6 things you might not know about Vinyasa yoga
What you need to know about Vinyasa yoga
Vinyasa yoga is a very popular form of yoga and has become a very common practice among the yogi’s. Despite its popularity, it is a yoga form that is not always well understood. Vinyasa yoga is so much more than the movements and flowing motions. The more you practice it, the more you start to discover different aspects of Flow yoga. So, let’s dive deeper into it! Here are 6 yoga facts, you might not know about Vinyasa yoga.
1. What’s inside matters
As you might know, Vinyasa yoga consists of Vinyasas’. This is a sequence of dynamic postures that you practice in a particular order, while syncing your movement with your breath. You are moving a lot, which means you can be sweating a lot as well. That’s why this form of yoga is often seen as a work-out. Even though Vinyasa yoga is a great way to exercise and train many different muscles, a toned body is not all you should be longing for. The internal practice plays a big part, as breathing exercises and meditations are used often in Vinyasa classes. It’s all about getting to know yourself, your mind and your body better than ever before. This will bring you more peace and relaxation. Altogether, you will feel amazing after a Vinyasa yoga class!
Make sure to wear yoga clothes that don’t restrict your movements during your Vinyasa flow. For example, wear a stretchy yoga legging with breathable fabric. This way you won’t get too hot when you are moving a lot. Combine it with a cute yoga tank top, and you’re all set!
2. Your organs take profit as well
Yoga has a lot of different layers to it. When you start doing yoga, you begin with getting to know all the different postures and the alignment. All the stretching and moving will help you get more flexible and develop more muscle strength. These benefits are great, but even greater is what’s about to come next. After a while you can start to notice the impact of the Vinyasa flow going deeper than the surface of the body. Once your muscles are open, it goes a level deeper, into your joints. Once your joints have fully opened, it starts to effect your organs and glands. Your organs benefit from movement, as the blood supply to the muscles and organs increases. That’s why a dynamic exercise like Vinyasa can help with improving circulation and relieving congestion in the organs. If you want to learn more about the benefits of Vinyasa yoga, read this article of Yoga Basics!
3. Your Vinyasa practice slowly becomes a meditation
Because of the large amount of movement, a lot of people think that stillness is limited in the Vinyasa practice. Yes, Vinyasa yoga has a rapid flow, but it’s a practice filled with controlled breath and focus elements. ‘Vinyasa’ is a Sanskrit word that is often translated to ‘putting things in the right order.’ It also means ‘breath to movement’. As you move rhythmically, while practising breathing and mediation techniques, Vinyasa allows you to reach a state of consciousness, just like you would in a meditation. Meditation means you calm and focus the mind, which is exactly what you do in a more advanced practice of Vinyasa. Pairing the physical practice with a steady practice of pranayama, makes this a dynamic meditation. Be patient, because you’ll get there for sure.
4. Moving with care is better than with speed
We start practising yoga with many different goals in mind. Releasing stress, building muscles, improving flexibility, or simply relaxing. With Vinyasa yoga, you flow quickly through different postures, which is why you start to sweat and your body cleanses itself. We all love the sweat, but we can’t forget about the importance of alignment. When you are standing in a pose, or flowing to the next one, it’s essential to maintain a good form to prevent yourself from injury.
The physical practice of yoga has always been a way to prepare the body for a state of meditation. By moving, you will feel more calm and less distracted while you’re meditating. As Flow yoga is a moving meditation, it’s important to take your time and move mindfully. This way you get the chance to correct your alignment. So, if you feel like you’re moving too fast, slow down a bit. Move your body with care, and you will start to experience more benefits in your body and mind.
5. Vinyasa yoga improves your breathing, even off the mat
This one might not come as a surprise to you. The breathing techniques you practice during your Vinyasa yoga flow have major benefits on your way of breathing in general. In Vinyasa yoga, you breathe through your nose. Every movement has a breath, which can help you stay focused. This not only learns you to breathe deeper, it also filters and warms up the air. Studies have shown that when correct breathing technique is taught, their average respiratory rate decreased almost in half, and the oxygen levels in your blood improve big time. A nice added bonus, isn’t it?
6. (Vinyasa) yoga know 9 Drishti’s
‘Find your Drishti. Fix your gaze.’ In most yoga classes, especially ashtanga yoga, one of the first things you’ll learn is about the Drishti. This is the focus point you focus on while doing your practice, used to bring you closer to dharana (concentration) and pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses). It helps you to stay focused in difficult positions such as the tree pose. Most people know about three Drishti’s: the tip of your nose, between your eyebrows or your navel. There are actually nine gazing points, that can help you keep concentrated. Each pose has a very specific Drishti. Learn more about them here!