Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa is a yoga style that evolved from Ashtanga Yoga. Vinyasa is a Sanskrit word meaning "to place in a special way." Vinyasa yoga is all about synchronising breath and movement together. In Vinyasa yoga, you move from one pose to another while controlling your breath properly. In this yoga style, you will hold yoga poses for a few breaths, and then you'll move from one pose to another using correct breath inhalation and exhalation technique.

History of Vinyasa Yoga

Ashatanga yoga is the source of Vinyasa yoga. K. Patthabi Jois was the one who popularised Vinayasa yoga. K. Patthabi Jois learned this style of yoga from his guru, Shri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, Thus, Vinyasa Yoga is based on the teachings of Shri Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Shri Krishnamacharya taught that the movement between each asana should be considered just as important as the yoga postures. The main motive of the yoga style is to increase consciousness and concentration during the entire practice. In Vinyasa yoga, we try to maintain deep breathing and correct alignment throughout all the movements during the practice. Linking breathing with movements is the main purpose of Vinyasa yoga.

Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga

Vinayasa yoga has the following benefits:

Improved Heart Health: Vinyasa yoga can help people improve their heart health or cardiovascular fitness. In Vinyasa yoga, individuals move from one pose to another using the correct breathing style. These yoga movements increase the heart rate, just as they do when you jog or run. Vinyasa yoga practice, over time, can improve heart health and endurance.

Strengthens muscles: There are many poses in Vinyasa yoga that strengthen different muscle groups in the body. Strengthening muscles can help improve everyday activities, it can improve joint pain, reduce fat, and improve posture and personality.

Increased flexibility and mobility: In Vinyasa yoga, individuals move from one pose to another, in which the body uses different joints and muscles. Vinyasa poses require a full range of motion of joints and muscles, which, when practised on a daily basis, naturally increases flexibility and mobility.

Reduced anxiety and stress: Yoga is a type of physical, mental, and spiritual exercise that gives individuals numerous benefits. Yoga, of any type, can help reduce stress and anxiety. Various studies have been conducted regarding yoga, and the results have proven that any form of yoga can reduce stress and anxiety in an individual.

Improved Body Posture: Bad body posture is a big problem nowadays. Working individuals who are involved in a sitting job are more prone to bad posture. Bad posture can lead to various problems such as back pain, stiff muscles, etc., which are very bad for any individual. Practising Vinyasa yoga can help improve body posture. Vinyasa poses release the tension from the muscles and bones caused by bad posture.

Improved mood: Vinyasa yoga helps reduce the stress and anxiety levels in an individual. Apart from this, doing Vinyasa yoga can help release various brain chemicals responsible for making one feel relaxed, such as gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), dopamine, oxytocin, serotonin, and endorphins.

Where can one learn Vinyasa Yoga in India?

There are various places in India where Vinyasa yoga is taught. India is the birthplace of yoga. It is the place where yoga originated. There are various yoga schools and centres in India where one can enrol and learn yoga. However, if you want to learn traditional yoga from professional yoga teachers around a yogic environment, Rishikesh is the best place in India to learn yoga. There are a number of yoga schools in Rishikesh that offer all forms and styles of yoga. They have registered yoga teachers with years of experience in teaching yoga. The environment and surroundings of Rishikesh also offer spiritual vibes, which complement the yoga teacher training.

Rishikesh is also known as the "Yoga Capital of the World." Every year, thousands of people from different countries visit Rishikesh just to learn yoga from authentic yoga schools in Rishikesh. Some of the reasons why Rishikesh is called the "Yoga Capital of the World" are mentioned below:

Yoga-practicing place for reputed yoga gurus: Rishikesh is the place where yoga gurus and sages have practised yoga for decades. Some of the most renowned yoga gurus who practised yoga in Rishikesh include Guru Vashishtha, Jatawale Baba, and Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. also Adiguru Nilkantha, Swami Shivanand, Swami Dayanand Saraswati, and various other spiritual idols.

High spiritual energy: Rishikesh is one of the holiest places in India and offers high spiritual energy. The holy river Ganga also flows through Rishikesh. Various temples are also located here.

Hub of yoga retreats, ashrams and yoga teacher training: Rishikesh is a hub for yoga retreats, ashrams, and yoga teacher training institute. There are many YTT institutes that offer various levels of yoga teacher training to become a registered yoga teacher. All the YTT courses are registered with Yoga Alliance USA. Along with this, they also offer yoga retreats and workshops.

Peaceful, scenic surroundings: Rishikesh is located on the banks and foothills of the Himalayas, offering a lush green environment, zero pollution, and a breathtaking scenic view. The natural surroundings of Rishikesh make it a perfect place to learn and practise yoga.

The different Vinyasa Yoga courses offered at Rishikesh Yoga Schools:

• 100-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC) 
• 200-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC)
• 300-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC)
• 500-hour Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training Course (YTTC)
• Vinyasa Yoga Retreat

The Best Yoga Schools in Rishikesh for Vinyasa Yoga Teacher Training and retreats are as follows:

• Vinyasa Yogashala, Rishikesh
• Rishikesh Yogkulam, Rishikesh
• Jiva Yoga Academy, Rishikesh
• Gurukul Yogashala, Rishikesh
• Rishikesh Yogis Yogashala, Rishikesh
• Yoga Sadhana, Rishikesh
• Rishikesh Vinyasa Yoga School, Rishikesh
• Vinyasa Yoga Ashram, Rishikesh
• Vinyasa Yoga Academy, Rishikesh

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