To YIN or VINYASA… that is the yoga question.
To yin or not to yin, this is a question we get at hi yoga etc. Our students who already yin ask about the hot sessions of power flow vinyasa. What is the better yoga? The answer may surprise you!
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga with postures, or asanas, that are held for longer periods of time and may range from 45 seconds to two minutes; more advanced practitioners may stay in one asana for five minutes or more. Deep stretches and calm breaths are a great benefit of yin and we are excited to have more classes available for hi yoga etc. students. Yin yoga poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues of the body—the tendons, fascia, and ligaments—with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility. A more meditative approach to yoga, yin aims at cultivating awareness of inner silence and bringing to light a universal, interconnecting quality.
Yin yoga’s teaching in the Western world, beginning in the late 1970s, was founded by martial arts expert and Taoist yoga teacher Paulie Zink. Yin yoga is not intended as a complete practice in itself, but rather as a complement to more active forms of yoga and exercise like Vinyasa yoga.
The word “vinyasa” can be translated as “arranging something in a special way,” like yoga poses for example. More than a specific type of yoga, vinyasa is more of a flow or series of poses. In vinyasa yoga classes, hi yoga etc. students coordinate movement with breath to flow from one pose to the next. For example, we breathe in for ardha and release that same breath when we return to forward fold, uttanasana.
Ashtanga, Baptiste Yoga, Jivamukti, Power Yoga, and Prana Flow could all be considered vinyasa yoga. Vinyasa is also the term used to describe a specific sequence of poses (Chaturanga to Upward-Facing Dog to Downward-Facing Dog ) commonly used throughout a power vinyasa class. At hi yoga etc. we create a special powered flow that is fast paced while centering on the connection of body and breath. While power flow vinyasa yoga moves faster than yin, the body moves from asana to asana with coordination and purpose. Benefits are instantaneous. Using several vinyasa classes, hi yoga etc. has recorded 450 and 525 calorie burns in 65 just short minutes.
In summary, yin is great for slow and controlled asanas that drive deep stretches into your body. Vinyasa power flow cranks up your energy output while burning calories at a fast rate. Following the path of diversity in action, adding yin and power vinyasa gains the benefits of each. Come try both at hi yoga etc. and find balance in mind, body, and soul by building your custom yoga practice… yoga like you.
