How long must a yogasana routine last, and how long is each asana held?
A · Advanced · The artistic and rhythmic events · 2 of 4A routine in the artistic and rhythmic events must last between 150 and 180 seconds, and every asana must be held for at least five seconds. Time is worth 10 marks: up to 5 for the length of the routine and 0.5 for each of the ten holds. A hold shorter than five seconds makes that asana invalid.
How it works
- The clock: starts with the music and ends with the closing gesture or namaste.
- Routine marks (TW): 3 for 150 to 160 seconds, 4 for 161 to 170 and 5 for 171 to 180.
- Under 150 seconds: no routine marks.
- Over 180 seconds: 0.5 marks off for each second. After 10 seconds more, disqualification.
- Hold marks (TA): 0.5 for each asana held for five seconds or more, up to 5.
- A short hold: the asana is invalid and scores zero.
- When a hold is counted: from the moment the athlete freezes in the asana until they leave it.
- Two time judges: each with two stopwatches, and their scores are averaged.
- Whole seconds: times are rounded, so 6.5 on the watch counts as 7.
The glossary has the performance time, the minimum holding of an asana, the time judges, the invalid asana, the namaste greeting and the holding time.
Tricky cases
A routine lasts 158 seconds. Does it get full time marks?
No. It gets 3 of the 5 routine marks. Full marks need 171 to 180 seconds.
A routine ends at 183 seconds. What is the penalty?
1.5 marks, at 0.5 for each second over 180. Beyond 190 seconds the athlete is disqualified.
One time judge records a hold of five seconds and the other four. Is the asana valid?
Yes. Where the two differ in that way the time is taken as five seconds. If both record four, it is four.
One judge times a routine at 149 seconds and the other at 150. Does it score?
Yes. A margin of three seconds applies when one judge has it under 150 and the other at 150 or more, and the routine is treated as 150 seconds.
Why the rule exists
An asana that is touched and left at once has not been shown, so each one needs a hold the judges can see. The routine marks favour athletes who use nearly the full three minutes, which stops a rushed routine, and the overtime penalty stops a routine from running on.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 150 to 160 seconds | 3 marks | Code of Points, artistic single 7.8 |
| 161 to 170 seconds | 4 marks | Code of Points, artistic single 7.8 |
| 171 to 180 seconds | 5 marks | Code of Points, artistic single 7.8 |
| Over 180 seconds | 0.5 off a second; out after 10 | Code of Points, artistic single 7.9 |
| Pair events | The hold is counted when both athletes are still | Code of Points, artistic pair 7.12 |
| Traditional event | Fixed holds of 15 to 60 seconds | Code of Points, traditional 2 |
From the rule book
Code of Points for yogasana sports, Chapter 5, Guidelines for Yogasana Events (School Games Federation of India copy, edition not stated), section 7 of each music event. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: the national federation's Code of Points (only Chapter 5 is saved).