Sunday, 16 August 2026

Vinyasa Krama Seated-angle pose subroutine addition to primary

In the previous post I mentioned how I'm using Vinyasa Krama to adapt my Primary and Intermediate series. The Sequences in Ramaswami's Complete book of Vinyasa Yoga are made up of subroutines built around a key pose, often it's variations. The video below is of the Seated-angle pose ( Upavishta Konasana ) Subroutine that I've been slipping into my Primary between Kukkatasana and Badha Konasana. It would probably go well before Kumasana too if you want the extra bit of hip opening before the Leg behind head entry to Supta Kumasana.


Does it disrupt the flow of Primary? It's a little different, five minutes without a jump back but then primary goes a little weird after badha konasana anyway. If I slipped it into Primary earlier in the sequence it might be disruptive but by the time I get to Kukkutasana I'm pretty settled into the rhythm of the practice, it becomes a welcome change of pace, refreshing to work yourself deeper and deeper into a pose.

The other Vinyasa Krama additions I've made have tended to be the odd pose or Mudra here and there. I'm being careful not to overbalance the series. If I wanted to do an inverted Subroutine in headstands, say, then I would probably drop this one and do the inverted instead. So far it's been working out well, practice has been excellent this week.

Taking a rest day today as I think I might be going down with something. Woke up dizzy yesterday, kept veering to the right and banging into things. Standing was quite comical, it was as if I was practicing on a boat in rough seas. Managed to get through the practice but was feeling nauseous through all the forward bends. I checked and I haven't taken a rest day since 31st march, must force myself to take one a week, perhaps just some extended Pranayama and meditation later today and leave it at that.

5 comments:

Unknown said...

Take a rest day once in a while! Geez... I always feel super strong and light after taking a day off. It's absolutely worth it.

I love what you're doing, blending the ashtanga and vinyasa krama, by the way. I like to think there's no need to choose.

Grimmly said...

I know, I should, i usually do take one day off a week. I think i took a morning off but then i was doing those odd evening practices so it ended up being three weeks. Feel restless as hell when I don't practice, but your right, it's always good the day after resting.

You get used to that fixed Ashtanga practice every morning.Then of course there's the rituals and routine you use as a home Ashtangi to get you on the mat every morning, makes you crave a fixed practice. So even though I'm adapting my practice and want a certain freedom I kind of want that fixed and planned in. Pretty comical really.

Claudia said...

hmmm I really like those variations on upavista konasana, wish I could do them too, i may have to start doing some home practice, is not fair that the "homeys" get all the fun... hee hee

and for Patanjali's sake DO take a break ... :-)

StEvE said...

I agree with Claudia (above), definitely take a break matey! Even dedicated practitioners like yourself have to practice 'not practicing'. It's all a part of the wonderful challenge.

Grimmly said...

'Practice not practicing', like that. In my defence i was practicing Vinyasa Krama in the morning which is less strenuous. Wasn't trying to be hardcore just forgot. Had a great practice this morning after yesterdays rest.

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