Richard Freeman's Pepsi challenge
"This pose is quite challenging and takes at least two weeks of practice."
Ashtanga yoga The Intermediate series DVD
Two weeks? Yeah Right.
Richard's instruction.
Elbows parallel, Forearms parallel
Thighs over front of the Diaphragm (When in Pincha Mayurasana)
Exhale firmly to coil the body
Shins as high up the arms as possible
Keep the nose back behind the line of the thumbs (Found this interesting)
Keep the heart open.
Kind of playing with it here, feel a bit like a boxer circling his opponent. Trying to get an idea of the physics involved, weight distribution etc. The first part of the video is a half serious attempt at Karandavasana, the second part is playing with getting my lotus onto my arms from the ground (the Fido approach) to get an idea of where I want to end up.
Clearly my Pincha Mayurasana is weak. I don't think I'm straight enough, too much of my upper body weight is behind my arms and that's probably why I have that banana shape, as I use my legs as a counterweight.As soon as I move into lotus there's just too much weight behind my arms and it drops me back down. I need to be straighter and rock steady here with full control.
Probably shouldn't even be considering Karandavasana until it is, but can't help having a little sniff at it. Besides it's always a good reminder of how important it is to get the earlier poses right, as the particularly challenging poses are always built on some that have gone before. Pincha Mayurasana here obviously, but also getting into inverted lotus in Urdhva Padmasana from finishing sequence and of course going up and down with control in headstands.
While working on improving Pincha Mayurasana, the other elements of Karandavasana can be practiced using the more stable Tripod headstand version.
Two weeks says Richard, surely he's kidding, but lets give it a go, everyday for the next couple of weeks and see what happens.
2 comments:
The tapas-fest continues!
I LOVE that Freeman says it takes two weeks; that's wonderful.
Somewhere on what used to be the EZBoard, Jason left a formula for Karanda, which involved things like tight lotus, and 60 breaths (I think he said 60) in Uthpluthi.
Recently a proficient Intermediate practitioner walked into my humble Sunday afternoon room, and did a Karanda modification from classical Sirsasana. I've pulled this a number of times since then, and see these differences from the Tripod setup:
1) The legs can really press into the chest better. In tripod, my knees hit my arms before I REALLY get the chest press going on.
2) The balance is more precarious, more challenging, and more authentic, I think.
I've tried full Karanda a number of times, and what most recently was happening is that I'd get the lotus made, and then nosedive into the mat from the extra weight. I think the movement has to be really fluid; make the lotus, fold it, hold it, press it, CHATURANGA!
Admirable tapas here, sir!
This is great Patrick thanks. Will try the Classic Sirassana, just about to start my practice, (late today) will post a Vid of it later whether it goes well or ill. Landing on the nose Ouch! been there, done that and bought the bloodied t-shirt, though mine was in a press to handstand attempt, why do we do this?
60 breaths....is that all? Is he talking full ujaii breath or 60 of those panting breaths.
Two weeks / 60 breaths...what is wrong with these people.
"Recently a proficient Intermediate practitioner walked into my humble Sunday afternoon room....." sounds like the opening of an Ashtanga joke
Guy walks into a shala and says...
So are you taking on the pepsi challange?
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