What is Vinyasa?
Vinyasa is derived from the Sanskirt term nyasa, which means “to place,” and the prefix vi, “in a special way”. Sri Krishnamacharya, the father of modern day yoga, defined vinyasa as any cycle with a beginning, middle or end. It is also described as progressive sequences that unfold with an inherent harmony and intelligence. Vinyasa is about consciously linking one action to the next. In Krishnamacharya’s teachings, the vinyasa method included assessing the needs of the individual student or group and then building a complementary, step-by-step practice to meet those needs. In the yoga room, the teacher will assess the needs of the students and then build a class with intelligence towards a specific peak pose offering variations for different levels. The peak pose is followed by countering, neutralizing and restorative postures. The breath initiates the movement into the postures. This conscious movement with breath teaches the student to stay present and move in a mindful way avoiding injury. The sequences offer bio-mechanic safety, logic and rationale not just for the physical body but also for the mental, energetic and intuitive bodies.