Kino, splits from Ashtanga. Trivikramasana, Supta trivikramasana, Hanumanasana, Sama konasana, Paschimottanasana

"37 Trivikramasana (Figure 4.85) This has 7 vinyasas. From the 1st to the 5th vinyasas and then the 7th vinyasa, practise following those for utthita hasta padangushtasana. Practise the 2nd and 7th vinyasas as shown in the picture (study it carefully) and remain in these positions. The 2nd vinyasa is the right-side trivikramasana sthiti. The 6th vinyasa as shown is the left-side trivikramasana sthiti. The picture shown here only demonstrates the left-side trivikramasana. It is important that equal recaka and puraka kumbhaka must be carefully observed while practising this asana. Keep the gaze fixed on the midbrow. Both legs must be held straight and must not lean or bend to any side. Benefit: Not only will it maintain the body in an equal balanced sthiti, it will rapidly awaken kundalini. " from Krishnamacharya's Yoga Makaranda

Have to admit I was all Kino'd out for a while there.

So many videos, felt like a new one released everyday, too much.

All good stuff of course, Kino has the BEST practice tips, hopefully these will have found their way into her upcoming book, The power of Ashtanga yoga.


Wish she'd been making and releasing all these videos back when I first started, as it was I had to pretty much work it out for myself. You Home Ashtangi's just coming to the practice, don't realise how spoiled you are : )

One thing I never could work out for myself though was the splits, ....actually that's not true, I managed Hanumanasana eventually and even Samakonasana, although I haven't tried either for a year or so, both long gone.

Trivikramasana and supta trivikramasana were the two postures from 3rd, or Advanced A, that I never felt I really nailed, they were lame attempts and perhaps the only postures left in Ashtanga that I thought would always be beyond me, just didn't believe I was built for them.

How often have we said that but here's Kino making you think that perhaps one spoke to soon. As ever she makes the impossible sound possible, even probable with the appropriate amount of practice and dedication.

So here are all Kino's recent split videos in one place. If you only have time to watch one I recommend the second on Supta Trivikramasanathat's the one that blew me away and reminded me why Kino still rocks.

If your still relatively new to the practice then don't even think about trying this (love you hamstrings, be good to them, the slightest pull will make practice uncomfortable for months and I won't even think about trying these again until after Manju's workshop in August.) but instead note that in all of these I think she stresses the importance of a good forward bend. Paschimottanasana that first asana in Primary series (apart from danadasana) that we so often take for granted ( know I used to ) still perhaps the greatest asana in all the Ashtanga series....with perhaps the exception of Samasthith.

Kino's Paschimottanasana video is at the end and I've also included Darby's because it's even better.