet during your forward fold depends on a couple of factors.  First is your flexibility level and second is your personal preference of alignment.  The combination of these two factors will determine where you are most comfortable placing and lining up your right and left big toes on the center "t’s," and your right and left thumbs on or between the dots of the “arrows.” 

Once you’ve established and become routinely familiar with this first set of custom alignment or “target" points the learning curve will flatten and the benefit of improved efficiency, confidence, inner awareness, and results will shortly follow.

Grid 2-3:   

Key alignment points or target points for your toes need to be established for poses like downward dog and warrior before this greater efficiency during transitions can be attained.  This portion of the design also serves as a performance metric allowing its users to quantify increases or decreases in flexibility levels during a practice or since the last practice.   

Grid 2-3 can also be used during childs position or cat/cow to line up knees equidistantly.