Benefits of Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Vinyasa flow yoga, originally called Viniyoga by T.K.V. Desikachar has its roots in Astanga yoga. It derives its name from the principle of vinyasa karma, which is a step by step approach to teaching asanas and focusing on the breath. It is meant to flow, hence the term flow yoga. Most yoga practices do appear to flow from one asana to the next, but this one is attentive on the breath during practice instead of form or perfect execution of the poses.

Flow yoga is about pace as well. Teachers do not want to rush through the asanas because this would inhibit the benefits of the breath. Most teachers even take a relaxed approach with this method.

Vinyasa is designed to be smooth and flow through the breath from one pose to another.

Vinyasa can be very diverse and often it's centered around the preferences a particular teacher likes. Some incorporate more power yoga movements, some like a gentle flow of asanas while some teachers involve chanting. The sequence of asanas are independent of the teacher or the poses that you decide to integrate into your personal practice. Unlike other yoga practices that have a stricter sequence, Bikram's for example, a vinyasa flow yoga practice can be almost anything you desire it to be. The key focuses are on flowing into the poses and the flow of the breath. It's very appealing to people for those reasons. However, Bikram's yoga is a style of vinyasa, but its practice is more strict.

Another reason for its appeal is the focus of meditation during the poses. Because you are using your breath as a focal point, this is also a great way to calm the mind and align it with the body. Meditation can be difficult to achieve, which is why many teachers suggest you begin your practice by focusing on the breath. Vinyasa brings together the fluid motions of yoga poses and the practice of meditation with the breath.

I personally enjoy branches of yoga that focus more on flow and breathing. There's nothing wrong with power yoga or some of the more "active" variations of yoga, but I like the calming effects of fluid transitions from one pose to another. I also enjoy coming back to center more often than some variations do. Some people refer to center as Tadasana, mountain pose or prayer pose. It's a basic stance and starting point for most yoga practices.

If you're looking for a yoga practice that is gentle and soothing but also gives you a physical workout while improving your lung capacity, give Vinyasa Flow Yoga a try.

Resource: Yoga Basics by Yoga Journal (Mara Carrico)