YogaAta Follows the Concept and Principles of Power and Vinyasa Yoga

What is Vinyasa and Power Yoga?

Vinyasa yoga began as Ashtanga yoga, introduced by yogi Sri Tirumala Krishnamacharya.

Meaning “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, Ashtanga is a fast-paced practice. Each Ashtanga practice is a set series of poses which are always performed in the same order and with constant movement from one 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 Vinyasa may be called “Vinyasa flow” or simply “Flow”.

In Vinyasa yoga, there is no fixed series of poses so each Vinyasa teacher and class will vary from one to the other.

Power Yoga is also Inspired by Ashtanga

Power yoga also takes it inspiration from Ashtanga. Developed in the 1990’s as an attempt to make Ashtanga Yoga more accessible to Western students, it is sometimes referred to as “Gym yoga”. Like Vinyasa, Power yoga is not a set series of poses and, many times, classes are heated.

Differences between Power and Vinyasa Flow

• Number of poses and how long they are held: In Power yoga there are fewer poses that are held longer, while in Vinyasa flow 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.