Yoga for Life: Vinyasa Flow

Life is a stretch, frequently presenting last-minute, \runexpected change. Through our yoga practice we gain experience at \rbending our bodies, our wills, and mind to any task with a certain \ramount of equanimity and ease. One of the gifts of yoga is that it teaches \rus that true flexibility means adapting to the change in every moment, \rwhile maintaining a spirit of calm, devotion and love. Given the time and \rattention we can create our own source of comfort. No matter what the \rcircumstances we can draw flexibility and strength from our practice \r(and our community). This resource allows us tap into a powerful source \rof personal energy composed of: physical resiliency, emotional \rmaturity, and spiritual optimism.

The great yoga master Krishnamacharya emphasized Vinyasa as an \rartful approach to living and central to the transformative process of \ryoga. Vinyasa literally means linking a movement to the breath, yet \ralso refers to progressive sequences that are led by the flow of the \rbreath pattern. These vinyasa sequences are considered the sacred \rdance of the yogis referring to the natural, deep rhythm of the breath \racting as the sacred beat. For Krishnamacharya, and his famous \rstudents B.K.S. Iyengar, Bikram Choudry, and P. Jois, Vinyasa yoga is \rfocused on progressive sequences that unfold with an inherent harmony \rand intelligence.

In life, and in Krishnamacharyas viniyoga, we need to make a careful \rassessment before we begin to determine our needs and then build a \rcomplementary step-by-step practice to meet those needs. After \rcreating the foundation of our practice, paying attention to how we \rbegin, we can build our practice. We complete our practice, putting the \rroof on, being sure we have carefully addressed our stated needs.

The flow of the breath, of life itself, and of a vinyasa practice is well-described by a sailing metaphor. All three require us to synchronize \rnatural forces that require skill and intuition. Before we take to the sea \rwe must assess the conditions; boat, wind, tides, waves. These \rconditions constantly fluctuate, as do our physical, emotional, and \rspiritual states. Then we are ready to build power, take determined \raction, and tack with the wind as conditions change. If we get it together \rwe are in for a fabulous ride!

At the heart of this approach is the deep honoring and attention paid to \rthe individual. Although Iyengar, Bikram and Jois all came to develop \rtheir own brand of yoga, the notion that any specific yoga prescription \rcan be given to any person is deeply counter to the teachings of \rKrishnamacharya. He stated that the most important thing to remember \rabout a yogic practice is that Yoga should be adapted to the \rindividual, not the individual to the yoga.

Karen B. Cohen C.L.C. RYT500 is a wellness coach and master yoga \rinstructor, writer and speaker residing in a college town in rural Virginia. \rKaren leads people to their own limitless supply of creativity and vitality \rso that they can express their talent and abilities fully in the world. She \rincorporates her expertise in mind-body techniques to work with a wide \rspectrum of clients. Karen provides seminars, workshops as well as \rindividual coaching and training nationally and internationally.

For more \rinformation go to KarenCohenYoga.blogspot.com and RockbridgeCoaching.blogspot.com

Chair Yoga Vinyasa Flow
Here is an option for your Chair Yoga classes. There are seated flows and standing flows from the back, or side, of the chai...

The Truth About Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word, which refers to breath and movement. For example each Yoga posture is matched by one breath. Th...

Types of Yoga
If you are looking to add yoga to your healthy lifestyle you may be wondering what type to choose. We are here to break down...

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Designing a Lesson Plan - Part 1
Which asanas, or Yoga postures, should you select? How long should you hold each Yoga posture? What is the benefit of holdin...

How to Find the Right Yoga Class For You
There are many types of yoga, some with more emphasis on the physical part of the practice and some with a more spiritual app...

Yoga Mats Are For Every Style
You are likely going to need some yoga mats, regardless of what kind of yoga it is that you are planning on doing. Mats are g...

Facts About Successful Yoga Teachers, Part 4
In the last part of this series, lets pick up where we left off about success as a Yoga teacher. With regard to attracting, ...

Crash Course on Yoga
Although yoga has always been associated with Hinduism, it is actually even older than the religion. In fact, yoga is conside...

Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga means "eight limbed yoga" which is designed to cleanse the body and the mind. There are eight spiritual practic...

Yoga Solutions for Anger Management - Asana Practice for Energy Channeling
Among its diverse methods, Yoga has many viable solutions for anger, and anger management. If you look at anger as a form of ...

Teaching Hatha Yoga: Help! My Students Do Not Want to Practice Pranayama
Recently, a Yoga teacher contacted me with the problem of students who have closed their minds to the benefits of Pranayama. ...

Yoga Insights: Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutations), Part 1
Surya Namaskar is now accepted as part of Hatha Yoga, but it was not always this way. Historically, traditional Hatha Yoga s...

Kids Yoga: Enhanced Goal Setting Techniques
Have you ever noticed what a monumental task goal setting is for anyone? Some adults have no goals at all. So, why should w...

Yoga Teacher Certification in New England
Your yoga teacher certification in New England will give you many career options and a refreshing new lifeNew England has bee...

The Highly Complicated Swara Yoga Takes Breathing Exercises To A Higher Level
Swara Yoga is a highly complicated, intricate branch of Yoga based on a higher form of pranayama or breathing exercises. The ...

The Truth about Options for Yoga Teachers, Part 1
When, or if, you decide to become a Yoga teacher, you should start with a basic Yoga teacher training course that gives you a...

Yoga Clothing - What To Wear For Yoga?
The right yoga clothes will make your exercises a lot more enjoyable. The practice of yoga is a combination of various body p...

Yoga For Weight Loss
Many people claim that yoga helps with weight loss. However, there is no hard and fast scientific data to support this claim...

Universal Principles of Yoga, Part 3
Hatha Yoga: Is unity through physical mastery, but Hatha Yoga uses many of the aspects of other Yoga styles. This is the mos...

Yoga is the Perfect Exercise
Yoga is the perfect exercise! Anyone can do it, it is easy to learn, requires no specialized equipment, and it is easy on yo...