Vinyasa yoga

Origin

Vinyasa flow yoga is a modern style of yoga derived from Ashtanga vinyasa yoga, a yoga form that originated in India and can be traced back to one of the greatest founders of yoga Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888 - 1989). Vinyasa forms of yoga use this technique, called 'vinyasa' in their practices. Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) studied several traditional scriptures including the Sutras of Patanjali and the Yoga Korunta. One of his most famous students was Sri K. Pattahbi Jois (1915-2009) who further developed the yoga series of Sri T. Krishnamacharya into the style of yoga we know today as Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. Vinyasa yoga is a modern derived style of yoga with the essential difference that it is characterised by creativity and free variation while Ashtanga vinyasa yoga consists of a fixed series of asanas (body postures). Sri T. Krishnamacharya paid attention not only to the asanas but also to the transition between them. The transition from one asana to another is called 'vinyasa'. His idea behind this was to maintain and deepen concentration and body awareness throughout the practice by bringing breath and movement together.

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What is Vinyasa yoga and for whom?

Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic form of yoga in which breath and movement are synchronised. The asanas are linked in the rhythm of the breath.
The transition from one posture to another is as important as the posture itself. You can see it as a yoga mala chain. A chain in which and beads are separated by a piece of string that together make a chain. The beads are the asanas and the rope in between is the vinyasa and together they make a practice that is continuous and in motion. By paying full attention to both the asana and the transition, a deeper concentration and greater body awareness is created throughout the practice.
The breathing technique used in this style of yoga is derived from the pranayama 'ujjayi breath', a nasal breathing with a soft rustling sound at the back of the throat. Throughout the practice, attention is paid to controlling this breath, which flows in and out in a balanced and flowing way.
Vinyasa Yoga, because of its high intensity and variety, requires intense focus. Because of this, a meditative state can be experienced during the practice, meditation in movement.

The philosophy of Vinyasa yoga is to experience the temporary nature of things, the constant movement and mutability, as in nature. In the practice, this is experienced by entering a posture, staying for a moment, exiting and moving on to the next posture.

The variable and dynamic nature of this style of yoga suits people who want to get moving or who like to be in motion, people who need variety and variation. It is a style of yoga that can support people to break through fixed patterns, to develop a more balanced body and life.
The practice can be practised by both the novice and experienced yogi.

Vinyasa yoga

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Effects of Vinyasa Yoga