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Vinyasa is a style of yoga characterized by stringing postures together so that you move from one to another, seamlessly, using breath. Commonly referred to as “flow” yoga, it is sometimes confused with “power yoga“. Vinyasa classes offer a variety of postures and no two classes are ever alike.

Vinyasa Flow yoga stems from Ashtanga Yoga. The Sanskrit term "vinyasa" may be broken down into its Sanskritic roots to assist in decoding its meaning. "Nyasa" means "to place" and "vi" means "in a special way." In other words, yoga postures (Asanas) during vinyasa yoga class "are placed in a special way", or special order to suit a variety of students needs and, more importantly, are connected to breath. So, vinyasa means a "breath-synchronized movement".

Vinyasa style classes are choreographed to smoothly transition from one asana to the next, linking each one to the cycle of a student's breath (inhale-exhale makes one breath cycle). It makes the practice flowing, almost dance-like, and explains why this style of yoga is often referred to as Vinyasa Flow or just Flow. With each movement being linked to the power of inhalation and exhalation, this style of yoga is more dynamic, invigorating, demanding, and challenging than most styles.

Vinyasa flow classes bring the body into a state of physical strength, flexibility, and vitality, the mind into a state of balance and stillness, and help a student to create a “container” for the movements and experiences in life.

Hatha yoga is the overarching umbrella of yoga that encompasses most of the traditional styles, including Vinyasa and Ashtanga. Directly translated to “willful” or “forceful” in Sanskrit, Hatha yoga is the fundamental system of yoga that focuses on the pairing of poses or “asanas” with breathing techniques or “pranayama.”

Hatha yoga uses the practice of the poses to rinse out the body and build the physical strength and endurance required to spend long periods of time in meditation. Once the Hatha yoga practice is complete, the ideal mind body harmony has been created to facilitate deep, relaxing meditation.

In today’s yoga community, the term “Hatha Yoga” is often used to distinguish classes that pair pranayama and traditional yoga poses. However, Hatha yoga classes veer away from the rigorous breath-to-movement flows more commonly found in Vinyasa and Ashtanga yoga, and focus on flowing the breath in static postures to be with them longer.

Hatha yogis can expect an accommodating practice full of static postures, mindful breath-work and a manageable pace. This dynamic allows for a greater focus on alignment and mindful breathing, making the practice accessible to yogis of all levels, especially beginners.