Sharath's Primary Series DVD Plus his Dwi Pada entry to Sputa K also Utkatasana and Virabhadrasana exits

So we've been wondering about Sharath's, frankly quite marvellous, Dwi pada Sirsasasana. How does he manage to get into the posture and look so darned comfortable. In my previous post I showed you my own, hunched up, version but also Iyengar's, a little hunched too it has to be said (which made me feel  better). However, If I want to consider staying in the posture for 50 breaths re the Rishi Approach (see my previous posts), Sharath's version is called for. In fact if even if your just staying for the regular five breaths you really donut want to be hunched and have any pressure on the back of the neck if you can help it.

Sharath's DVD is of Primary series so it doesn't cover Dwi pada sirsasana (2nd series asana) but it does include the dwi pada entry to sputa Kurmasana.

Unfortunately it's not that much different than my own, what does he do different for the 2nd series version where you stay in the posture for five breaths, is there different placement or did he just get better at it?

The DVD is excellent by the way, beautifully produced. Back when I first started Ashtanga and for quite some time, I was doing the shorter, forty minute David Swenson version of the practice offered in the back of his Ashtanga book and on his  video 'Ashtanga Short forms'. Sharath's DVD goes at quite a pace, the whole practice in just over an hour and yet it never seems rushed. I practiced along with this video for a long time, it allowed me to practice the full series before rushing off to work.

Later I just got up earlier and would slow the practice down as much as possible, back then though when I thought I only had an hour to practice, Sharath's DVD was a godsend.

Here's another preview, this time of Utkatasana to Virabhadrasana showing the exits Sharath was encouraging us to use in conference recently.

Utkatasana exit

Virabhadrasana exit

Here's my attempt at these in slowmo, I seem to remember somebody saying that Sharath would make you hold the lift for a bit before letting you take it back to Chaturanga. What I'm trying to show here is how you shift the weight forward, shoulders above the hands even a little in front of them. I take the leg up a little high in the virabhadrasana and pointing the foot would make it a little more elegant but you get the idea.

Here's what they have to say about Sharath's DVD on the KPJAYI website

Ashtanga Yoga Primary Series with R. Sharath was filmed in New York City during Pattabhi Jois’s 2002 world tour. Our mission was to convey the essence of Pattabhi Jois’s Ashtanga Yoga: continuous movement, dispassionate action, performed with focus, agility and strength. Sharath has been instructed in the practice and teaching of Ashtanga Yoga by Pattabhi Jois (his grandfather) for most of his life. What better place is there to learn, than from the source of Ashtanga Yoga?

What you will see in this DVD is a continuously filmed, three camera shoot, done with a minimum number of edits. We have added a few extra shots, such as an overhead angle, and a few close-ups to present a complete picture of the practice. Three digital camcorders were used in the film sequences, and a digital camera for the stills. You can see all three cameras angles in the ’split scene’ sequences. The colors are rich and beautiful.

The DVD is designed as a led class; Sharath calls out the practice in a voice over track as he demonstrates, uninterruptedly, the primary series on screen. The DVD menu design allows you to skip to individual asanas, or to play the whole practice. The subtitle track lists the asana names. This DVD will prove to be an important reference work that one can return to again and again when questions arise about specifics of the Primary Series.

Produced and Edited by Dominic Corigliano
Set Direction Caroline Laskow and Mary Wigmore
Cinematography Ku-Ling
Graphic Art Design Saskia Vidler

For more information and for purchasing the dvd, visit www.ashtangaproductions.com

Ashtanga Yoga Class, Primary Series with Sharath Rangaswamy

Audio CD; Length 72 minutes.