What Does Vinyasa Mean in Yoga?

Often used to describe a style of yoga, vinyasa is a Sanskrit word which describes the way one moves from one asana – or yoga pose – to another.

When broken down, the word literally means to place (nyasa) in a special way (vi).

Step by Step

Vinyasa is the link between the intention and the full flowering of a pose. A tiny seed does not become a tall, shady tree without innumerable tiny steps – each impossible without the one that went before it. And so it is with vinyasa. You can’t get to a headstand without first preparing the body and mind – on any given day, but also through your journey in yoga, from your very first class to the day you finally move your body into a headstand.

It is usually used to describe a dynamic flowing style of yoga, but really, every pose should contain an element of vinyasa.

Linking Breath To Movement

To practice vinyasa, you need to link the movement – any movement – to the breath. For example, to arrive at a simple pose such as urdhva hastasana – upward hand pose – it’s not enough to just raise your arms above your head. You need to be ready in tadasana – mountioan pose – then set your intention, be present, start to inhale, and start to raise your arms above your head. Only when you reach the final pose does the inhale end. In this way, the breath initiates the movement.

In a full yoga practice, the vinyasa forms a continuous flow from one pose to another, creating a kind of moving meditation.

In the same way that the journey is as important as the destination, the vinyasa is as important as the final pose – it’s how you get there that counts.

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