Yoga Asana Championship - Judges Guidelines For Degree Of Difficulty

Footnotes:

1.    a)  These point values are a guideline for the maximum number of points to be awarded                        

      to a competitor who demonstrates technical mastery of the posture.  A competitor                        

      should not be awarded the maximum point value for a posture unless he/she has achieved                        

      the traditional final position of the posture.  For postures which may be completed in                         

      different ways, please refer to the Final Position column for the traditional final position(s).                        

    b)  Judges may add 0.5 point to any competitor's maximum score because of extraordinary                        

      depth, consistent with the integrity of the posture.  'Flourishes' added to a the final position of                        

      a posture shall not receive any extra points but may be subject to deduction.                        

    c)  Competitors are encouraged to choose a combination of optional postures which                         

      covers all three skill categories.  Judges may make a deduction of one full point for                         

      for each skill category not included.                         

    d)  When called upon to score a posture which is not listed, judges shall find the closest                         

      related posture which is listed and make an appropriate adjustment to the maximum                         

      point value.                        

                            

2.    These categories are for ease of reference only and have no bearing on judging or scoring.                        

      Please note that a posture may belong in more than one category but is only listed once.                        

                            

3.    The Final Position notes are meant to clarify frequently asked questions regarding the traditional final                           

      position of the posture and are not intended as a complete description of the posture itself.                        

                            

4.    Full Wheel may also be finished with both elbows on floor, hands holding ankles or interlocked,                         

      with chin and throat on the floor between feet. From standing, elbows must be lowered to the floor in a                        

       controlled manner, otherwise it shall be considered a fall.  For example, if there is an audible                         

      sound when elbows touch the floor, indicating lack of control, it shall be considered a fall.                        

                            

5.    This posture may not be appropriate for international competition.      

                 

FAQ's

Question: For Full Cobra and Full Bow, if the competitor brings the feet under chin and let's go with both hands, would this be considered exceptional depth of a pose or a flourish?

Answer: It would be considered a flourish.  Letting go of the hands is not consistent with the integrity of either posture.  See the Final Position comments for more information on the final position of those postures.