What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?
Vinyasa yoga is a form of yoga which is based on ‘breath synchronized movements’. In a yoga session, when you seamlessly move from one pose to another while inhaling and exhaling, it is known as Vinyasa. The literal meaning of the word ‘vinyasa’ is the movement of breath and therefore this technique in yoga is known as vinyasa flow yoga.
There are several vinyasa yoga poses, but in reality, you may practice any pose in this form of yoga. The poses run into each other in a smooth manner in this type of yoga.
The term vinyasa is often used alone as a reference to various different poses. You may go through the technique as a part of a series. For instance, the entire series of poses performed during the Sun Salutation, can be referred to as Vinyasa. You may use the breathing techniques of inhaling and exhaling while performing the poses, to your advantage. You may maintain your own tempo, according to the rhythm of your breathing. Your breathing becomes the basis of your poses and the form and movement are integrated with it.
Poses like the Upward Facing Dog pose, Plank pose, and Four Limbed Staff pose are usually in the spectrum of vinyasa style yoga.
If you follow the poses that you practice carefully, you will find that there are many instances when you effortlessly practice vinyasa yoga, without being conscious of it. Upon practicing vinyasa yoga for some time, you will be able to proceed without any problems. You will also be able to free yourself from any structured sequencing, gaining the maximum vinyasa yoga benefits.
Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga
- When you begin with vinyasa yoga, you will begin to feel the build up of strength in your body. The technique of vinyasa yoga helps build strength and flexibility, especially in the legs and the hips.
- Vinyasa yoga helps to stretch the spine to its fullest extent, allowing the muscles around the spin to relax and strengthen.
- Vinyasa yoga can also help improve your flexibility especially in the areas surrounding the hips, joints, neck, and shoulders.
- The coordination that you have to practice between the breathing and the pose can help increase concentration and the ability to focus on a specific thing.
- In Vinyasa yoga, you do not have to worry about holding your poses. You can retain one posture for some time or you can explore more postures and can keep transiting from one posture to another.
