YogaAta follows the concept and principles of Power and Vinyasa Yoga

What is Vinyasa and Power Yoga?

Vinyasa yoga began as ashtanga vinyasa yoga introduced by a yogi named Sri Tirumala Krishnamacharya.

Ashtanga  in Sanskrit, means “eight limbs”. Its practice is fast-paced and it is a more intense style of yoga. Each ashtanga practice is a set series of poses which are always performed in the same order and with constant movement from one pose to the next.

Vinyasa means breath-synchronized movement, where each pose is matched with a breath. Students work through a series of poses called Sun Salutations, and like ashtanga, move smoothly from one posture to the next. It is because of this smooth movement that you may also hear vinyasa called “vinyasa flow” or simply “flow”.

There is another key difference between vinyasa and ashtanga. In vinyasa yoga, there is no fixed series of poses so each Vinyasa yoga teacher and each vinyasa class can and will be different.

Power Yoga is also inspired by Ashtanga

Power Yoga also takes it inspiration from ashtanga. It was developed in the 1990’s as an attempt to make ashtanga yoga more accessible to Western students. It is sometimes referred to a “gym yoga” because it was designed to be intense enough to be attractive for Western athletes and gym-goers. And like vinyasa, power yoga is not a set series of poses and, many times, power yoga classes are heated.

Differences between Power and Vinyasa Flow

• Number of poses and how long they are held: Generally, in power yoga there are fewer poses that are held longer. While in vinyasa flow classes there are more poses which are moved through more quickly.

• Strength or Flexibility: Power yoga tends toward strength building because the poses are held longer. While vinyasa flow tends toward flexibility because the focus is on linking the poses together in a continuous movement

• Body or Breath awareness: Power yoga is more body focused while vinyasa flow is more breath focused.