What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga? | Power Yoga

What is Vinyasa Flow Yoga?

What is vinyasa flow yoga?

Vinyasa is literally 3 movements: plank, cobra or up dog and down dog. These movements are used with breath to connect other poses to each other as you would connect a high-pitched sound to a low-pitched sound with something in the middle so the transition would be less abrasive.  Vinyasa connects different types of poses like a backbend with a standing pose, allowing them to seamlessly intertwine without disrupting the smooth flow. The objective is this “flow effect," which keeps this type of yoga flowing or moving, which in turn creates body heat. Also, vinyasa activates qualities of fitness such as CVR and stamina as the body is flowing or moving moderately or vigorously for an extended period of time. This effect is similar to many western fitness exercises like running or aerobics or circuit training, etc.…  therefore, very much appreciated by the fitness mentality as it is similar to what we are conditioned to appreciate.

What is hot vinyasa yoga?

My understanding is the body heat generated by the flow of movements was to soften the muscles to allow a deeper penetration or stretch in less time. For example, if the body were not warm, it would not allow the stretch to go as deeply as quickly. You would need to spend more time in the stretch or pose as in Yin yoga or restorative yoga.  Going deeper faster not only allows you to get more out of the pose more quickly but also allows you to go more deeply into more poses in a certain amount of time.  Whereas in yin yoga you may perform 8 to 10 poses in an hour, in vinyasa yoga you could easily perform 20 to 30 poses.  Allowing for a much more thorough bodily experience as you can move through more body parts and more ranges of motion.

What is vinyasa yoga good for?

There is also a more esoteric reason for Vinyasa yoga. This reason is that the heat generated by the flowing effect is supposed to be detoxifying. Maybe as in sitting in a sauna or steam room or whirlpool is also supposed to be detoxifying. Certainly, this style produces a good sweat, and there are some who believe sweating is detoxifying.  There may not be a greater toxin in our bodies generally speaking than the tension lodged in the body’s tissues and certainly, the heat especially when combined with the stretches can be releasing. This certainly has a huge effect on how you feel and adds greatly to people’s desire to practice this type of yoga. Although this feeling is certainly ephemeral as the reactive mind will certainly generate more tension at a later time. So vinyasa flowing yoga works best in conjunction with meditation so we can develop the skills and ability to be less reactive through mindfulness.

Come experience a Vinyasa yoga flow sequence for yourself to learn more by trying one of our many Vinyasa flow yoga videos!