What is Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is all about freedom.

Freedom of the mind, body and spirit.

To just let go and flow, can be a liberating experience, but like a dance, it must be learnt.

Vinyasa Yoga is essentially a breathing practice. Conscious breathing brings our attention and awareness back to the breath and connects us to where we are in both mind and body. The breath is the connection or bridge between them; continually developing this bridge builds a strong foundation for the body and has a calming effect on the mind that allows for concentration to improve.

In Vinyasa Yoga, postures flow smoothly in and out of each other and are joined together like pearls on the thread of the breath. A sequence of Yoga Postures or Asana are learnt with modifications to suit our individual level and joined together in a continual flow.

Each movement is done with either an inhalation or exhalation. The breath is long and complete, in order to enable the movement to become much more effortless. Vinyasa is the ability to flow effortlessly on the wave of the breath.

This gives rise to a unique and effective physical fitness program. Strength, stamina, balance, lightness of body, flexibility and a focused calm mind results. The satisfaction of doing something positive and progressive is also very rewarding and satisfying.

Once learnt, we can practice anywhere, anytime, and begin to establish your own self-practice. This is another aspect of the freedom of this type of yoga.

Flexibility or strength is not important, and the perfection of postures or how long we can hold them is not the main issue – it is how our breath is affected. The harmonization of Movement, Breath and Focus, the Tristhana, is the main aim of this practice.

The continual improvement and harmonization of Tristhana leads to a meditation in motion, effortless and free.

The first vinyasa learnt is the Sun Salutation, Surya Namaskara in Sanskrit. This exercise dates back over 2500 years, originally a devotion to the sun Surya. This is the dawn of the practice and develops the foundation for the entire Vinyasa Yoga style.

At first, the movements may feel difficult and unsteady, and just one Sun Salutation may be a challenge. However, over time as we adapt, our goals begin to open up. With the correct approach, perseverance and regularity, we begin to break down barriers that once held us back – continually opening up new frontiers to explore.

Concentration or focus is lost when the body is restricted by alignment or weakness, but over time, these limitations dissolve away – leaving an effortless, light and flowing, enjoyable and rewarding experience. What initially may seem impossible and unobtainable, becomes probable and eventually a reality.

The practice of Vinyasa Yoga helps us to uncover our limitations and restrictions and turn them into strengths.

Vinyasa Yoga is the vehicle that has the capacity to take us to new heights, on a continually evolving journey – all that is needed is the driver.

Oh Yogi, Do Not Practice Yoga Without Vinyasa.
— Vamana Rishi

As the future unfolds
And the past dissolves
The Present rides on the wave of the Breath
— Anthony