Introduction to Vinyasa Krama

See the tadasana (sometimes known as talasana) krama — the foundational practice to Vinyasa Krama yoga asana.

 

In the video above, you witnessed and heard more about the tadasana krama, or otherwise known as the talasana krama, sequence. Tadasana is the first krama or sequence of vinyasakrama yoga. It initiates the practice of standing with both feet touching, a position which beckons the body to balance itself.  The movements of Talasana are performed with symmetry, lightness, and a devotional reverence, which lends a settling, stable quality to the practitioner’s presence.


The beauty and efficacy of yoga is eloquently brought out by Vinyasa Krama.

In Vinyasa Krama the body, breath and mind are integrated to attain a unified state of harmony and attention. Vinyasa also means variation. Vinyasa Krama uses numerous variations of each posture to fully explore the possibilities of the body and attain the classical goals of Yoga — steadiness and comfort.

Synchronizing one’s breath and aesthetic movement will help train the mind to focus. Harnessing the breath will form a union of mind and body that will allow each student to ease into a steadiness within each posture.

The yogis knew that their practices represented more than a system of exercises. By opening themselves to the waves of energy within and around them, they fueled – as we do now – the relationship with the divine soul. The ultimate goal of every yoga practice is to become a vessel able to sail into the infinite cosmic source. The ancient yogis recognized the importance of storing the analytical mind and resonating with the senses, both inward and outward, to explore the infinite properties of light and dark, breath and silence, movement and stillness, to infuse the brain and heart with light and love.

In India, these teachings have been passed down for many centuries, preserving the time-tested aspect of inherent trust in absolute truths.

The following is a letter written by Sri. K Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, Mysore, South India on the purpose and method of yoga from an Lineage based perspective.  

"I was disappointed to find that so many novice students have taken Ashtanga yoga and have turned it into a circus for their own fame and profit. The title 'Power Yoga' itself degrades the depth, purpose and method of the yoga system that I received from my guru, Sri. T. Krishnamacharya. Power is the property of God. It is not something to be collected for one's ego. Partial yoga methods out of line with their internal purpose can build up the 'six enemies' (desire, anger, greed, illusion, infatuation and envy) around the heart. The full ashtanga system practiced with devotion leads to freedom within one's heart. The Yoga Sutra II.28 confirms this 'Yogaanganusthanat asuddiksaye jnanadiptih avivekakhyateh', which means 'practicing all the aspects of yoga destroys the impurities so that the light of knowledge and discrimination shines'. It is unfortunate that students who have not yet matured in their own practice have changed the method and have cut out the essence of an ancient lineage to accommodate their own limitations. The Ashtanga yoga system should never be confused with 'power yoga' or any whimsical creation, which goes against the tradition of the many types of yoga shastras (scriptures). It would be a shame to lose the precious jewel of liberation in the mud of ignorant body building."

Study Krishnamacharya great video introduction to VinyasaKrama, take a look at this beautiful video created by students of Ramaswami as a dedication to him.