The yoga community continues to grow throughout the U.S., with approximately one in three Americans trying out yoga at least once. But whether you’ve taken a few yoga classes or have merely considered trying out instructional videos at home, you might not realize that there are many variations of practice within the discipline of yoga.
There are several different techniques and methods to choose from, which can make it a bit confusing for those who are less experienced in this area to find the right yoga studio nearby. In today’s post, we’ll be discussing one particular type of yoga: vinyasa yoga. Let’s find out more about vinyasa and why you might want to consider incorporating it into your routines for fitness and stress relief.
Defining Vinyasa Yoga
The word “vinyasa” pertains to mindfulness. It’s a Sanskrit word that means “to place in a special way.” It can actually be used outside of yoga applications, as you can use “vinyasa” principles for just about any physical task. In the yoga context, it may also be used to describe moving through breath – but what it really refers to is the conscious way in which yoga practitioners move through a sequence. Vinyasa is characterized by the way one posture connects to the next through breath. The “vinyasa flow” may be used by studio instructors to describe a specific set of movements.
The History of Vinyasa
Vinyasa yoga evolved out of ashtanga yoga, which was created in the early 20th century. Unlike the type of yoga from which it stems, vinyasa is much freer; poses and sequences can be changed. Vinyasa yoga may not always be categorized as such, though there are other popular types of yoga (like power yoga, for example) that’s technically a type of vinyasa.
How Vinyasa Differs From Other Types of Yoga
Vinyasa is unique in that it’s not merely about individual poses; this practice focuses more on the transitions between those postures. In this way, it’s more movement-based than other kinds of yoga. It also tends to provide a more intense workout, since participants are constantly moving in class. That said, class intensity levels can vary widely, which means that this type of yoga may also be accessible for many ability levels. The same cannot always be said for other kinds of yoga.
Vinyasa For Beginners
One reason this type of yoga has become so popular is that it’s relatively easy to teach and to learn; it can also be modified to fit participants’ needs. As a result, there will probably be many levels of vinyasa classes available to you, especially here in Northern Virginia. Some classes will focus on the cardio elements, while others will center more around strength-building. Typically, a class will either be geared towards more advanced participants or will stick to the basics. It’s really up to the individual participant to choose the class that appeals to their needs and abilities. Fortunately, this type of yoga is already able to be modified if necessary – so beginners can feel free to listen to their bodies and adjust as needed.
Although starting a new practice like yoga can feel a bit intimidating at first, it usually helps to learn about it before you ever step foot in a studio. That way, you can feel confident you’ve chosen the right class and will be able to reap all of the benefits this discipline can offer. For more information, please contact us at SyteraYoga today.