The word vinyasa in Sanskrit means “to place in a certain way”. This conveys that the practice is not just about how to hold a specific posture. It emphasizes the journey there—how you arrive and also how you leave the posture. There is a logical unfolding to the journey, to bring consciousness to each movement and moment.
Vinyasa yoga is also a way to understand the ephemeral and ever-changing nature of existence. When you practice vinyasa, you stay in a posture for only a short while—some for half a breath or up to 5 breaths—and then you leave it