Let's talk about what it means to "take a flow" in a vinyasa class. Even after years of practicing ashtanga yoga (and there are dozens of vinyasas in the primary series!) I felt like I was out of the loop the first time a vinyasa teacher cued the class to 'take a flow'.
Given group classes are often only 60 minutes give or take, it's rare that the postures within a vinyasa are explained and taught in detail. This is a transition that involves strength, flexibility, body awareness and precious energy. Like all asanas, vinyasas are optional.
In Sanskrit, the word "vinyasa" can be broken down into two parts:
vi = in a special way nyasa = to place
vinyasa = to place in a special way
So, in short, a "flow" is a vinyasa - a sequence of the following movements:
High plank (phalakasana)
↓
Low plank (chaturanga dandasana)
↓
Upward Facing Dog (urdhva mukha svanasana)
↓
Downward Facing Dog (adho mukha svanasana)
In creative sequencing, a vinyasa can be used as a palette cleanser, or a moment of flow, between postures or between left and right sides.
You might choose to rest in stillness instead of taking a vinyasa. Or, you may choose to modify instead:
Plank on knees
↓
Lower to floor
↓
Baby Cobra (bhujangasana)
↓
Child's Pose (balasana)
Remember: there is no "better" or "worse" - how you choose to practice is up to you, and you only.
Emilie & Julie ♡
Comments