Finishing postures

[Guest guest]

I am a beginner and do not live near any Astanga

teachers. Other than a few classes while on trips I have

mostly learned from the book. I have developed a very

regular (6 days) practice with the standing postures and

have just recently begun to add the first few postures

of the Primary Series. My question to all of you is

when should I start to add the full finishing postures

to my practice? To this point I have just done

mudra, padmasana, and uth pluthi. Is it best to learn

the finishing potures before the Primary Series or

the other way around? Any input would be greatly

appreciated.

[Guest guest]

i should preface my response with my usual

caution that i am fairly new to the practice myself.

<br><br>that being said, i don't know of any reason why you

should not include the whole closing sequence. some of

the postures, especially the inverted ones will be

easier to get right if you can get some help but none

are exceptionally challenging physically--especially

if you can already get into padmasana.

<br><br>headstand could tough to learn on your own, so try and get

some help there if you can. it really makes a

difference in how you learn it. i tried to learn to do it

the way i saw the instructors do it, moving my toes

closer and closer to my elbows until the body tilt

forward causes the toes to come off the ground. from

there it was a fairly short progression to find the

balance points as i learned to straighten the torso while

elevating the feet over head with legs straight. my wife on

the other hand, bless the dear, (she's started to

read these things now) has been learning to do

headstand by trying to throw the feet up while using a wall

as a backstop. six months later and she's only been

able to do it once or twice on her own.<br><br>i would

be cautious about chakrasana, too. not many people

do it too well, it seems like. i tweaked my neck the

first time i tried it, so i've decided to do the usual

vinyasa until i get stronger and can push better with my

hands. but i'm a fairly cautious type.<br><br>by all

means include them all (correct me if i'm wrong, gang).

after all, the closing sequence is the best part--as

in, "thank god, we made it to closing sequence--i

thought i was gonna cag there for a while"

[Guest guest]

As far as I know, it is good to learn the full

finishing sequence along with sunsalutes. This alone is

like a "mini-practice" - short (20 mins) but somewhat

complete in itself. <br>When suryanamascar and finishing

poses are somewhat clear, standing poses and

floor-poses of 1st series are added gradually between those

"bookends" over some weeks, until one practices the full

first series. <br><br>It is VERY important - especially

in the beginning - to maintain regular personal

contact with at least one experienced practitioner,

teacher, whatever; someone who one trusts and who one can

discuss personal questions with. On this board people

will answer questions, and will share inspiring points

of view. But especially in the beginning a personal,

whole-being relationship is vital IMO.

[Guest guest]

I totally agree.