This document describes the finishing sequence of an Ashtanga yoga practice. It begins with one sitting pose (Padmasana) followed by a closing mantra and relaxation pose (Shavasana) until the breath and attention subside and sweat evaporates. For more experienced practitioners, additional tranquil poses are added. A few backbends and plank poses are included to maintain energetic dynamics. Steady breathing, subtle muscle contractions and focused perception bring mental peace at the culmination of the practice.

1. Vinyāsa & Cakrāsana
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ex
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ex ex ex
exUjjĀYī
VINYĀSA
UjjĀYī
VINYĀSA
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nose nose nose 3. eye nable noseDṚṢṬI
DṚṢṬI
Matsyāsana Uttāna Pādāsana
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Sālamba Sarvāṅgāsana Halāsana Karṇa Pīḍāsana Ūrdhva Padmāsana Piṇḍāsana
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DṚṢṬI
UjjĀYī
VINYĀSA
DṚṢṬI
UjjĀYī
VINYĀSA
...
Baddha Padmāsana Yoga Mudrā Padmāsana Utplutiḥ Śavāsana
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0-10xin 10-25xin in10-25xin ex relax 10-20 minutes
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eyes
3. eye
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Finishing Sequence
© ashtangayoga.info Dr. Ronald Steiner, 2015
This is part of the light version of the practice sheet. The coloured, foldable original is available on ashtangayoga.info
With the Finishing Sequence, the Aṣṭāṅga Yoga practice comes to its energetic
culmination. The steady audible breathing (Ujjāyī ) leads you inward, subtle
muscle contractions (Bandha) activate the flow of energy (Prāṇa), and the focus of
perception (Ḍṛṣti ) brings mental peace.
For novices, the sequence consists of only one sitting posture (Padmāsana), fol-
lowed by the Closing Mantra (see there), and finally a relaxation posture
(Śavāsana) until attention and breathing subside, and the last drop of sweat eva-
porates. With cumulative experience in practice, further tranquil positions (Āsana)
are gradually added to complete the Finishing Sequence. Only a few movement
sequences through a plank pose (Vinyāsa ) or backwards roll (Cakrāsana )
hold the underlying dynamics of the practice up.
Śīrṣāsana Ūrdhva
Daṇḍāsana
(1-20x Beine
heben & senken)
Bālāsana
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nable
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