Flow yoga is a type of yoga that connects your movements to your breathing. In flow yoga, the yoga postures or "asanas" flow smoothly from one yoga position to the next on either an inhalation or an exhalation.

Flow Yoga is also called Vinyasa Yoga, which means "breath-synchronized movement." The thought is that the controlled breathing that accompanies the yoga positions in Flow Yoga cleanses the body and creates energy. This philosophy is the basis for other popular yoga styles like Ashtanga Yoga and Power Yoga.

But unlike the predetermined sequences of Ashtanga Yoga, there is no single set of rules or philosophy governing Flow Yoga.
Instructors have the freedom to create unique experiences by linking yoga positions according to their personalities and the needs or mood of the class. This makes Flow Yoga a great option for both beginners and experienced yogis alike.

Ashtanga yoga (also spelled Astanga) is a traditional style of yoga practiced across the world and popularized by celebrities like Madonna and Sting. Vigorous and physical, the practice of Ashtanga yoga challenges the participant's strength, flexibility, breathing techniques and concentration. Literally translated, Ashtanga means "eight limbs," and refers to each person's eight spiritual channels. The traditional practice of Ashtanga yoga was translated from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta by Prattabhi Jois in 1958.

A typical Ashtanga yoga session moves through a series of postures (asanas) which are linked together through movement and breathing techniques, allowing for a flowing structure to the practice. Ashtanga yoga typically begins with a number of sun salutations -- there are two different types, A and B -- and many of the movements are linked together by a vinyasa, a flowing movement meant to generate energy and cleanse the body. Traditional Ashtanga yoga can involve 75 different postures, including standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends, and can last up to two hours. Throughout the practice, participants use a deep breathing technique called Ujjayi breath, which channels air through the back of the throat.

Ashtanga yoga is best practiced in a teacher-led environment, but because of its structured approach it can be done independently by experienced yogis. Ashtanga yoga is the basis for power yoga, a fast-moving athletic variation of the traditional practice.

More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Power Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Hatha Yoga

Power yoga is an exercise-based approach to traditional yoga. Based loosely on the Ashtanga style of yoga, power yoga is a vigorous vinyasa-style practice that was designed as a means to get fitness-minded westerners interested in yoga. Power yoga sessions do not follow a specific sequence of poses, and subsequently practices can vary greatly between classes and instructors. However, every practice is based on the fundamental goal of increasing flexibility and strength through physically challenging postures.

Postures in power yoga are typically linked together by a sequence called a vinyasa, which includes downward dog and upward dog. The purpose of a vinyasa is to create heat and energy in the body and to "refresh" the muscles after the previous pose. Power yoga sessions often also focus on a style of breathing called Ujjayi breath, a strong breathing technique that forces air through the back of the throat.

Unlike most traditional yoga practices, which focus on the spiritual and meditative aspects of the poses, power yoga is more focused on the physical aspect of the session, and it is most often used as a means to get fit or lose weight rather than achieve enlightenment.

More Yoga Terms Defined from That's Fit:
Ashtana Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Hatha Yoga

I recently met with internationally renowned yoga teacher, Seane Corn, in my living room. It wasn't a personal meeting, but it felt like one -- I popped in one of her Vinyasa Flow Yoga DVDs and we hung out together on my purple yoga mat breathing, stretching and finding serenity.

Whether you're into yoga or not, you should know about Seane Corn. Her vinyasa flow asana instruction is a spiritual experience like no other, but I'm most impressed by her yoga-inspired philanthropic endeavors. Beyond the mat, yoga has proven a springboard for Corn's social and political activism on behalf of YouthAIDS, Children of the Night shelter for sexually exploited children and Off The Mat, Into The World -- a yoga leadership training program where students empower themselves to advocate for social change within their own local circles. Building social capital at its finest.

My husband peeked over my shoulder last night as I perused Corn's awesome website and upcoming schedule. He wistfully said, "If only we could attend one of her workshops someday." Just maybe our someday's sun will rise.

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