It involves moving from one pose to the next in a seamless, flowing sequence. The word "vinyasa" comes from Sanskrit and means "to place in a special way". 

Vinyasa yoga is also known as "flow" yoga, is a dynamic practice where you move through a flow of different yoga poses. This allows the body to ease gently into postures that build flexibility, strength and balance.

Often in each vinyasa yoga class you’ll practice many of the same postures, but approaching them in a different order and way based on the theme you’re focused on in class.

You start to develop concentration and focus on your breath and body, which also often begins to result in a calmer and quieter mind.

Health Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga

On a physical level, vinyasa yoga will support you to work on your flexibility, strength and balance through dynamic and active stretching. This supports the lengthening, strengthening and mobility of your muscles, bone density and connective tissue. The continual movements, from one pose to another, gives you an added cardiovascular benefit creating internal heat. 

As we start to move to more subtle levels of the breath, vinyasa yoga will help increase your breathing capacity through the focus on deep and steady breathing. This can support deepening and lengthening your natural breathing pattern outside of your yoga practice, and calming your nervous system. The steady cycle of inhales and exhales provides you with a calming, mental focal point.