Looking for feedback

[Ben Waddell]

Hi everyone,

Just in a bid to get some feedback on my Prasara.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iZ7iNit7_vo

It's not my best effort by far. Aside from that, just watching it is giving me ideas. But I want to know what you think. I'm looking for things I'm doing well, things I need to improve (there are a few of these) and suggestions for improving.

Thanks in advance!

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

not an expert here. haven't even SEEN prasara completely yet. something did come to mind though.

you mention that this is not your best effort. is it possible that your surface changed your performance? only asking because, up to now, the only videos seen have demonstrated prasara on solid, unyielding surfaces. grass moves a bit... something like "slippery".

as an aside, only just starting intu-flow and flowfit (like a couple of weeks), so prasara is still beyond current capability.

the basic fact you are even performing these movements (at all) is quite impressive. keep it up!

thanks

[Ben Waddell]

You're absolutely right, the surface was a bit of an issue. I usually train on grass, but much shorter grass. The grass in the video was a lot thicker and softer and the ground not as flat as I was used to so it did impact on my performance to a degree.

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

how long have you been doing prasara (or that which is related to prasara)? do you use prasara for enhancement of other sports, or just for general health? are you fully into cst?

everyone seems to have different reasons for getting into this stuff, and a lot of those reasons are things one wouldn't ordinarily consider. the different approaches are interesting.

thanks

[Ben Waddell]

I can say I am fully into CST. I've been following it for about 6 years and I initially got into it for improving my martial arts.

When Prasara first came out I was already practising Body-Flow and was sort of averse to Prasara because it was yoga. It wasn't until I saw a few more resources that I realised it was essentially the same.

I get a lot of muscular aches and pains from different activities so I find Prasara is excellent for releasing areas that have tensed up.

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

hmmmm. your reason sounds familiar. got into this for the same reason. just started a few weeks ago. bought several products from rmax.

flowfit 1
immovable object unstoppable force
mastering the saddle

interestingly, could "feel" and "see" results from day 1. flowfit is difficult simply due to lack of fitness/health. it is getting easier though.

at coachjones flowbox seminar, several cst coaches recommended intu-flow. so bought that a couple days ago. intu-flow and flowfit should provide a nice "springboard" into prasara.

decided to go for full cst certification. so will have to develop all three branches. next payday it's a set of clubbells and clubbells for cst training.

also continuing with the flowfighting method. flowbox was the start. DEFINITELY going to all of coachjones seminars!

who knows, in a couple years, might be asking you for your opinion regarding parasara form!

best of all, this stuff is quite easy and it really is fun. good combination.

post some more videos of your "grassy adventures". always like to watch people doing flows.

thanks

[hideouse]

Ben, your side plank is kinked up at the waist. The side plank with raised leg can go higher, perhaps working slower would allow you to get deeper there? That's all I got for you. take my feedback with a grain of salt. I still haven't learned how to do a threading bridge. Well done mate.

[Ben Waddell]

Thanks Martin! Any feedback is appreciated! That was something I had considered as initially, Coach Sonnon had seen me doing the side plank and mentioned my hips. I think I had been sagging, now I'm over-compensating by pushing them up, so your observation was spot on!

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

hideouse, hadn't noticed anything like that until your post. went back and watched again... sure enough, it stood out. from a sheerly academic standpoint, it will be interesting to "see more details" when observing flows as time goes on.

thanks

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

ben waddell, almost forgot to ask something. is it better to learn/practice flows with an observer present? is it difficult to govern body part placement if you can't see it?

thanks

[Ben Waddell]

Lorenzo,

Yes and no...ha ha ha. Seriously, I trained for 6 years by myself at body-flow and have been told by my peers and coaches that it is of a decent standard. So in that sense, you don't. However, if you really want to improve you do need a qualified coach to have a look at your movement. There are ALWAYS subtle nuances you will have missed or not picked up on.

Especially with Prasara. Because the structure of an asana is so important to performing it correctly it can be hard to nail certain things without the benefit of an outside observer.

In short, it is beneficial to have a qualified instructor go over your movement from time to time to give you pointers to work on. The rest of it you do yourself.

Hope this helps

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

hey ben waddell! yes, it does help. can you or anyone else recommend how often to work with trainer? ideally, every session, neh? but, what would you say is the minimum?

thanks

[Ben Waddell]

Lorenzo, I wouldn't recommend every session, as this can take away the independence you gain from being able to work on a problem by yourself.

I think a good minimum would be...when you need one.

Your coach's role is to provide you with feedback, thus giving you something to work on. You go away and work on that for however long and then get it reassessed when you return.

The only person who can do the work is yourself; having the coach there all the time isn't necessary for that. Only when you wish to re-evaluate.

For example, where I live, I don't have access to a coach at all. I train by myself for about 6 months and then a CST seminar comes along where I have a bevvy of coaches to help me out. I make a list of things I think I would like looked at and then I get feedback. If I want feedback throughout the 6 months between seminars I have to post some video footage.

That 6 months gives me time to work on the feedback I receive and solve the problem by doing the work.

A good activity would be as follows:

Form a goal of what you want to achieve - eg Spider Monkey Flow

Lay out how you're going to achieve that goal - eg Practise the individual asanas, link them together into small chains and practise those, link those small chains together into the whole flow and practise that.

Make a list of what you are having trouble with - eg Side Crow Pose

Get feedback - eg record and post footage of yourself/consult a coach

Do the Work - eg return to training and work away at the feedback

Get feedback - eg one month down the track reconsult

[lorenzodamarith]

hello,

wow. ben waddell... goooooooood answer. much better than expected.

seems nearly every day, being "forced" to reassess goals (get more specific), and come up with a plan.

this is a good thing. have gotten tired of the "no plan, no real goals... just train" type of thinking.

evening is looking pretty good now!

thanks