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Closing Sequence
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Strike a Pose: Closing Sequence
The Closing Sequence of Ashtanga Yoga is a powerful and grounding way to end a vigorous class. These particular poses are not limited to just Ashatanga; you can find many of them in other styles of yoga as well. So if you practice yoga, it's good to be familiar with this popular sequence.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Lifted Lotus
I have been showing you all the poses of the Closing Sequence of Ashtanga Yoga, and here is the second to last pose. This is the last of the seated postures and it really works your abs. It's called Lifted Lotus for obvious reasons; your legs are in lotus and you're lifting your entire lower body off the ground.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Lotus
Lotus is the next pose in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga after Bound Lotus. This is the pose I'm sure everyone thinks of when they think of yoga. It's a calming pose that many people choose to meditate in, and many yoga classes often begin or end in this pose.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Bound Lotus
We're up to the last three poses in the closing sequence of Ashtanga Yoga. They're all poses that involve having your legs in full lotus. This pose not only stretches your hips, but it also opens your chest and stretches your shoulders and lower back.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Headstand A and B
Inversions are some of my favorite types of Yoga poses because I love how energized I feel getting blood circulating to my head. Plus overcoming the challenge of putting your head where your feet should be is quite satisfying. Talk about an ego boost.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Extended Fish
After doing Shoulderstand, it feels great to open up your throat and stretch through the front of your body in Fish pose. Here's a variation called Extended Fish. Not only does it stretch out your throat and chest, but it also works your abs and increases flexibility in your spine.
Strike a Pose: Embryo
I love poses that really stretch out your spine, and this pose called Embryo will give you an amazing stretch from your neck to your tailbone. It's one the postures of the Ashtanga closing sequence, but you'll find it in other yoga classes as well.
Sanskrit Name: Pindasana
English Translation: Embryo Pose
Also Called: Baby Pose
Want to see how to get into it?
Strike a Yoga Pose: Fish
There are some yoga poses that just about everyone has heard of or done. Down Dog, Tree, Seated Forward Bend - these are pretty standard poses that anyone can practice, so they tend to be included in many yoga classes. Fish pose is another pretty popular pose, and it's a counter-pose for Shoulderstand since it stretches out the throat, chest and shoulders in the opposite direction.
Strike a Yoga Pose: Balancing Lotus
If you're loving stretching out your upper back and neck doing Shoulderstand and Ear Pressure pose, you're going to love doing Balancing Lotus. This pose also works your back and core muscles, and it's fun to practice staying up.
Sanskrit Name: Urdhva Padmasana
English Translation: Upward Lotus Pose
Also Called: Balancing Lotus
Want to know the secret for staying balanced without falling?
Strike a Yoga Pose: Ear Pressure
I love how Shoulderstand pose stretches out the back of my neck, and I love to do the Ear Pressure pose to deepen the stretch. It stretches your entire spine brilliantly, and because your knees are pressed against your ears, you drown out all outside sounds and can really bring your awareness inward.
Sanskrit Name: Karnapidasana
English Translation: Ear Pressure Pose
Also Called: Knees to Ears
Want to give it a try?
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