Vinyasa Flow Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic and flowing style of Hatha yoga which links breath and movement through a creative series of postures that balance strength and flexibility while cultivating mindfulness through a continuous flow.

Vinyasa is cleansing, heat building and more suitable for the physically active.

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What is VINYASA FLOW YOGA?

Vinyasa yoga, or yoga flow, is one of the most famous styles of yoga, along with Hatha yoga. Indeed, it is part of the great classics of yoga. It gathers a great number of practitioners throughout the world, from beginners to the most experienced yogis, all in search of well-being.

The origin of the term Vinyasa comes from Sanskrit and means the synchronization of movement with the breath. “Nyasa” means “to place”, “attention” and “Vi” means “in a certain way”.

The principle of this yoga is to synchronize the different postures with the breath in a harmonious and dynamic way.

The postures follow each other in a natural flow, combining balance, strengthening, breathing and letting go. We even speak of a “state of Flow” and of Flow yoga, in which movement takes precedence over thought, like a dance that would induce a mental appeasement and the awareness of the inseparable link between breath and movement.

Breathing is at the center of the practice. It is done through the nose, mouth closed, in a calm and deep way. This leads to the release of tensions, to general relaxation and favors the circulation of energy. It is called Ujjayi breathing or oceanic breathing.

Vinyasa versus Ashtanga Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is derived and inspired from traditional yoga.

The practice of Vinyasa is more “free” and creative than Ashtanga Yoga, which consists of repeating fixed series of precise postures. Vinyasa yoga is more western, less strict, more dynamic, fast and sportive.

The main nuance is the “Flow”, this fluidity of movement according to the breath and the speed of the postures. Thus, we let ourselves be guided, without thinking, just by concentrating on the movement, its execution and the breathing, which leads to a letting go, a disconnection.

The postures are not fixed, they follow one another without discontinuity like a choreography and the alignments are not necessarily always as precise as in other practices (like Iyengar yoga for example).

The interest is to let yourself be carried by the natural flow of the sequence, almost like a meditation.

The Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga

The practice of Vinyasa Yoga :

helps with muscle strengthening (including deep muscles), cardiovascular conditioning, gaining flexibility, balance and mobilizing joints ;
helps to tone and sculpt the entire body;
helps to improve the general posture of the body, especially the back;
helps to relax and soften the fascias and thus release the blockages that are there;
also helps to relieve certain tensions or muscular and articular pains, in particular at the level of the back;
boosts the metabolism and to gain in energy;

This yoga being more intense and dynamic than the others, it also helps to release, evacuate and find a lightness in the body and the spirit.