Vinyasa is breath synchronized movement seamlessly united with the intention of God Realization. Krama is a sequential process designed to awaken inherent divine energy. Vinyasa Krama is a Sanskrit term that means the optimal sequencing of events. It is a sequential outline for attaining peace and artful liberation. When practicing asana one links breath with inner intentions and outer actions. We correlate yoga postures with conscious breathing and divine intention, arranging postures in a sequential format to transform the body, mind and spirit. The breath is the thread that links our movement in a sequence of postural changes. When you practice in this way you will notice change is always occurring. I encourage you do not be swayed by the constant fluctuation of change; instead move through transitions peacefully, gracefully and artfully. Your practice can be a succession of changes undertaken with a single pointed intention, free from fluctuations of the mind. What is your intention? GOD Realization!
Vinyasa Krama is articulated by knowing the essence of the sequence and keeping a solid continuous flowing pace in a steady unbroken stream, similar to composing music. Move with grace and sweet intention during your asana practice. In all asana sequences you are the artisan of that moment in time, continually creating a BODY OF WORK, your body becomes the rhythm of artful and peaceful living. When practicing Vinyasa Krama the breath and movement are seamlessly united in such a way that each action encourages and supports the other, like a drummer supports a guitarist to create a song or musicians play instruments to create a symphony. Your body joins with your breath to create a vehicle for peace. As long as we are in this body, life is changing, artfully explore the transitions and MOVE WITH GRACE.
In practicing vinyasa karma there is a succession of movements that are intrinsically linked with yoga philosophy, guiding you toward enlightenment. We practice a sequence of postures linked to the breath, immersing into the higher Self where we become ONE. Spiritual revolution and realization transpires when you understand although you have a body, you are not your body or breath. When practicing yoga asana we are moving toward personal transformation, spiritual liberation and eternal freedom. Whatever movements you make or steps you take, rejoice! It is the intention you set when performing the actions you take that will make a difference, not only in your immediate environment but the world around you. When we align ourselves in a posture, we express both the vibrational essence of its Sanskrit name and the vibrational essence of the life-form that the asana embodies. For example while emulating an eagle you might imagine you are about to take flight or rooting down into the earth like a tree in vrksasana. “We can use these "vibrational signatures" to compose words, sentences, stories and mythologies. The combination of vibrations becomes an invocation to cosmic consciousness.” The constant change in an asana sequence it what creates a flowing movement of inspiration but it is not the goal.
Yoga Sutras Pantanjali : 3rd Pada, 15th Sutra,
Kramanyatvan
parinamanyatev hetuah
Krama - change of order of arrangement
Anyatvan - of the other (cause)
Hetuah - (become) cause
Parinama - to make change
Anyatve - (in) the other
“The universe is a state of incessant change while Ultimate Reality Purusa, Brahman, is the only substance which is unchanged and eternal.” (the goal)
A sequence of movements in yoga asana changes but the intention is always the same Self Realization. Although everything in your body is fluctuating, one thing is not; the unchanging reality Brahman. When you realize this peace reveals itself within. Breathing: Ujjayi pranayama (victorious breath) is the breathing method used during the flow of asanas. A whispering "haaahhh" sound is made by contracting the glottis in the back of the throat and breathing through the nostrils with lips gently sealed. Vinyasa flowing classes may also include other forms of pranayama, but ujjayi is the continuous rhythmic breath that builds heat and provides a mantra of sound to enhance the fluid nature of the practice. Ujjayi breath should be long and deep but never forced; this stretching of the breath serves to calm the mind. Yoga practices incorporating ujjayi are often referred to as moving meditations, the breath used in vinyasa is ujjayi pranayama it creates a vibration across the soft palate of the mouth, warming the breath as it enters the body. It is practiced as a linking mechanism to enter, exit or join postures.
The choice of movements typically consists of counter poses that help balance the effects of asanas and clear energy channels. We bring the body back to neutral so that one can fully feel the energetic effects of the practice. You are also learning how to control the breath while moving through space and learning how to initiate movement with your breath. The breath creates a rhythm of respiration that you continue to feel while holding a pose. Turn your focus to the nature of the breath. Ask yourself, is my breath calm? Is it smooth? Can I stretch the inhale and exhale without pushing? These questions encourage one to ease deeper into the pose; rather than focusing on just muscular effort. Movement and breath are coordinated together to design a practice that is appropriate for your needs. I encourage modifications of postures for different levels and injury prevention, always listen to your body as resistance arises for a number of reasons sometime to tell you to slow down and sometimes because you must work it out.
Cultivate a gradual progression/evolution within your yoga practice. Ask yourself am I stabilizing the pose, what body part is grounded to the earth? What muscle groups am I activating? What is the relationship from one pose to the next? How does the succession of movements support each other? Then turn yourself over and let yourself be uplifted towards GOD. Typically, inhalations are linked to upward movements and motions intended to expand the front of the body and create lightness. Exhalations are tied to movements that either compress the belly, as in forward bends and twists, or ground and stabilize us with downward flowing energy. For example, at the beginning of a sun salutation we inhale as we raise our arms up and exhale as we fold forward toward the earth. Here are some general rules that should help. No movement should be undertaken without a corresponding breath. Superfluous movements or embellishments should not be added. When in doubt, move out of one asana completely and realign the body with a neutralizing asana before moving to the next asana.
Inhale-moving away from the earth and exhale-moving toward the earth
(in some cases this may not apply, depending on the sequence).
"The Hatha Yoga Pradipika tells us to listen to the teacher, transmission happens through listening. The teacher is asking students to move their diaphragm, according to the instruction they are giving, allowing control of their breath that is something that should be honored, by the teacher. Vinyasa and pranayama are creatively sequenced to develop internal awareness, build heat and explore the energizing effects of yoga. Including music in a yoga class enhances the flow and rhythm of the class and supports our intention; we compose classes in a way that connects asana movement with rhythmic breathing while listening to uplifting music. Regulated breathing is an important aspect of vinyasa-krama and the breath is carefully coordinated with the postural alignment of the asana.
"When individual asanas are linked together correctly in a sequence, the result is a physiological mantram.” Most people are not conscious of their intention from moment to moment. Yogis establish a conscious high intention and teach themselves how to remain aligned with the changeless reality, no matter how much they are dissuaded or distracted by the external world. First we must determine an intention, develop an intelligent sequence of asanas, perhaps with a focus on inversions, backbend, forward bends or twists. With each inhale we bring new energy into the life of our bodies, with each exhale we let go, explore moment to moment; inhale to exhale and your sequence of asanas should have an intelligent flow. The real Vinyasa, or link, however, is the "mindfulness" with which you practice the asana. It is the "mindfulness" that links the postures with consciousness instead of unconsciousness. Choose to undertake a sequence of actions that has a conscious focus, aimed toward the attainment of peace, artful liberation, compassion and enlightenment. Set an intention for your personal yoga practice and tune your body to a higher plane. Vinyasa krama is the flowing river of change beautifully linked with breath and good intention.