Vinyasa

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Vinyasa Sanskrit: विन्यास, vinyāsa (pron. vin-yaah-sa) is a Sanskrit term often employed in relation to certain styles of yoga. The term vinyasa may be vivisected into its Sanskritic etymology to assist in decoding its meaning. Nyasa denotes "to place" and vi denotes "in a special way." Like many Sanskrit words, vinyasa is a polyvalent term that has many meanings.

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[edit] Description

Lori Gaspar (2003) [1] states:

There are four basic definitions of vinyasa: 1) the linking of body movement with breath; 2) a specific sequence of breath-synchronized movements used to transition between sustained postures; 3) setting an intention for one's personal yoga practice and taking the necessary steps toward reaching that goal; and 4) a type of yoga class.

Maehle (2007: p.294) defines vinyasa as:

Sequential movement that interlinks postures to form a continuous flow. It creates a movement meditation that reveals all forms as being impermanent and for this reason are not held on to.

It denotes a flowing, dynamic form of yoga, connected to breath or pranayama in which yoga and mudra transitions are embodied as linkages within and between asana. Indeed, this process entrains the mindstream with the bodymind of the aspirant, and fuels the samadhi of Mystery in the adept; in affirmation that no value judgment between the importance or ascendancy of the asana or the transitions between asana is held. This view of non-judgement is grounded, founded and based in the Shunyata Doctrine which informed the development of vinyasa styles.

Vinyasa is also employed as a noun to describe the sequence of poses that are performed between Adho Mukha Svanasana or Downward Facing Dog as part of a Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation sequence. Though this is more correctly termed half-vinyasa as full-vinyasa returns to complete standing asana or positions.

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  1. ^ Source: http://www.yogachicago.com/nov03/vinyasa.shtml (Accessed: Friday June 8, 2007)

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