“Yoga is a light, which once lit will never dim. The better your practice, the brighter the flame.” — B.K.S. Iyengar
Do you want to understand the reflection of your inner state? Yoga is an excellent journey to understand yourself. The journey of yoga is made up of discipline, patience, practice and countless postures. The Various Types of Vinyasa Yoga, Power Yoga, Prana and Ashtanga is an important part of this process.
In the major style of Vinyasa Yoga, there are eight limbs in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. These are Yama, Akiyama, Asana, Pranayama, Dharana, Pratyahara, Dhyana, and Samadhi. These eight styles of Yoga practice make Yoga more effective.
Table of Contents
1. ASTHANGA VINYASA FLOW
Amongst different kinds of Vinyasa Yoga, the Ashtanga style of yoga is more energetic. It connects breath with movements. The individual poses (asanas) are related to flowing movements (Vinyasas). Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga has given birth to several styles of Yoga.
Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a style of yoga practised by K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century. It is often seen as a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. He has learnt this form of yoga from his teacher, Tirumalai Krishnamacharya.
What is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga?
Among the eight limbs of Ashtanga Yoga, Asana is the third limb. Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is a subset in the asana yoga section. All asana practice procedures, be it Iyengar’s Yoga Traditional, Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga poses, have several health benefits.
All these different Vinyasa flow yoga sequence procedures have grown themselves over time and become famous. Every asana practice procedure has its own benefits.
Is There Any Sequence That Is Practised In Ashtanga Yoga?
There are six series sequences of asanas in Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. The Vinyasa Yoga sequence is positioned systematically. The learners are asked to practise the asanas in the same cycle.
The primary series of Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga is called “Yoga Chikitsa“. The intermediate series or the second is called “Nadi Shodhana”. The next four series are collectively called “Sthira Bhaga”.
This series Vinyasa Asanas Ashtanga becomes intensive as you move from one series to the next. The learners are constantly tutored by the teacher and only after the instructor’s suggestion. The learner is permitted to take the next asana as well as the next series.
The advanced series of asanas is so tough that even Yoga instructors for decades often cannot manage to practice them.
2.PRANA
Yoga is an old tradition of decades with its roots in India. Various yoga paths have grown over time. Several modern yoga styles stress body-related practice (asanas) supported by meditation (dhyana) and breathing exercises (Pranayama).
Prana Flow Yoga is very liberating. It is an evolutionary and rhythmic flow class that comprises breathing control and chanting. This kind of yoga is set to music, calming the mind and body.
Who developed Prana Yoga?
Prana Flow Yoga is an energetic flowing yoga developed by Shiva Rea. The aim is an immediate experience of prana or life-energy. Prana permeates reality on all levels including inanimate objects.
Prana Vinyasa, developed by Shiva Rea is based on the instructions of Krishnamacharya and other traditions such as Bhakti Yoga (decision), Ayurveda, and Tantra, and Bhakti Yoga (devotion). The significance of this energetic yoga path is to be related to Prana – the most vital existing source of energy.
In Prana Vinyasa style yoga, the emphasis is on the process of “alignment through movement”. The unique 3-Part-Vinyasa-Method; the “Pulsations”, “Body Vinyasas” and “Rhythmic Vinyasas” maintains the flow of breath alive. It lets the practitioner understand the relation to the Prana Vayus, the directions of movement of Prana, which form every single movement and asana.
What is the Focus of Prana Yoga?
In Prana poses of Vinyasa yoga, the focus is on the “perfect” external form of the posture. It also focuses on the inner improvement of the practitioner in the various asanas. The goal is to sense the moment and experience the relationship with yourself.
3. POWER YOGA
Power yoga in Vinyasa Yoga is a fast-paced technique of yoga that is concentrated on building endurance and strength. It is also an outstanding form of yoga for burning calories.
While practising Vinyasa Yoga, the body moves in sync with the breath. This creates fluid and smooth movements. Therefore, it is also called “flow” yoga.
Power yoga is established on these same principles but is generally way more physical and athletic. This is why it is evolving in popularity not just in yoga studios but also in gyms.
Why is Power Yoga Equivalent to Exercise?
It is a stronger form of exercise that facilitates students to immerse more fully in the body as a tool to get out of their heads. It has a bodily focus, specializing in stamina, flexibility, strength, and endurance. Like Vinyasa, there are no certain sequences of yoga. However, the sense of flow is present. A power yoga class is always fast-paced which is equivalent to a workout.
In power yoga, the emphasis is not to just become more flexible, and stronger, but to rewire how you interact with yourself by breaking the boundaries of strength and possibility.
Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga
As you begin practising Vinyasa yoga, you will be rehearsing the same asanas. This technique helps in many ways:
- The practice of the asana gives a sense of the alignment of the biological body appropriately.
- You can assess the progress in each asana.
- You can learn the subtle modifications in the physical body in that particular asana
- The real sense of deepening the practice exists
- The enticement to find new asanas without sufficient depth in the practice is prevented.
Final Words
Do you wish to find a still point in you? Yoga is a practice of body and mind in sync. Irrespective of which type of yoga you practice, it is beneficial to give your mind something to focus on as you move on your mat. All the above different styles of Vinyasa Yoga are perfect to cherish every cell in your body.
Also Read: All About Hatha Yoga:
