You’ve been thinking about starting yoga to calm your frantic mind, but you’ve no idea where to start.
You notice your local studio has a new vinyasa flow class and so you do a quick Google search to see what this ‘vinyasa’ is all about.
You’re met with a screen full of images of young and toned yogis in all kinds of strange poses and the thought of “I can’t do that!” jump to mind as you close your laptop and get back to your evening of Netflix.
But wait!
I felt the same way when I went to my first vinyasa flow class. I had no idea what to expect and was worried that everyone else would know what to do and that I’d stick out like a sore thumb!
It turned out that from that very first class I was hooked with the flowing and meditative ‘dance’ that I experienced.
After many years of practising and now as a qualified 200 hour vinyasa flow yoga teacher (and lover of vinyasa!), you’re in the right place if you’d like to find out exactly what to expect from a vinyasa flow class.
Grab your cuppa and have a read...
What does ‘vinyasa’ mean?
The word vinyasa comes from the Sanskrit words ‘vi’ (meaning ‘in a special way’) and ‘nyasa’ (meaning ‘to place’). This ‘placing in a special way’ refers to how you move from pose to pose in the class: Focus is placed on the transitions (how you move) from one pose to the next, so that your practice becomes a seamless flow from one pose to the next. A graceful ‘dance’ if you like.
What will I do in each class?
You can expect a mixture of:
· seated poses
· standing poses
· balances
· twists
· forward folds
· backbends
The poses will be linked by transitions, many of which are set sequences, allowing you to gradually ‘learn’ the flow between 2 poses, giving you more confidence on your yoga mat and allowing you to get lost in the ‘flow’.
Your inhale and exhale lead a vinyasa flow class, meaning that your body will be moving through postures in time with your breath. For example, you might be in warrior 2 on your inhale and a reverse warrior on your exhale. The continuous movement allows your practice to become a moving meditation.
Class will end with relaxation, or ‘savasana’, where you will be encouraged to find stillness for a few moments, allowing your yoga practice to settle before you leave the studio feeling energised and inspired.
Will I be able to keep up?
Although you can expect continuous movement in a vinyasa class, teachers will often allow time for extra breaths between poses. You could also start with a ‘slow flow’ class, where time will be given to slowing the practice down. Like all types of yoga, it’s your practice, meaning that you are welcome to rest at any point in the class. You can take a few breaths in child’s poses or mountain pose before continuing.
So, what are you waiting for?
If you’d like to join one of my weekly vinyasa flow classes or would like a 1:1 yoga class,
get in touch abi@thewell-beinggarden.co.uk I can’t wait to see you on the mat!