Vinyasa, broken down in Sanskrit, means to place in a special way.

Vinyasa yoga allows for variety, but will almost always include Surya Namaskars, or sun salutations. Expect movement in your class, not just stretching. A vinyasa class could be fast or slow, include chanting, or be very alignment-oriented and will depend on the individual teacher. Also, how long the specific asanas are held in the flow will depend on the style of the teacher.

When Vinyasa or Flow is used as a noun, such as “Move through a vinyasa”, or “Go through a flow”, it can describe a series of asanas that are done as part of a Sun Salutation sequence. These asanas most often include: plank, chaturanga, cobra/upward dog, and downward dog. I always offer my students the opportunity to rest in childs/wisdom pose, or to come to downward dog as an alternative to moving through the full Vinyasa if they are feeling fatigued.

Vinyasa’s strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence that teachers must follow, so there is a lot of room for individual personalities and inspiration to come through. If you enjoy having things a little loose and unpredictable and like to move, Vinyasa is probably right for you.

I was moved to practice Vinyasa yoga by the pure freedom that I felt in following my breath, knowing that I can lay out my mat, rest in Balasana, or wisdom pose, and watch my breath guide me. Allowing your breath and your body to create your practice doesn't have to be intimidating. It may seem so at first but eventually it all comes out organically. If you have trouble finding inspiration on your mat, I recommend attending classes that teach you basic sequence structure, or taking a private one on one session to help you develop your inner body wisdom. Once you understand the simple techniques of flow, you'll be able to tap into those creative juices that are innately within you. You'll discover the greatest teacher is you.

Vinyasa flow is a beautiful way to experience yoga. Every teacher is different, however, so I recommend sampling if it's a new technique for you. Also, there are several different styles that can fall under the heading of Vinyasa. Names that you may become familliar with are Jivamukti, Dharma Mittra, Baptiste, and many more.

The possibilities are endless. Have fun and be inspired to grow.

Namaste'