Vinyasa yoga — a moving meditation that helps unlock the natural flow of energy and trapped tension in the body. In order to maintain our equilibrium with the rhythm of life, Vinyasa yoga is a tool that enables us to apply the practice of yoga to our jobs, relationships, and personal development.
So what are the Vinyasa yoga poses and how can you try them out at home?
Let’s unwind with some Vinyasa yoga poses for beginners as well as experts. But before that, we’ll also talk about the this yoga benefits.
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Vinyasa Yoga Meaning
This Yoga, also known as flow yoga, power yoga, and Ashtanga yoga, is mostly related to the connection between movements and breathing. This type of yoga weaves poses in order to make a sequence and is thus a steady flow of postures that are performed with rhythmic inhaling and exhaling. The result is a fluid and steady flow of poses. Additionally, breathing also helps one calm their mind and enhance their focus.
Components of Vinyasa Yoga Poses
Vinyasa yoga is much more than measuring calories burned, and building core strength. Breath, movement, mantra, and other vinyasa methods all work to encourage the growth of consciousness and connection. And because all kinds of yoga foster presence, attention, and purpose, all of them have a vinyasa quality.
Simply put, it involves coordinating your thoughts and movements. Every vinyasa class will likely begin with a phase of setting intentions and conclude with a final relaxation. The structure, tempo, and other elements, however, will vary from class to class in between.
One Vinyasa yoga cycle is essentially a variation of Sun Salutation or Surya Namaskar. The two main changes are the beginning and ending positions. You start this yoga cycle with Plank Pose and end it with the Downward-Facing Dog (Sun Salutation begins and ends with the Mountain Pose).
Vinyasa Yoga Benefits
This yoga is very beneficial to your health. In addition to keeping you active, it also lowers stress, is suitable for people of all fitness levels, and enhances heart health.
Physical Well-Being
It helps to improve heart health and lower the risk of high blood pressure by lowering the cardiovascular risk that develops with aging. Vinyasa yoga also enhances mood and lowers cholesterol and levels of blood sugar.
Mental Well-Being
Additionally, it has been demonstrated that Vinyasa yoga enhances good emotional evaluations over negative ones. This test reveals Vinyasa yoga’s capacity to lower anxiety and depressive risk.
According to other studies, Vinyasa yoga improves people’s capacity to manage stress while also promoting relaxation.
Vinyasa Yoga Poses You Can Practice at Home
Considering the wide range of people who practice this yoga for its many benefits, it is divided into two types:
- Vinyasa Yoga for Beginners
- Vinyasa Yoga for Experts
Let’s discuss each of the Vinyasa yoga poses step-by-step.
Vinyasa Yoga for Beginners
Plank Pose (Kumbhakasana)
- The first pose in this yoga for beginners is the plank pose or the Kumbhakasana. This position helps to build strength in your abs, core, back as well as legs.
- Breathe in as you raise your arms over your shoulders and place your feet at a distance same as your hips in a high push-up position.
- Stretch out from your heels and forward towards the top of your head.
- You may indeed lower your knees to the floor if the plank position is too difficult for you.
Knees-Chest-Chin Pose (Ashtanga Namaskara)
- Second, in the sequence of this yoga poses for beginners is the Knees-Chest-Chin Pose. This pose is excellent for warming you up and helps gain arm strength.
- While maintaining your elbows folded into your sides, breathe out as you bring your knees to the floor.
- Move your chin and chest to the floor while keeping your hips raised off the floor.
- Position your chest in such a way that it falls midway through your hands.
Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana)
- If your body feels stiff, this Vinyasa yoga pose is just for you. The Cobra pose not only stretches your chest, abs, and shoulders but also gives you a burst of energy and brightens up your mood.
- Take a deep breath in and advance to the Cobra position.
- Your chest will go forward and rise off the floor as you bring your hips to the floor. Instead of pressing down into your hands, try to let the power of this lift come from your back.
- While you secure your pelvis and the tops of your feet to the mat, place little to no weight on your hands.
Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- The Vinyasa yoga sequence for beginners ends with the downward-facing dog pose.
- After rolling your toes over and putting your soles on the ground, exhale while lifting your hips.
- As you stretch your spine, press down with your hands and the heels.
- Sit up straight and raise your belly high above.
Vinyasa Yoga for Experts
Moving on to the more advanced Vinyasa yoga poses.
Plank Pose (Kumbhakasana)
- Similar to Vinyasa yoga for beginners, the first pose in this yoga for experts is also the plank pose.
- Breathe in as you raise your arms over your shoulders and place your feet at a distance same as your hips in a high push-up pose.
- Stretch out from your heels and forward towards the top of your head.
- You may indeed lower your knees to the floor if the plank position is too difficult for you.
Four-Limbed Staff Pose (Chaturanga Dandasana)
- This yoga pose is mostly full-body yoga. But most importantly it focuses on strengthening your back and core.
- While remaining approximately four inches over your mat, breathe out as you drop your body to the ground.
- Maintain a sideways tuck with your elbows. Reach your heels as you straighten your legs.
Upward-Facing Dog Pose (Urdhva Mukha Svanasana)
- The Upward-Facing Dog Pose helps open up your chest cavity and collarbones and stimulate your abdominal as well as back muscles.
- Upward Facing Dog is achieved by inhaling, straightening your arms, lowering your hips, and rolling over your toes to the tips of your feet.
- If doing it one at a time works better for you, flip the feet individually.
- To keep your thighs up off the ground, squeeze your hands and feet together.
- Continue to move your shoulders away from your ears.
Downward-Facing Dog Pose (Adho Mukha Svanasana)
- You can end the sequence of this yoga with the Downward-Facing Dog Pose.
- Exhale, move your pelvis up, and return to the downward-facing dog position by rolling over your toes.
- Take a few deep breaths, then continue.
Conclusion
All of the movements in Vinyasa yoga are rhythmic and matched to the breath. Vinyasa classes are excellent for active students since they can be more intensive than other types of yoga, depending on the tempo. Probably give vinyasa a try if you’re searching for a sweaty flow. For those interested in deepening their practice, consider enrolling in Rishikul Yogshala’s 100 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, 200 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, 300 Hour Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh, or 500 Hour Yoga Teacher Training Rishikesh.