Vinyasa Flow is a perennial favorite that has been developed in America since the 80s and 90s and has been practiced and modified worldwide since the 2000s.
The original, classic yoga style that involves flowing movements is Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Here the movement sequences are set out in rows, very athletically challenging and are combined with a special pranayama breathing technique called Ujiay breathing.
Flowing transitions and movements are found in the sun salutation naturally, as several movements are practiced in one sequence. The sun salutation is practiced in various forms in almost every body-oriented yoga style.
The special yoga style Vinyasa Flow is a modern development and combines the most diverse positions with each other, holds them briefly and immediately moves on to the next form. The sequences are freely selectable and are practiced with or without a combination of breathing. The joy of rhythmic or dance-like movement and the joy of flexibility are at the forefront.
Many styles go back to Shiva Rea, who initially practiced classical Ashtanga Vinyasa Flow by Pattabhi Jois and completed dance training herself. The style she developed is known by different names: Vinyasa Flow Yoga, Prana Flow Yoga, Yoga Trance Dance or Prana Vinyasa – but always incorporating the same principle: Yoga positions that are practiced in flowing dance-like movements in the flow.
Anusara Yoga is also a vinyasa style that Barbara Noh has developed further on the basis of martial arts, ballet and professional dance.
Tri Yoga by Kali Ray (Tri stands for Asana, Pranayama, Mudras) has also developed a gentle Vinyasa flow since the 1980s and spread it worldwide.
Other current representatives:
Liquid Flow Yoga by Simon Park
Inside Flow Yoga with Young Ho Kim,
Happy Flow or Happy Yoga
In the following video you can see a widespread Vinyasa Flow style based on Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga:
In the second video, the movement is choreographed with music. Called “Happy Flow” or “Happy Yoga”.
Here we have arrived at purely physical movement. There is no spiritual motivation, the joy of physical movement is the main focus.
Continue to the next yoga style: Yesudian
