Vinyasa Yoga: All about the powerful yoga style

Carried by the natural breathing rhythm, the asanas are harmoniously connected with each other in Vinyasa Flow. Hatha yoga is the heart of body-based yoga and thus forms the basis for all yoga styles that developed from it, including Vinyasa yoga. In contrast to hatha yoga, the flowing sequences in vinyasa yoga are very dynamic and are not practiced individually, but lined up in flowing movements.

As in hatha yoga , these flow sequences are performed in sync with breathing, which makes the yoga style a lot more challenging. In Vinyasa Yoga there are no fixed rules or series of exercises like in Ashtanga Yoga, so there are no limits to the creative flow and the desire for variety. As in Ashtanga yoga, the chakras are activated from "bottom up", ie inverted postures such as plow and headstand only come at the end of a sequence. The class often concludes with inversions such as a headstand and a relaxation sequence.

The term "Vinyasa" comes from the ancient Indian Sanskrit and is made up of "Vi" (in a certain way) and "nyasa" (to put, place, lay). Accordingly, the sequences are put together and exercised in a certain way. Vinyasa yoga is often referred to as a moving meditation, because the freedom and creativity allows the practitioner to completely surrender to their body awareness and move the body consciously and playfully. In order to be able to better control the flow of breath during the powerful flows, Ujjayi-Pranayama is recommended. You breathe through your nose and let the breath flow through your slightly compressed throat, creating a sound similar to the sound of the sea.

What Are the Effects of Vinyasa Yoga?

As in all yoga styles, Vinyasa Yoga is also about uniting body, mind and soul, only in this case in a very moving form. This is achieved by changing from asana to asana in sync with the breath, bringing you into a kind of flow state. Body and mind are allowed to move freely and any tension is sweated out with the help of the demanding practice - allowed to flow away and create new space for new energy and inspiration.

• Dynamic movements stimulate the heart and circulatory system
• strength building
• Strengthening and better blood circulation in the muscles
• improved mobility and flexibility
• increased breath awareness
• Relief of stress and mental tension
• body feeling
• mobilize the joints, tendons and ligaments, especially around the spine

Who is Vinyasa Yoga suitable for?

Vinyasa yoga can be attended by both beginners and advanced yogis and yoginis. However, if you have no yoga experience, the powerful sequences could overwhelm you. For this reason, a beginner's course would make sense for you at this point. Ideally, you've already mastered the sun salutation and know some basic asanas before you embark on a flow sequence.

A so-called vinyasa sequence could look like this: downward facing dog - plank with push-ups - upward facing dog - downward facing dog. This sequence is often built in between the sequences. A vinyasa yoga class can be very demanding, so if you feel the need to push yourself, this style is for you. In addition, Vinyasa Yoga is suitable for anyone who finds meditation and static sitting difficult or even deterrent. In the flow you can calm your thought waves and consciously breathe deeply. Especially after a powerful sequence, when the body and mind have had some leeway, you can try meditating and going into stillness.

A few tips for beginners:

• If you are interested in Vinyasa Yoga, first of all attend a classic Hatha Yoga class to become familiar with the topic and to prepare your body
• book a trial lesson and find out whether the yoga style is really something for you or whether it still challenges you too much and you can't keep up
• be patient with yourself if you are not yet able to practice the flows so fluently or if you are out of breath. Yoga means practicing serenity.
• Practice at your own pace and take breaks when it gets too much
• Listen to your body what feels good or not - don't force yourself into asanas or flow sequences that aren't good for you out of ambition.

Alternatives to Vinyasa Yoga:

• Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga Yoga is similar to the Vinyasa Flows, but has fixed rules. There are a total of 6 series of exercises, which are always repeated in the lessons. This yoga style is very demanding and therefore more suitable for advanced yogis.
• Power Yoga: is a variant of Ashtanga Yoga with the difference that the yoga practice is adapted to the level of the practitioner. Would you like to work out with yoga and test your limits? Do you enjoy creative and dynamic flows and do you enjoy dance elements? You feel that you should work on your breath and endurance? Then on to Vinyasa Yoga! Let the flowing sequences put you in a flow state and experience the feeling of strength, dynamism and relaxation.