Vinyasa Yoga

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Vinyasa Yoga is a broad term which includes many types of dynamic classes. The root of the word Vinyasa indicates the synchronization of movement and breath. Therefore, in a Vinyasa class the teacher will instruct the student to move from posture to posture, while simultaneously directing the inhalation and exhalation of air.

Vinyasa Yoga does not adhere to a particular school of thought and convention, thus offering a variety of poses and sequences to open up your yoga practice. With breath and movement as the foundation, Vinyasa carries with it a sense of freedom and adventure. The fundamental building blocks of the yoga language – postures, flow, form, attention, quieting the mind, and continuity – creates interesting connections and new meaning for the practitioner.

In Studio Naim we have many types of Vinyasa Yoga including Ashtanga, Shadow Yoga, Power Yoga and Jivamukti.

The Vinyasa Sequence

The Vinyasa style varies, in which there are slow and deep exercises as well as quick and challenging ones. The poses range from short to long, simple to more complex, and the sequences can consist of standing exercises, floor exercises, or inversions. Usually, a class will begin with “Sun Salutations” to warm the body and will finish with rest and meditation.

What is the Difference between Vinyasa and Ashtanga Yoga?

Actually, Ashtanga’s full name is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Ashtanga is a comprehensive system outlined in an ancient book called, Patanjali Sutras, meaning “Eight Limbs”. Ashtanga Vinyasa refers to the physical practice.

As mentioned above, Vinyasa is a sequence of postures connected to breathing. In contrast, Ashtanga is a constant sequence of poses developed in the city of Mysore, India by the master Futabi Joyce. Most of the Vinyasa classes taught today developed from teachers who studied directly with Joyce. Vinyasa has thus come to be described as Ashtanga’s “freestyle” practice.

In contrast to Ashtanga Vinyasa, which is a series that repeats itself and is practiced systematically and religiously according to the same sequence of poses, Vinyasa is suitable for people who seek challenge and creativity in practice. Sometimes the teacher will focus on twists, sometimes on standing poses, and sometimes on a variety of other positions.

Vinyasa and Meditation

In traditional meditation, the meditator sits in a static position and concentrates his attention on some object or idea, such as breathing. It is commonly said that Vinyasa practice is “meditation in motion”. Focusing on the sequence of positions in relation to breathing helps to release the consciousness from all of the distractions that often consume our minds. At the end of the lesson, we will feel a difference not only physically, but also in the temporal release we have given our minds.