Vinyasa Yoga
What is Vinyasa yoga?
The word vinyasa means breath and movement. Asanas which are performed in synchronization with breathing are part of the vinyasa yoga. This yoga is a combination of pranayama and ashtanga yoga. It falls under a very broad category as the asanas can be customized as per the practitioners needs.
Vinyasa Yoga
Breathing is the most important element of this yoga. The breathing and the flow or transition of asanas from one to another, causes the increase of internal body temperature resulting in the purification of the system. This is a yoga style preferred mostly by the westerners and by athletes.
Benefits of Vinyasa yoga
Due to the way the Vinyasa yoga style is performed it has many benefits associated to it.
- The practice of vinyasa yoga, leaves the person with a feeling of extreme workout due to the synchronized breath and body movements.
- It is a faster form of yoga which causes the body to generate internal heat. This inturn helps the practitioner to sweat. The sweating causes the expulsion of toxins and cleansing of the body.
- It also enhances body metabolism and thus aids in weight loss.
- The extensive movements of the body stimulate the heart rate, blood flow and enhance the metabolic activity of various organs within the body.
- The extensive breathing style used in this form of yoga develops the immune system.
- The body becomes more flexible and the individual develops lean and toned muscles.
- The calm breathing effect reduces stress, anxiety and helps attain concentration.
- It cleanses the physical and the spiritual body.
- It is known as the best cross training system with low impact and aerobic movements.
- It makes the individual mindful of the surroundings as well as their body.
- Targets weight loss
- Improves strength and flexibility.
- It helps maintain a good nervous system and rids the body of any disorders due to irregular lifestyles.
- Finally like other yoga styles, the vinyasa yoga detoxifies the mind through calm breathing and the body through sweating.
Poses and positions of vinyasa yoga.
This yoga does not have a particular pattern or style to it. It is known to be a combination of ashtanga and hatha yoga styles. This is the only form of yoga, where a practitioner can choose between the asanas that can be performed on a regular basis.
This yoga can be performed as two different flows- the fast flow and the slow flow. The fast flow involves an extreme workout session and is mainly targeted toward athletes and people aiming for weight loss. The slow flow is mainly for healing and restoration. Even though this is a customized form of yoga there are certain asanas which are common. They are the sun salutation, moon salutations and standing poses. It is most effective when each pose is held for atleat and minute and has a set of atleast 2 repetitions the maximum being 3. The sessions can be very exciting as they may be unpredictable if performed in a class.
Due to its extreme workout and therapeutic activity, the vinyasa yoga style is best suited to two different types of people. Those who want to be left with a feeling of extreme workout without having to lift any weights or walk on a treadmill and the ones who are more aiming towards detoxification and proper functionality of the physical body. So, decide which category you fall into or what interests you the most.
