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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