The pañca-krama (the five classification of sequences)

Compositions (vinyāsa) having same division (vibhāga) are brought together into a group (bhāga – lit. part or portion). All the part having same number of breaths are harmoniously brought together in order to create a sequence (krama). We can create infinite numbers of sequences (krama) which are finally classified in five groups (Pañca-krama); in order of sequencing:

  • upakrama (lit. pre-sequence or warm-up)
  • prāsthānika (lit. favourable to start the practice – opening sequence)
  • prādhānika (lit. main – the main body of the practice)
  • ānuṣaṅgika (lit. closely adherent, secondary – following the main body of the practice)
  • saṃprāpti (lit. obtaining the altogether result – closing sequence)

The upakrama (lit. warm-up) has two parts. The first part (prathamo bhāga) is created by combining the starting composition (prasthāna vinyāsa) with the closing composition (saṃprāpti vinyāsa) of the opening sequence (prāsthānika); the the second part (dvitīyo bhāga) is created by combining the starting composition (prasthāna vinyāsa), the connective composition (yauktika vinyāsa) and the closing composition (saṃprāpti vinyāsa) of the opening sequence (prāsthānika). Thus pre-sequence (upakrama) is created according to the sequences, for the purpose of warming up the group of muscles more actively engaged for that specific sequence.

The finishing part of every closing sequence (saṃprāpti) is called  phalaprāpti (lit. getting the fruits or results). If one has no time or energy to practice the whole closing sequence (saṃprāpti) can practice only the phalaprāpti. The phalaprāpti is basically a shorten closing sequence.

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