
Yoga
Characteristics of Vinyasa Flow Yoga
​
​
-
Vinyasa Yoga connects one posture to the next using the breath. This can be thought of as linking or flowing into postures which is sometimes why it’s called “Flow Yoga”.
​
-
“Transitions” are what connect one posture to another in Vinyasa. What is not always appreciated is that transitions are considered postures themselves. To move in a more graceful, connected way, allot just as much time developing skill in the transitions as you do in the asana.
​
-
Vinyasa is synonymous with movement. Moving in and out of postures is the obvious movement but even in stillness Vinyasa is represented by the beat of your heart and inhale/exhale of your breath.
​
-
Move with breath. Breath initiates the movement of Vinyasa which is why you’ll hear it referred to as a “breath-synchronized” practice.
​
-
Ujjayi Breath is the breathing technique used. It is done by inhaling and exhaling in a rhythmic manner through the nose. The overall sensation is one of relaxation.
​
-
Vinyasa practice generates heat and can add a cardiovascular component not always present in other forms of postural practice.
​
-
Often equated with high-energy, there are many ways to approach Vinyasa from rapid to slow. Build strength, coupled with flexibility, by emphasizing and exploring slower options. Doing so will help you create a sustainable, life-long practice.
​
-
Vinyasa Yoga is a more complete type of class as it typically moves through all of the various asana families in a single session. The families, also called categories or classes, are the groupings the postures belong to such as standing postures, backbends, forward bends, etc.
​
-
Contrast this to alignment based classes that cycle through the asana categories over a series of weeks, instead of every class. The benefit is a greater depth of postural understanding, in a particular class, at the expense of single session balance.
Example Flow from Lululemon