Learning to "fly" into chaturanga/out of downward facing dog

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

Hello all,

I’d like to start readying myself to learn how to “fly” into chaturanga from uttanasana (also called a jump-back, I believe) and how to fly into uttanasana from downward facing dog.

I do realize that these movements will take lots of time to learn and are generally not easy to do.

I have David Swenson’s book “Ashtanga Yoga: The Practice Manual” which addresses these movements (the mechanics of flight I think he calls it).

I’m looking for suggestions on other books, articles that articulate how to achieve these movements. I want to read in words what my body should be doing prior to attempting to start learning these movements.

Currently, I have been practicing yoga (mainly ashtanga/vinyasa-based) for oh, almost 2 years now. I can jump back from uttanasana into chaturanga. However I’d like to learn to “fly/float” instead of jump. I’d like to learn to land lightly, and with grace.

I am also able to jump from downward dog into uttanasana. I am able to land lightly “like a cat” as some teachers have described it. But I usually land with bent knees. I’m interested in learning how to “fly/float” forward into uttanasana.

I’ve seen some teachers do this and have also watched videos (you tube). I love the fluidity and grace that these movements exude. I can appreciate the skill and practice that are required to achieve these movements.

I want to make these movements some of my personal yoga goals that I’d like to work towards in 2010. I feel no pressure to learn to do them, its just something I’d like to challenge myself with.

-Are there any books/articles/videos that you would recommend that address the mechanics/movement/weight distribution that occur during jump backs and flying forward?

-Which asanas should I already be able to do with ease before I attempt to start learning to “fly”?

-Any other advice/wisdom/tips are greatly appreciated!

Cheers,

Andrea

#2

I have been practicing for a year and a half and I would be curious as to what advice would be given. I’m intersted in this also.

#3

this movement comes from the work of bandha and breath (uddiyana and muhla bandha) and the regular practice,also its got to help if you are relatively young and light,As david swenson says it can help to understand the mechanics especially if your mind resonds to that .John scott used to talk about the under carriage ,as in an aeroplane.I would of thought a proper ie authorised teacher of ashtanga vinyasa would help. Its many years since i practiced ashtanga but why would you fly out of down dog to caturanga ? floating from uttanasa to caturanga makes sense. A tip i would give, is to think of keeping the hips forward over the shoulders as though you were going into a handstand.
Lastly not to get to caught up in floating, it will come or not and I dont suppose it will bring us to any greater realisations , but you dont sound too grasping ,good luck.
You might be interested in a youtube of john scott doing a practice where he is blinfolded and has his ears covered .He of course is a great floater,if you are in to floating.

#4

Yes I would also consult with a teacher. But right now I am in between yoga studios as I have moved and have yet to find a good local teacher.

I’m not sure where I mentioned that I wanted to go from downward dog to chaturanga…I said uttanasana (forward fold) to chaturanaga and downward dog to uttanasana.

I don’t think the floating will “just come”. I believe I must set it as a goal and make an honest effort to work towards it. I have come a far way with lots of practice.

What do you mean that I don’t sound too grasping? What are you talking about?

Thanks for the John Scoot suggestion. I will look it up.

Also you said “…if you are into floating.” Its not a matter of being INto or not INto something.

I asked about these movements because I am interested and want to learn more about them. Obviously to each his/her own. And for me, I’d like to try to learn these movements to see if they are something I am able to work towards and would benefit my practice. I may find that I do not wish to include these movements once I have learned them, depending on what benefit or not they bring to me.

Cheers.

#5

Hello Amz
Im sorry but I didnt mean to send that reply , or rather I edited it after re reading your question and realising my misunderstanding of the op, unfortunately my edited version didnt seem to appear and we have got the one i didnt mean to send. I dont seem to be able to write a response while having the original post on the same screen im not very computer literate.
To explain myself though , I mentioned perhaps a skilled astanga vinyasa teacher mysore style ,as having practiced on retreats ,workshops etc with yogis /yoginis from different traditions the only ones i have seen fly/float have beeen those with a dedicated asthanga vinyasa practice or who have at some stage had such a practice.I m sure others can fly I just havent met any.
I mainly edited my post because of my misunderstanding of what you were trying to achieve .Just to offer more advice when jumping from down dog to
uttanasana have your focus/drishti forwards between the hands and if you are not already you could bend the legs up to the chest to make the transition and balance easier,also work on the bandhas is going to reap big rewards ,so a little pranayama practice with awareness of mulha bandha and uddiyana bandha will be positive.
I said that floating will come or not ,as over the years I have seem dedicated ashtanga vinyasa practitioners ,that from my external viewpoint have amazing practices and some float effortlessly others dont float,it may come as a result of the practices , it may not.just my observation.
when I talk about grasping I am referring to Aparigraha one of the yamas
I mention it because of the non attachment principle,so we can find joy in our intentions and practice ,free from expectation of result.Having very occasionally witnessed peoples frustration and tears at not being able to achieve this posture or that technique thought it worth reminding ourselves.
I do know a precious soul who does the most amazing things while balancing on their hands , unfortunately their wrists are injured because of it and they still continue to practice these intoxicating balances,it is very diffcult for them to let go of.
Generally I was talking about your enquiry being being free from this grasping and being a healthy and interested look at a part of your yoga .Of course a understanding of the bandhas is an important and useful teaching of yoga.Its kind of complimentary towards you.
I hear the bit about not being or being into something .
I can hear and see your interest in these movements and how they may lead to understandings for you.I mention the John scott youtube because he has the qualities of lightness grace and control,which I thought may inspire you.I mentioned that particular you tube because of I thought it could remind us of the internal nature of the yogic enquiry,which would help greatly when learning to fly.
I had the privelege and honour to work with john on a regular basis many years ago when I was younger and lighter ,Im currently doing something about the lighter,the younger is gone.But I just wanted to say that the nearest I got to that feeling of flying was coming out of the seated postures into down dog this was when I was doing vinyasas betwen each side,those days have gone but i still can connect with that feeeling,although im probably over using the shoulders.
Good luck with your journey,I will look forward to hearing of your
news .
yours in yoga

#6

Thanks for your extended response :smiley:

I definately not putting any “pressure” on myself to learn and keep such movements in my practice. I’m more just curious as to what is involved. I do realize that these are advanced movements and respect those who are able to understand the mechanics behind such flight and achieve it.

Sounds like my first step may be to work on improving bandha control and strength.

Does anyone have any suggestions for “baby steps” that can be practiced that will enable me to work toward such “flight”?

#7

hi amz155,

Does anyone have any suggestions for “baby steps” that can be practiced that will enable me to work toward such “flight”?

the best thing i can suggest for you is that you patiently do your practice until
you have enough strength do to do these jump-backs gracefully.
all the postures in the ashtanga sequence are preparing you for that.

for some it comes easily while others, like yours truly, have to practice
many years to ‘fly’.

you are on the right track with david’s manual. another great tool i find
is richard freeman’s dvd’s and audio lectures.

meanwhile, enjoy the journey (often more fun than the destination).

wim

#8

you’re discussing one of the things i most look forward to in surya namaskar. As you’ll see from my description, I started doing these “float backs” not based on what it would look like, or any end result for that matter, but as the culmination of several small muscle contractions. In fact, I’m not even sure WHAT it looks like, but I know it’s fun and has wonderful benefits, and people do comment on it quite a lot (not to stimulate my or your ego but just as a reference from outside eyes. it’s all for god anyways). I haven’t been practicing for very long, so excuse me if everything i’m going to say is elementary, but I’ll attempt to share the thought process that became my “flying into chaturanga”.

The first thing I thought was “what would happen if I engaged uddiyana bandha as much as possible on the way back?” this slowed the movement, and started me thinking: “how can I slow down as much as possible”? I don’t like flopping or falling, so try to make every “transitional” movement as slowly as possible, looking at them as a series of asanas. anyways, from forward fold i place my hands solidly on the ground, wrist creases parallel to the front of the mat, and lean forward until i feel an engagement in the creases. I bend my elbows a little at this point, keeping them close to my body, and lean forward into a kind of crow, with the knees not on the arms but sucked into the belly. The elbows bend less and less over time, and i could imagine that someday they won’t bend at all. then i lean EVEN more forward and, bhandas engaged, slowly float the feet back to where they go for chatur. (the legs will straighten by this point obviously) and then slowly put them down. The bhandas are ESSENTIAL for keeping the legs together.

I used to, when learning these movements, float my legs back at a 45-80 degree angle from the ground, which was easier to hold but harder to come down softly. A teacher once likened me to a hammer, and I thought that i’d better re-think it at that point. I suppose, though, that it might be fun to go up into this bent-arm handstand thingy (elbows next to floating ribs) then come back down into sucked-leg crow then float backwards parallel to the ground, because i always have extra breath on the exhale and am waiting to finish it before updog. if that makes any sense.

hope this was helpful; if you’d like me to record a video of these movements and post it on youtube for you to take a look at shoot me an email. jeanpierreparent@yahoo.com

#9

also - it’s fun to go from straight-legged seated pose, through navasana and then pull the legs in and crossed at the ankles between the arms, and go through the sequence to chaturanga, then back!

#10

hi jean pierre,

please post that video, i am sure many of us are curious.

thank you,
wim

#11

…

#12

the site wouldn’t let me post a link yet, so if you go to youtube and search

floating into chaturanga

you’ll see it.

thanks for the opportunity to become more aware in my practice.

also - check out sadie nardini’s LEARN THE JUMP BACK [FOR ALL LEVELS!] she’s amazing

#13

Hello! I have recently been wondering the same thing. I got one detail here that is really important I think. I was watching David Swensons first series video when he explained how to jump forward to sitting pose, and he said: “It’s not a matter of tall arms, you just have to practise on twisting your hip up so your legs come up and close to your body”.

And… of course, to accomplish that you have to stretch alot so you can do it without strains. I’m a beginner myself and can not do it. I’m not rushing anything either, I just think it’s good with small challenges. Every time I move closer to this :slight_smile: check out this good slowmo video: youtube.com/watch?v=Wr0Ba0_fkBs

#14

…I forgot to mention Michael Gannons video “From Earth to Heaven”. He has really beautiful technique I think. As a previous wushu practitioner I admire beautiful technique :slight_smile:

#15

Please, remember that yoga is not about “place the led over the ear” or “get in ti the split” or “fly into chataranga”. Yoga is an experience and a journey. One day you will just feel that you can do something new - and you will do it. If you practicing to fly into chataranga - you will one day. Just be patient and do not think about looking cool but feeling cool:)

#16

But you feel cool if you can do things better :slight_smile: I know that it will just come some day, but we can’t just sit and NOT care about details, like in Akarna Dhanurasana, we wouldn’t come so far if we not try to push a little more. But of course, not too much focus on that. “Lagom” as we say in swedish :slight_smile: