What is Vinyasa Yoga?
There are so many types of yoga classes out there these days – Hatha, Astanga, Kundalini, Yin, and some stranger variants like goat yoga and beer yoga (yes, it’s a thing!) Whilst this demonstrates really well that yoga can be incorporated into most aspects of our lives, it can leave the average yogi somewhat confused when deciding on what sort of yoga class will suit their needs best! Today I hope to shed a bit more light on what is vinyasa yoga, as it is a term we hear often to describe an average yoga class, but actually very few people could tell you what makes it different to a hatha yoga class, for example.
Vinyasa yoga is a flow-based style of yoga that links breath to movement. Now this sounds very similar to hatha yoga (and in a way, connecting with the breath is something that happens in most, if not all good yoga classes). However, vinyasa yoga tends to be a more vigorous style of yoga that can be challenging but also very rewarding.
Vinyasa practices link to the breath with every movement.
Each movement is synchronised with an inhalation or exhalation. For example, you would inhale to raise the hands above the head from Tadasana (mountain pose), and exhale to Uttansana (forward fold) during a sun salutation. Although this may happen in a Hatha Yoga class, it is anticipated that vinyasa students may not need to be reminded of their breathing as much throughout their vinyasa practice.
In a Vinyasa class, the postures are linked together in a flowing sequence, often based around the sun salutations, so it is good to understand this set of poses if you want to attend vinyasa classes on a regular basis. There is less ‘pausing’ between poses, and more transitional movement between poses – but of course, balasana (child’s pose) is always an option to be taken when you need it!
Learn more: Learn the Sun Salutations in just 15 minutes
Although the practice can be more vigorous in a vinyasa flow class, it is a good step towards learning more challenging poses, such as arm balances and inversions. However, as any good yoga teacher would tell you, these poses are always optional, not essential.
The Origins of Vinyasa Yoga
The modern form of Vinyasa Yoga is generally attributed to Sri Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), an Indian yoga teacher who founded an influential school in Mysore. Krishnamacharya taught that the movements between each asana (yoga pose) should be considered just as significant as the postures themselves. He believed that this would help to deepen concentration and body awareness throughout the entire practice.
Vinyasa means “to place in a special way”, meaning that every movement in a yoga practice is meaningful.
How intense is Vinyasa yoga compares to other styles?
Of course, the intensity of a yoga class can vary depending on the teacher, the style of yoga, and the individual’s fitness level. I’ve tried to create a yoga scale of intensity below to give a rough guide to the main types of yoga and how they compare with one another in terms of intensity. Please note that this is not an exact science, and individual classes will vary with intensity.
Vinyasa flow yoga is a more dynamic style of yoga that links breath to movement. It is a great way to build strength and endurance, and it can be very challenging. Vinyasa flow yoga classes typically follow a set sequence of poses, but there is some variation depending on the teacher.
Hatha yoga is a general term for any type of yoga that focuses on physical postures (asanas). It is a good starting point for beginners, as it can be adapted to all levels of experience. Hatha yoga can be gentle or vigorous, depending on the teacher and the class.
Ashtanga yoga is a rigorous style of yoga that follows a set sequence of poses. It is a great way to build strength, flexibility, and endurance. Ashtanga yoga can be challenging for beginners, but it is also very rewarding.
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga that focuses on holding poses for longer periods of time. It is a good way to improve flexibility and release deep-seated tension. Yin yoga can be challenging for people with injuries, but it is also a very relaxing and restorative practice.
Based on this scale, Vinyasa, falls somewhere in the large space between hatha and astanga styles, which means that there can be a lot of variation from class to class. There are many styles of Vinyasa Yoga, each with its own unique flavour. Some of the most popular include Power Yoga, Vinyasa Flow, and Astanga Vinyasa. All of these styles emphasize the connection between breath and movement, and they all offer a variety of benefits, including improved flexibility, strength, and balance.
Can I practise Vinyasa Yoga if I’ve never done yoga before?
Whether you are a beginner or an experienced practitioner, Vinyasa Yoga can be a great way to improve your physical and mental health. It is a dynamic and challenging practice that can help you to connect with your body, mind, and breath. If you have never practised yoga before, you may benefit from starting in a Hatha yoga class, to learn the foundation postures and build up the strentgth needed to flow in a more dynamic practice, such as Vinyasa Flow. However, an individual’s level of fitness will play a big factor here – an inexperienced yogi who does a lot of other vigorous activities, such as pilates, running, cycling and hiking might get along just fine in a vinyasa flow class, whereas an experienced yogi who does very little other exercises may find it challenging. The best thing to do is speak to your yoga teacher, or go and try a class and see if it’s for you! A good yoga class should have lots of options and modifications to support you.
What are the benefits of practising Vinyasa Yoga?
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic and challenging practice that can provide a number of benefits, including:
- Increased flexibility
- Improved strength
- Reduced stress
- Improved balance
- Increased energy
- Improved mental clarity
Vinyasa yoga can be a challenging practice, but it is also a very rewarding one.
Frananda Yoga is brining Vinyasa Flow classes to the schedule, starting in September 2023. View Class Timetable
