Vinyasa or flow yoga is a style of yoga where a series of postures or asanas are synchronized with the breath; that is, breathing and movement come together. You flow and evolve throughout the practice. 

Vinyasa is a type of dynamic yoga that makes you move your body with conscious breathing. In fact, some say that it is a moving meditation.  VI: place yourself in a certain way (asana or posture). NYASA: meditate by focusing your attention on something specific (breathing). FLOW: to flow. So it could be translated as flow while you move and breathe.

The sun salutation, for example, is a type of vinyasa, where the asanas are matched with each inhalation and exhalation; that makes a series of consecutive postures linked by the breath create a fluid movement. Specifically, the sun salutation A has 9 vinyasas or movements). Unlike hatha yoga, in vinyasa or flow yoga the postures are held for less time.

Practice

It is  “a complete method for physical and spiritual development.”  This yoga system is mainly characterized by the synchronization of breathing with the movement of the body. Each of the important yoga asanas (postures) is practiced with different and elaborate movements to enter and exit the asanas. In addition, each posture is linked to the next through a dynamic transition harmonized by breathing.

All vinyasa yoga practices, both Ashtanga and Power, as well as Flow Yoga or Vinyasa Flow, involve movement from posture to posture, maintaining the continuity of the breath. In the words of Srivatsa Ramaswami: “The mind attentively follows the slow, smooth and controlled breath, and the union of the body and mind takes place with the act of breathing as a harness.”

Ultimately, what is vinyasa yoga? Well, a system of synchronized movements and breathing, a yoga method in which the postures are chained in an intelligent sequence that seeks to achieve benefits both physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually.

Origins

Legendary yogi T. Krishnamacharya (1988-1989) put the vinyasa method back into use and brought back its importance in the early 20th century. Often considered the father of modern Yoga, this great scholar spent the early part of his life studying Indian philosophy, Ayurveda, and Yoga. His thirst for knowledge led him to look for the teachers of the time, who could transmit the knowledge of the ancient sages to him.

Hearing of a great yoga teacher who lived in the Himalayas, Krishnamacharya went looking for him, walking to Mount Kailash and there he found the sage in his cave. There he remained in retirement in the mountains, studying with Sri Ramamohan Brahmachari for 7 years. Later T. Krishnamacharya wrote a little book called “Yoga Makaranda” (1930) in which he explains the characteristics of vinyasa and describes some series of postures, using about a hundred transition sequences.

What is a Vinyasa Yoga class like?

Vinyasa movements are best supported by ocean sound breathing or “Ujjayi Pranayama”. This breathing technique slows the rate of breathing, increases mental focus, and helps warm and energize the body. During a Vinyasa class, it is very important to pay close attention to your breath. When you feel your breathing becoming short, shallow, or gasping, it’s a cue to slow down and take a break. When this happens, it’s a good idea to move into Child’s Pose for a few breaths.

Vinyasa yoga encourages self-reflection and mindfulness. Our yoga classes  guide participants to be aware of every movement, breath and sensation, and every thought and feeling, to open a window to who we really are and what we want in life. This is how yoga becomes a practice of self-transformation and healing.

What is Vinyasa Yoga good for?

Vinyasa practice has different benefits:

Physically, it improves flexibility at the muscular level and favors its strengthening and toning. It also helps make bones stronger. Due to this fluidity of movement with breathing, it helps us to improve breathing, relieving respiratory problems such as asthma, allergies…
Mentally, it decreases stress levels, bad mood… promoting relaxation. It also helps to fall asleep.
Practicing vinyasa, and yoga in general, you will know what your limits are, you will give value to the things you have and you will be happier.