We are independent & ad-supported. We may earn a commission for purchases made through our links.
Advertiser Disclosure
Our website is an independent, advertising-supported platform. We provide our content free of charge to our readers, and to keep it that way, we rely on revenue generated through advertisements and affiliate partnerships. This means that when you click on certain links on our site and make a purchase, we may earn a commission. Learn more.
How We Make Money
We sustain our operations through affiliate commissions and advertising. If you click on an affiliate link and make a purchase, we may receive a commission from the merchant at no additional cost to you. We also display advertisements on our website, which help generate revenue to support our work and keep our content free for readers. Our editorial team operates independently of our advertising and affiliate partnerships to ensure that our content remains unbiased and focused on providing you with the best information and recommendations based on thorough research and honest evaluations. To remain transparent, we’ve provided a list of our current affiliate partners here.
Fitness

Our Promise to you

Founded in 2002, our company has been a trusted resource for readers seeking informative and engaging content. Our dedication to quality remains unwavering—and will never change. We follow a strict editorial policy, ensuring that our content is authored by highly qualified professionals and edited by subject matter experts. This guarantees that everything we publish is objective, accurate, and trustworthy.

Over the years, we've refined our approach to cover a wide range of topics, providing readers with reliable and practical advice to enhance their knowledge and skills. That's why millions of readers turn to us each year. Join us in celebrating the joy of learning, guided by standards you can trust.

What Are the Best Tips for Doing Flow Yoga?

By Misty Amber Brighton
Updated: May 17, 2024
Views: 5,773
References
Share

People who would like to improve their concentration and flexibility may want to try flow yoga, sometimes called vinyasa. When looking for a class, it is helpful if the instructor first teaches the poses and then concentrates on helping people to breathe properly while doing them. There may be special breathing exercises, which can be done before or after a workout in order to improve breathing techniques and make the exercises flow more smoothly.

When learning flow yoga, choosing the right instructor is very important. A good teacher will be able to demonstrate the exercises before having her students attempt them. After students begin doing poses, she may need to make corrections to their style and technique. This can be a tedious process, so it is helpful to have an instructor who is very patient with her students and not overly critical.

A small class size can be very helpful because students will be able to receive more personalized instruction. People who are beginners may want to consider taking private lessons until they feel comfortable doing vinyasa poses on their own. There should ideally be one instructor for every four to six students if it is a beginner class and no more than ten students per instructor for an advanced session.

Students will also need to concentrate on their breathing while doing flow yoga. This means that vinyasa should be done in a very quiet room where there are no distractions if possible. If vinyasa yoga is being done at a gym, there may be a special room set aside for this, but people could also designate a room in their home for this exercise. Whether being done at home or in a gym, it can be a good idea to turn off cell phones or leave them outside so they will not interrupt the workout session.

Flow yoga consists of three basic exercises: plank, chaturanga, and upward facing dog. These are normally done in succession without any pauses between each pose. This means it can be important to use a mat when performing vinyasa yoga. One that is smooth on top will help an exerciser glide from one pose to the next; however, the mat should have a little bit of cushion in order to make it comfortable to do yoga breathing.

Vinyasa can be done any time of the day, but some people may find it relaxing to do this workout at night. Each flow yoga session is normally very short, which means people who are very busy can still find time to do this workout. Wearing loose-fitting clothing can help people perform these poses better no matter where or when they do vinyasa yoga.

Share
WiseGeek is dedicated to providing accurate and trustworthy information. We carefully select reputable sources and employ a rigorous fact-checking process to maintain the highest standards. To learn more about our commitment to accuracy, read our editorial process.
Link to Sources

Editors' Picks

Discussion Comments
By literally45 — On Feb 13, 2015

@fify-- All type of flow yoga is not fast. Flow yoga or vinyasa is basically any type of yoga where the poses smoothly connect to one another and are synchronized. Whether the movement is fast or slow depends on the yoga teacher and the poses he or she selects.

A type of flow yoga, called power yoga, is also popular now. This is a very fast moving flow yoga that uses cardio exercises in addition to yoga poses for a demanding workout. Your tips is best for this type of yoga because one may suddenly find himself doing push-ups before a downward dog pose. So the mat needs to be suitable for both types of exercise.

By fify — On Feb 13, 2015

@discographer-- Actually, those doing flow yoga need to be more particular about their clothing and mat. It's necessary to wear comfortable but well fitting clothing or the repetitive movements of flow yoga may cause discomfort, even chafing. The mat is also very important. It needs to be a firm mat, but a little bit of thickness may make it easier and more comfortable to move from one pose to the next.

Flow yoga burns more calories and causes more sweating. So it's also important to clean the mat properly after each use. Otherwise accumulating sweat and oil will cause bacteria and consequently odor problems. So it's best to have a mat that is washable or easy to clean.

By discographer — On Feb 12, 2015

These recommendations seem to be the same ones for other types of yoga. I think flow yoga is more demanding since it's rapid without breaks. But anyone who practices yoga regularly will be able to do it in my opinion. It may seem challenging and tiring at first, but it's worth it.

Share
https://www.wisegeek.net/what-are-the-best-tips-for-doing-flow-yoga.htm
Copy this link
WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.

WiseGeek, in your inbox

Our latest articles, guides, and more, delivered daily.