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The Difference Between Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga

Two of the most popular styles of Yoga classes are Ashtanga and Vinyasa. The defining characteristic of Vinyasa is the alignment of movement and breath; and, technically, Ashtanga is a form of Vinyasa. Both styles stem from the Krishnamacharya Yoga lineage, and both highlight breath-centered movement. However, that is where the similarities end.

The biggest difference between Ashtanga and Vinyasa lies in the sequencing. Ashtanga Yoga consists of three series of postures: primary, secondary, and advanced. The series are sequential in that a practitioner must master one before he or she can move on to the next. Each series consists of a predefined order of postures (asanas) that students practice the same way, every time. On the other side of the coin, Vinyasa class sequences vary, and the practitioner might experience an entirely different sequence each time he/she practices.

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Each Ashtanga series revolves around a category of asanas: the primary series centers on forward bends, the secondary series focuses on back bends, and the advanced series emphasizes arm-support and arm-balancing poses. As the class progresses, the postures in the series, become more complex. Vinyasa Yoga sequences, on the other hand, often feature a peak pose. The peak pose is a challenging and complex pose that the teacher has selected for a particular practice. The teacher leads the class through a sequence of postures that helps students prepare for practice and recover from the peak pose.

Both Ashtanga and Vinyasa employ a three-pose transition, called a "Vinyasa," which includes Chatturanga, Upward-Facing Dog, and Downward-Facing Dog. In the Ashtanga practice, the student performs an asymmetrical pose on the right side, moves through a Vinyasa, and then repeats the pose on the left side. In Vinyasa Yoga, a student may link several asymmetrical poses together before performing the Vinyasa and switching to the other leg.

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Ashtanga classes can be either teacher-led or "Mysore," which means self-led. In a Mysore class, each student practices an Ashtanga series from memory, moving at his or her own pace. The teacher walks around and provides individual adjustments and instruction, as needed. In contrast, a Yoga teacher almost always leads a Vinyasa class. The Vinyasa teacher will cue the entire class together and offer some individual adjustments on an as-needed basis.

Finally, students of Ashtanga Yoga do not use props, posture modifications, or music. In Vinyasa classes, some teachers make props available, use background music, and encourage their students to modify postures, as needed.

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Is Vinyasa Yoga Good for Children?

Yoga is a very popular activity in many communities, as people increasingly come to recognize the myriad benefits it has to offer our bodies, minds, and lives. Yoga teacher training programs that specialize in training instructors for teaching children are also becoming quite prevalent, but what sort of classes should kids participate in?

Happily, most teachers of children's Yoga classes know a good deal about what makes kids tick and have designed their classes accordingly. Who can help but be delighted by the idea that we name asanas after animals? Most children love learning the animal poses and will eagerly supply all the proper sound effects, too. Yoga games, stories, and songs are also really effective ways to teach children asanas and breathing. The key to teaching Yoga to kids is to keep it fun and stress-free. Children usually come to Yoga class, without the self-consciousness and ego, which many adults have. These feelings are frequently a great hindrance to adults in their Yoga practice; but because children are generally more open and accepting, both of the class and of their own abilities, they flourish.

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The benefits of Yoga for children are many. Children must sit still and pay attention for long periods at increasingly younger ages, and this can cause them great stress; but Yoga gives them a method for releasing pent-up energy in a productive way. Yoga can help kids maintain their natural flexibility, as the rest of the world grows rigid, and it can help them keep viewing their bodies as a positive and powerful force in the universe.

About Vinyasa for Children

Vinyasa Yoga is a very enjoyable and effective form of Yoga for many adults, but is it a good fit for most children? As many of you already know, Vinyasa Yoga is a sequence of asanas, connected to breath in a flow. Vinyasa flow might be a leisurely series or a quick-paced routine, depending on the style, studio, and Yoga instructor; and it might also be practiced in a heated studio. Most classes are an intense and physically challenging experience.

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This makes Vinyasa classes perfect for adults looking for a challenge. However, young children might not usually respond well to this type of class - a child's imaginative spirits and love of variety point towards something less serious and more fun.

Vinyasa Yoga is not an ideal choice for young a child, but a youth Yoga program, designed just for kids, is an excellent way to introduce the life skills of Yoga to a new generation of practitioners.

Conclusion

While the case has been made that Vinyasa style classes may not be ideal for young children, teaching teenagers in athletic leagues is a different story. As a form of cross training for teenage athletes, many Yoga teachers have seen rapid changes for the best. Teenage athletes, who participate in flowing style Yoga classes, gain strength, balance, flexibility, stamina, self-confidence, and a deeper knowledge of one's self. These valuable life skills serve teenagers well, at a time when peer pressure is at its height.

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Discover Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is a phase that is applied to many different types of yoga. The word Vinyasa is defined as "breath-synchronized movement," which means that movements are connected to breathing. This form of yoga is popularly practiced in the western part of the world. It is sometimes called "flow yoga" as the movements are synchronized with the inhaling and exhaling of breathe. Vinyasa yoga classes consist of either slow or fast movements as well as meditation or chanting. The technique of the class will depend on the instructor.

Anusara Yoga This form of yoga includes alignment work as well as the Vinyasa breathing techniques. Most classes use props for different poses and students must learn the vocabulary of Anusara, which can take some time. This class may be ideal for individuals who desire to improve both their spiritual and physical well-being.

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Moksha Yoga Moksha is considered a form of hot yoga that includes 40 poses. The beginning of the class consists of standing poses for warming up, which are followed by floor movements. Oftentimes the students are asked to set their intentions for their desired outcome of the class before beginning.

Integral Yoga This form of yoga addresses every aspect of life. This includes interpersonal relationships, spiritual, physical and intellectual. These classes are noncompetitive and gentle.

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Power Yoga These classes can vary according to the instructor. This form of yoga is better fitted to individuals who enjoy workouts and are currently in good physical condition. Power yoga contains only a small amount of meditation and chanting.

Kripalu Yoga This form of yoga is very gentle. For those who wish to work on both their physical and spiritual self, Kripalu yoga can be ideal.

Because Vinyasa yoga is very diverse, the instructor does not have to follow a specific philosophy or sequence. This allows for more freedom of expression individually. For those who enjoy a less uniformed style of yoga that includes lots of movement, Vinyasa yoga may be a good choice. With the many different types of Vinyasa yoga available, classes can be found that are ideal for seniors, those who are overweight, beginners, intermediates and advanced students. No matter what the desired goal is, whether it is strictly aimed at physically stretching and getting more flexible or the desire is one of physical and spiritual uplifting, yoga offers everyone a wonderful way to become stronger - physically, mentally and spiritually.

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5 Tips When Teaching Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga takes the idea of flowing breath and synchronicity to a new level. Movement is literally synchronized to each breath, and it is oftentimes called Flow Yoga because of how well it corresponds to every inhale and exhale. This technique, or term, is oftentimes used in all types of Yoga, and teaching it effectively is key to seeing success in your students. Since Vinyasa Yoga can be taught in multiple forms, using it in your classes helps you develop them better and more effectively. Use these tips to start teaching Vinyasa Yoga more effectively.

5 Tips When Teaching Vinyasa Yoga

- Stick To Your Own Personal Teaching During Classes

Even though Vinyasa is a technique added to a wide range of Yoga forms, you have to still build it into your own idea. There isn't a specific philosophy or rule book for you to follow, so your own ideas and personality can shine through in your teachings. The key is to make sure you incorporate this form of flowing Yoga effectively.

- Don't Feel Limited

Just because you don't do Bikram Yoga or a strictly Vinyasa Yoga class, it doesn't mean you can't utilize this form of teaching to students. A wide range of yoga practices are incorporating this flowing type into its form. Just a few of them include Ashtanga, Anusara, Hot Yoga, Forrest, Jivamukti, Moksha, and Power Yoga.

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- Start With Your Mat But Help Your Students As You Continue

You are of most use to your students when you are helping them. Go ahead and get into the stretch with them, but try not to stay in the pose with them. It is hard in the first few classes that you teach, but don't be afraid to watch them and correct them whenever you can. This is the key to seeing their capabilities and watch their growth, along with helping them enhance their poses.

- Speak Slowly

As a teacher, it is easy to try and speed up through the entire sequence and teach them as fast as possible, but you want to be slow. When you go from one breath into another pose, you want it to be smooth and not feel rushed or forced. Talk slower than your possible slowest.

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- Practice The Sequence Beforehand

It is vital that you know the sequence and that you have done it before. This is even more crucial when it comes down to Vinyasa Yoga because everything needs to be synchronized to your breath. Find out how the sequence works, make sure it corresponds with good breathing, and that the sequence will benefit your students. You don't want it to be too quick of a sequence and it really builds up in the body.

Always remember that in Vinyasa Yoga, breathing is so important, so be sure to craft your sequences so it flows repeatedly from one pose to another. In classes when you're learning all of this, you get more in depth ideas on crafting sequences correctly. Remember that your own body needs to be taken care of so be sure to practice at home and to utilize this time to work on sequences for your class as well.

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Yoga Therapy For Chronic Back Pain - The First Step Toward Relief

When considering Yoga therapy for chronic back pain, you should have the endorsement of your physician or medical specialist. Reducing the back pain in your life can be a team effort. It is important to realize that many forms of therapy work well in harmony with medicine and each other.

In the case of Yoga therapy for back pain, one should feel a reduction in pain, but this does not mean you should discard your prescriptions, or the advice of your doctors. Most people, who constantly suffer from back pain, try medical or chiropractic solutions, prescriptions, and a variety of physical or alternative therapies.

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After trying a variety of solutions, most people tend to continue with anything that helps them manage, or eliminate, pain. With that said, Yoga therapy sessions, or Yoga classes, are often part of a larger solution for pain management; and in some cases, the complete elimination of back pain.

Does this mean that every Yoga teacher has solutions for backaches and serious back pain? No, because there are a variety of Yoga styles, and many of them address mental, emotional, and spiritual health. Mental, emotional, and spiritual health are important in any healing process, but you want to be sure treatment of the physical body is included in your Yoga therapy.

A smaller, but very popular, group of Yoga styles are off shoots of Hatha Yoga (union by physical mastery). Does this mean that Hatha Yoga is purely physical in nature? No, because depending on the teacher and the sub-style, Hatha also covers mental, emotional, and spiritual health, in various degrees. The variation among Hatha Yoga's sub-styles covers a wide spectrum of knowledge and approaches toward health.

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From the Hatha style, modern Yoga therapy has sprung. Among the therapeutic Yoga systems are: Viniyoga, Iyengar Yoga, Restorative Yoga, and other forms of Yoga therapy. This short list is where a person in chronic pain should begin to seek pain management solutions.

This will also require an extensive search for the right teacher, school, or Yoga therapist. The right teacher, or therapist, is knowledgeable, competent, gentle, understanding, and has time for you. You can easily make an assessment in one consultation, private session, or over the phone.

Generally speaking, Yoga schools do not have group therapy sessions for the same ailment. There may be a specialized workshop for back pain, but these are rare. Therefore, it would be wise to schedule a private Yoga session with the most qualified teacher or therapist you can find.