HATHA YOGA

From Suddha Anand Yoghshala' s manual, hatha yoga means sun (ha) & moon (tha), and symbolizes life force or consciousness. 
Hatha Yoga: 
  • focuses on meditation towards being in the now , and grounded
  • incorporates pranayama and mantra
  • starts usually with classical surya namaskar
  • holds fewer postures of minimum 1-3 minutes
  • has no sequencing style
Four Paths of Hatha Yoga: 
  1. Jyana Yoga (self analysis)
  2. Raja Yoga (self control)
  3. Bhakti Yoga (self surrender) 
  4. Karma Yoga (Self sacrifice)​
Hatha Yoga has 3 goals:
  1. total purification of the body
  2. complete balance of physical, energetic, and mental fields
  3. awakening of purer consciousness
Hatha Flow:
  • holds postures for longer durations
  • fewer postures
  • may or may not include specifici pranayama and incorporation of bandha's
  • creative in nature.​

VINYASA YOGA

Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that students move seamlessly from one another.  Commonly referred to as “flow” yoga.
Vinyasa Yoga
  • helps to develop a more balanced body 
  • recognizes the temporary nature of things.  We enter into a posture, are there for a while and then leave.
  • refers  to a series, or sequence of steps, to make something sacred.
Vinyasa is a breath initiated practice, that connects every action of our life with the intention of moving towards what is sacred, or most important to us.
The Sanskrit word Vinyasa comes from a prefix vi ( variation), and a suffix, nyasa, (within prescribed parameters).  The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali's specific parameters are:
  • Sthira (steadiness)
  • Sukha (comfort)
  • Prayatna Sithila (smooth & long breath) 
Shiva Rea adds, “Vinyasa in its original meaning from the early Tantras is understood as the ‘sequence of consciousness,’ or how life unfolds from…the creative pulse of life.” Vinyasa can be defined as our external movements that are an expression of how we think and feel.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
  • connects one posture to the next using the breath.  This can be thought of as linking or flowing into postures which is sometimes why it’s called “Flow Yoga”
  • “Transitions” are what connect one posture to another in Vinyasa.  They are the in-between part.  What is not always appreciated is that transitions are considered postures themselves.  To move in a more graceful, connected way, allot just as much time developing skill in the transitions as you do in the asana
  • is synonymous with movement.  Moving in and out of postures is the obvious movement but even in stillness Vinyasa is represented by the beat of your heart and inhale/exhale of your breath
  • moves with breath.  Breath initiates the movement of Vinyasa which is why you’ll hear it referred to as a “breath-synchronized” practice
  • Ujjayi Breath is the breathing technique used.  It is done by inhaling and exhaling in a rhythmic manner through the nose.  The overall sensation is one of relaxation
  • generates heat and can add a cardiovascular component not always present in other forms of postural practice
  • equates with high-energy, there are many ways to approach Vinyasa from rapid to slow 
  • Builds strength, coupled with flexibility, by emphasizing and exploring slower options​.