Vinyasa Yoga: What is it?

Vinyasa yoga connects movement and breath. The word vinyasa means "breath-synchronized movement." You will move from one asana (yoga posture) to the next on your inhale and exhale. The yoga postures can be arranged into different sequences, depending on the practitioner's mood.

Cat-cow is an example of a vinyasa, where the yogi moves between the cat pose to the cow pose when inhaling or exhaling. Another example is a sun salutation. Each movement in the series is done on the inhalation and exhalation.

A "vinyasa" can describe a series of three poses. If your yoga teacher says to move through your vinyasa, you will go through plank (using core strength), chaturanga (hover and lower slowly to the ground) and upward facing dog (a big back bend).

Vinyasa yoga has many different styles including Bikram or hot yoga and Kundalini.