Hi, I’m Daniel Dale. If you’re new to Vinyasa Yoga and you attend your first class, you may be struck by how much emphasis is placed upon moving in sync with the breath, as for example in a Sun Salutation sequence.
[Sun Salutation sequence demonstration]
Moving in sync with the breath is one of a number of techniques we have in Vinyasa Yoga which serves to integrate body, breath and mind. The Vinyasa Yogi links postures or asanas together on the thread of the breath in sequences.
Although we may hold an asana, and although various instructors and practitioners may prefer to move at relatively faster or slower paces, in Vinyasa Yoga there is always great emphasis not only on how we do an individual asana, but upon the movements into and out of the asana. We refer to these movements, as well as longer sequences of these movements, as vinyasas. We carefully watch the breath as we move through vinyasas. By monitoring the quality of the breath to keep it smooth and relaxed, we help to assure that our yoga practice is not forced.
We breathe through the nose, slowing down and smoothing out the flow of the breath. This is called Ujjayi Pranayama, and it produces a distinct sound in the back of the throat; sort of like a hush. In paying heed to the breath, we are adhering to one of a number of guidelines established by a very long tradition: part of a system designed to train mind and body so that actions may be performed with greater balance and release. By practicing, we are also cultivating and increasing our capacity for concentration.
The guidelines for breathing are a part of the classical parameters prescribed for the practice of Vinyasa Yoga. In fact, the word Vinyasa itself basically means variations within parameters. This is a term in Sanskrit from long ago in India that’s been used to describe variations in music and art.
One typical parameter is: expansive movements are generally done on an inhale and contracting movements - twists, folding - are typically done on an exhale. For example:
[demonstration]
So the Vinyasa Yoga tradition seems to have taken two different parts of yoga which are often treated as separate entities - breathing practices on one hand and asana practices on the other hand (postures and Pranayama) - and integrated them. So this integration - or this flow as we often call it - with movement through the postures on the breath is a sort of moving meditation. It’s something to bring stillness of mind. That’s the ultimate goal of yoga according to the classical definition. For Vinyasa Yogis and for most schools of yoga, the Yoga Sutra is the ultimate reference, and according to the Yoga Sutra, yoga is stilling the mind.
Stilling the mind is no easy task. So as you begin to explore Vinyasa Yoga, or if you’re experienced and you have a very difficult day and you come to your yoga mat to practice and the mind just does to seem to want to be stilled, we just bring our attention back again and again inward to the breath: watch the breath. From the Vinyasa Yoga point of view, do this and everything else will come. So don’t take it too seriously. Don’t push too hard, breathe, enjoy.
Namaste.