Vinyasa Yoga: Go With The Flow

The breath-synchronized movements of Vinyasa or Flow Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a broad term used to describe a yoga class that follows performing movements or yoga asanas in sync with one’s breathing. This Yoga enables the smooth transition from one yoga asana to another according to the inhalation or exhalation of your breathing and makes the movements rhythmic like a dance. The most popular Vinyasa Yoga sequence is the Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar which is a 12 pose sequence of Hatha Yoga Asanas tuned to your breathing often performed as a warm up exercise before a Yoga session. Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga, Jivamukti Yoga, Viniyoga and Iyengar Yoga are all types of yoga that slip Vinyasa into their styles.

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa or flow yoga as it is also known is adapted in various types of yoga. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga was popularized by Pattabhi Jois. This type of yoga adapts the traditional Ashtanga or eight-limbed Yoga, and in the practice of asanas includes the breath-synchronized vinyasa flow. The breath dictates the movement and the length of time held in the postures and unlike other types of yoga that focus solely on the final posture or pose, in this method of practice attention is also placed on the journey between the postures and the steps leading to the pose.

The purpose of vinyasa is to create heat in the body, which leads to purification of the body through increased circulation and sweating. It includes the principles of Agni and inversion to purify the entire body stretching and making it limber and while strengthening it .

Hatha Flow Yoga
This already physically intensive yoga creates a strong cardiovascular workout when combined with the vinyasa style of yoga. The movements from one posture to another “flow” with the breath with very little rest in between, making it quite vigorous. The intense movement-oriented style of Hatha Vinyasa Yoga is designed to warm the body, and build stamina, strength and flexibility with the internal heat from vinyasa that tones the muscles and purifies the body.

Modern Yoga’s too like Power Yoga, Yoga Dance and Hot Yoga adapt the Vinyasa style to their movements. Flow Yoga has no rulebooks, set philosophy, or sequence that you have to follow; which is why you have room for improvisation. Depending, solely on your own level of skill students progress from one stage to the next at their own pace and level of efficiency students progress from one posture to another at their own pace and breath which decides the movement and the length of time you hold the poses.

However, to practice a vinyasa style of yoga it’s important to know the basic yoga asanas and postures well for those fluid movements. For those looking for stronger physical workout from their yoga practice, the flow of postures brought to you by Vinyasa yoga is a great way to warm the body, build stamina, strength and flexibility!

* Photo Credits: photos by smays, milopeng and myyogaonline on flickr

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Energize Your Body & Soul with these Different Types of Yoga

The term Yoga is commonly used to refer to the practice of physical postures or poses, which in reality is only a small part of the more complex ancient discipline that is – YOGA.

Yoga is a school of thought, originating from India  and includes physical, mental and spiritual practices to bring about a complete balance in a person for their well being. Over the years, a number of different types of yoga philosophies have developed, which  more stress on the physical, mental or spiritual aspects more than the others. Recently in the United States the most common style of Yoga adopted focuses purely on the physical benefits of yoga in the form of Power Yoga. Some people find that the physical practice of yoga becomes a gateway into a spiritual exploration, while others just enjoy a wonderful low-impact workout that makes them feel great. Whatever you are looking for, there is a Type of Yoga to suit your needs.

Here’s a look into the most popular types of Yoga-

Classic Yoga’s

Hatha Yoga
The most popular form of yoga in the western world. Hatha yoga is often practiced solely for its physical benefit. It uses asanas, which are the physical postures or poses of yoga. This 15th century form of yoga is believed to purify the physical body and bring strength in order to lead to the purification of the mind.

Along with Asanas (poses), Hatha yoga includes breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation and purification procedures known as ‘Shatkriyas‘. Hatha yoga is not just about stretching as many people mistake it for, it develops both strength and flexibility and each pose has specific physical benefits. Hatha Yoga with its many modern variations is the style that many people associate with the word “Yoga” today.

Ashtanga Yoga
Also known as Patanjali’s Ashtanga Yoga or Raja Yoga, is one of the earliest types of yoga. Started around 5000 BC, Ashtanga yoga follows an eight fold path formulated by Patanjali also known as the eight limbs of yoga mainly- Yama (moral code towards others); Niyama (personal discipline);
Asana (ashtanga yoga postures); Pranayama (yoga breathing); Prayahara (withdrawal of senses); Dharana (concentration); Dhyan (meditation); Samadhi (salvation).

As you see out of the the 8 limbs, only one involves the physical performance of yoga postures. Each of the limbs builds off each other in order, with an aim of achieving a healthy and fulfilling life. The benefits of this yoga practice is more than just the physicality found in Hatha yoga, it applies to everyday aspects of life and is more of a complete way of living rather than a short practice.

Karma Yoga
Many people are familiar with the term Karma, but how many know that it’s a type of yoga. Karma or ‘discipline of action’ is the conscious practice of those actions that bring the most amounts of good and the least amount of evil as it is believed the result of that action will reciprocate yours. This discipline of yoga dates back to before 800 BC and is a spiritual path that dedicates actions to God.

Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on knowledge. Jnana Yoga includes knowing oneself that leads to self-realization, control of the senses, developing an indifference or detachment from objects, concentration, attainment of tranquility and ultimately bliss.

Pranayama Yoga
The literal meaning of the Sanskrit word Pranayama is ‘restraint (ayama) of breath (prana)’. It is the practice of breath control and breathing techniques. Since air is considered the breath of life or vital force responsible for life, it’s control into the various parts of the body especially the mind is said to help attain higher states of awareness. On a scientific level pranayama techniques are believed to be beneficial in treating a range of stress related disorders, asthma and oxidative stress.

Swara Yoga
Swara yoga focuses on controlling and manipulating the flow of breath in the nostrils. The word swara means “the sound of one’s own breath” and this form of yoga involves studying the nostril’s breath flow at all times of the day and seasons. It uses Pranayama or ‘breath control’ exercises as a part of a more precise and extensive focus on nose breathing.

Modern Yoga’s

Iyengar Yoga
Developed by the living yoga master B.K.S. Iyengar (now age 91), this modern adaptation of Patanjali’s Ashtanga yoga and Hatha yoga, uses props such as belts, cushions, blankets and blocks as aids in performing asanas (postures). This style of Yoga is said to promote strength, icrease flexibility, endurance, balance and stamina through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. Iyengar Yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga taught today.The poses are performed at a slow pace and are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga making it especially good if you’re recovering from an injury.

Power Yoga
The American interpretation of ashtanga yoga aimed at a physical workout is what has come to be known as Power Yoga. This fitness approach to yoga is a sweat-producing, muscle-building series of yoga asanas (poses) that flow into each other without the usual pauses between the poses practiced in traditional yoga. Power yoga is also breath-synchronized and the fluent movements from one pose to another create an almost aerobic workout feel. Power yoga’s popularity as a way to workout has made is a common option in the gyms of America.

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* Photo Credits: photos by lululemon athletica, myyogaonline, milopeng, apolaine on flickr

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