06/08/2026
The finishing sequence is vitally important and has many benefits that go beyond just strength and flexibility.
Unfortunately, it is often rushed through or left out altogether-leaving you ungrounded and unsettled making relaxation less accessible & peaceful.
The finishing sequence rounds off the dynamic nature of the practice. The standing, seated & backbending postures all cultivate & rouse energy within the body. It is important to consolidate and ground that energy before moving out into the world. The poses in the closing sequence of are designed to:
✨calm the nervous system
✨cool the body
✨return it to balance.
It includes counterposes and inversions.
There are 7 finishing postures with correct vinyasa that links each posture in the sequence into a beautiful routine that is performed in sequential order. They bring the body into balance, circulation, heat production, heart rate & breathing all return to a steady level.
With the first 5 refresh the whole body & the last 2 are counter postures.
Sirsansa follows & has the same benefits as Sarvangasana. Both are the method for storing the vital life force within the body.
The last 3 postures - Padmasana - is traditionally done by first placing the right leg then the left leg on top because the internal body is assymetrical (spleen on the left and liver on the right side of the abdomen).
When we bind the lotus for baddha padmasana, it is to close off the circuit of energy within the body. Folding forward, the heels lightly press into the lower abdomen stimulating digestion.
Utpluthih is for strength & abdominal control along with making the body light.
Finally, rest.
Complete relaxation is important for the assimilation of prana. The physical postures open up the body to be more receptive to the prana, when we lay down to relax we allow the body to soak it all in and in order to allow this, it is suggested that for every hour of practice we are to rest for 10 minutes.
