About Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa literally means "the intelligent putting together of things," or "uninterrupted flow" - the coordination of breath and movement.
Vinyasa Yoga is best described as yoga asanas linked together while synchronizing one's breath with movement. The transitions of the yoga poses are done at a steady, deliberate pace, and depending on the style of the teacher this pace can be slow or more vigorous.
In Vinyasa Yoga the poses are linked together with the breath. The teacher instructs you to move from pose to pose with an emphasis always on the breath. In this way the breath becomes the string that links together the poses like beads. The breath is central in Vinyasa Yoga, it is the constant - it keeps you centered. Constancy and focus and being present in the moment are key to yoga practice, and Vinyasa Yoga is one of the best ways to achieve these.
Vinyasa Yoga is most easily described as the western version of the traditional Astanga Yoga. It is derived from an ancient Sanskrit text called Yoga Korunta, written by Vamana Rishi. These teachings were widely disseminated in modern times by the teacher Sri T. Krishnamacharya, who received them from his own guru Rama Mohan Bramhachari. The founders of the well known styles of Viniyoga (T.K.V. Deslkachar, son of Krishnamacharya), Astanga Yoga (Sri K. Pattabhi Jois) and Iyengar Yoga (B.K.S. Iyengar) all studied with Krishnamacharya and developed their individual forms of from this system.
Unfortunately, many believe that Vinyasa Yoga is not "real" yoga and that it is only done as a form of physical exercise. This is a misunderstanding, because despite its vigorous approach, Vinyasa Yoga still focuses on the general aim of yoga, which is to unite the body, mind and spirit.
The Benefits
- Physical Power: Vinyasa bolsters strength, stamina, flexibility and tones the body - physical power.
- Mental Power: Vinyasa improves mental focus, mental power or willpower, which is honed during the course of the practice as it clears the mind of scattered and unorganized thoughts, allowing one to focus on the task at hand.
- Spiritual Power: The spiritual power, the source of the energy behind one's physical and mental power, is nurtured, giving way to a mastery of one's thoughts and actions. It releases anxiety and tension in the body.
