Vinyasa Flow Yoga: how to tell your asana from your elbow
There can be a lot of confusing terms surrounding yoga – you may have heard names like ‘Ashtanga’ ‘Bikram’ and ‘Vinyasa’ and not be completely sure what they all mean and what’s different about each practice.
Flow Yoga, also called Vinyasa yoga, means ‘breath-synchronized movement’ – which is what makes this style of yoga so wonderful.
Whether you are just starting out – or whether you are looking to explore a new sort of practice, there are so many great reasons to try Vinyasa Flow yoga, one of the most popular styles of yoga for all levels of experience. So let’s break down some of the reasons you should go with the Flow…
It holds your focus – the reason that Vinyasa is often referred to as Flow Yoga, is because the style keeps you moving from posture to posture – each posture is linked to either an inhale or an exhale of breath, which keeps the movement smooth and continuous. Not only is this a great workout – but it also keeps your mind focussed completely in the present – if you often find your mind wandering during yoga, Vinyasa yoga is for you.
Variety – In terms of the breathing sequence, Vinyasa Yoga has a lot in common with Ashtanga – but one of the main differences between these two styles, is that Ashtanga is a set sequence of movement, which is the same in every class, whereas Vinyasa is more flexible. Teachers can mix up the order of the poses, or throw in a new fun posture to play around with from class to class. It’s impossible to be bored in a Vinyasa class!
You can find your perfect class – Because there are no set rules about what a Vinyasa class needs to be – you can shop around until you find your favourite class style. Anything goes – from different music, postures incorporated from other workout styles – not to mention that different teachers all have a different approach. You can play around until you really click with someone!
It’s a great workout – Vinyasa Yoga isn’t just great for the mind and soul – it’s a fantastic cardio workout. The continuous flow means that your heart rate really gets going, and it’s fantastic to work up a sweat.
It’s great for beginners – Because Vinyasa is so diverse, it’s really easy to find a class that suits you. It’s also a good chance to learn the basics of yogic breathing, as the teacher will be guiding you through inhaling and exhaling along with the movement. Building up your cardio as well as your balance and strength in this way also means you progress quickly and can start playing with some really fun and more advanced postures!
Curious? Drop me a message to find out how yoga could benefit you, andwhich classes might suit your ability and schedule!