The ups and down of Ashtanga's kapotasana

March 2012


I forget what happened after that, I should look back and check. I might have switched back to Vinyasa Krama for a while ( but that doesn't make sense as Ramaswami's Bow sequence makes for great kapo). Anyway I let my kapo slip such that I was barely landing on my toes. I thought perhaps that was that, a glory kapo gone never to return. Turns out kapo's do come back, a couple of weeks and I was back to  grabbing my heels. nice to know which is why I posted on it.

Feb 2013


I even explored it with David Robson's drums, taking it nice and slow.

Feb 2013


That was back in February, it was around that time I began to explore in practice Krishnamacharya's Asana descriptions in Yoga Makaranda. That was followed by, what, revisiting Primary but taking it really slow and with long stays. Intermediate series was out of the picture.

And then I had that three months of disruptive practice with the Kidney stones and what have you, very  basic practice although I managed to get a couple of good weeks in before Manju's TT in Crete. The TT was interesting actually, third day I figured I might as well have a go at my 2nd in the Mysore Morning practice of the course, it was hot and sweaty in Kristina's shala, felt I could do manage almost anything there. Turned out there was still a fairly acceptable 2nd including kapo. I really don't remember much about the actual Kapo's  though, I think I landed back near my feet and managed to grab my toes, mostly I remember those first lagu vajrasana assists.

Coming back from Crete there was Manju's led Primary at Stillpoint yoga to look forward to, so again Intermediate on hold, focus on primary.

No more excuses, this week I started to revisit 2nd and it's a bit of a mess, neglected.... there's a lot of fuzz. I could list the catalogue of shame but I wont bother, sure you can guess/imagine.

Shame, who am I kidding, it's just asana, and yet I do feel I've let my discipline, as reflected in the practice ( and my waistline), slip a little.

So here then is where I'm at now, my kapo after what six months away from it, this is a marker of sorts to see if it will come back and how long it takes. I think the first time I went away and came back ( see above) I'd retained the flexibility in the back, looking at the screen shot below that seems to have gone completely ( and yet i still drop back and come up....just) or is it more that I've lost strength in my quads and can't keep my legs vertical, I remember that being key...? No doubt a little of both.

I figure this time I should be more aware of what's going on as it does come back (Assuming it does). I keep getting asked about kapo, how I worked at it, what made the difference, hopefully this time around I'll have a clearer understanding.

Sept 2013


And because my practice fee's so disrupted, so out of sorts, the Mysore room idea is on hold for now, some 121 Vinyasa Krama classes still but more than anything I want to re establish my own Ashtanga practice ( I practice my Vinyasa krama seperately), ground it, feel settled in it before I consider the challenges of holding a space for others.

Oh, my approach?

Basically still an Ashtanga framework , Standing, Manju's pre 2nd series pashimottanasana and purvotanasana ( yes he includes them in his 2nd series it seems) then into pasanaa and krounchasana before sliding into Ramaswami's Bow sequence ( Basically the postures leading up to kapo in 2nd but with more variations, more prep).

from my Vinyasa Krama  practice book

Then a little of the Vinyasa Krama meditative sequence built around vajrasana. Back on to 2nd series but leaving the early leg behind head postures to one side for now and slipping into Primary's janu sirsana's and kurmasana's instead. Pick 2nd up again at yoga nidrasana ( Karandavasana? Don't ask, not pretty) and carry on to the end and on into finishing, pranayama and meditation/chanting.