Vinyasa Krama
The practice of Vinyasa Krama Yoga was described by T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), now considered the father of modern yoga. Many of today's best-known yoga teachers, including B.K.S. Iyengar, T.K.V. Desikachar and Pattabhi Jois studied with him and modelled their own styles of yoga after his practice and teaching.
Srivatsa Ramaswami studied for 33 years (1955-1988) with Krishnamacharya, during which time he learned all the sequences that were later collected in the complete works of Vinyasa Krama. Ramaswami came to know the complete Vinyasa Krama in the hands of his guru.
We studied the Vinyasa Krama method with real understanding with Srivatsa Ramaswami, who studied for 33 years with T. Krishnamacharya.
Ramaswami is T. Krishnamacharya's longest-standing student.
Vinyasa (vi - variation / nyasa - within prescribed parameters)
Krama (sequence)
A spiritual practice that purifies the heart, body and mind, illuminating one's own divine nature. Based on dynamic and varied asana sequences, in precise order and reflection to build spiritual strength, combining the principles of Patanjali's eight Ashtanga branches and T. Krishnamacharya's development of Vinyasa.
To achieve this, we use Breathing, Posture (Bandhas) and Drishti, on the work of breathing, exhalations in general are longer than inhalations, but this can change according to your typology, there can be retentions in certain phases and drishtis are sometimes done with eyes closed centered on the breath. In asana practice, some postures are done with retention and full uddiyana bandha. This yoga system includes not only sequences of asanas with linking movements, but also other aspects of yoga: Prânâyâma, meditation, mantra and mudra. It's a comprehensive practice that purifies, strengthens and gives flexibility to the body, purifies the nervous system and purifies and stabilizes the functioning of the mind.
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There are 12 sequences. They have variations and flowing movements resulting from a main posture. There are dozens and dozens of variations within each sequence. They are taught in a precise order. In each sequence and sub-program, the flow moves from simple movements to those that may seem impossible at first sight. The aim of Vinyasa Krama is to train the body and mind so that the practitioner can make sure and steady progress. Although there are many difficult vinyasas, it's important to remember that with the help of slow breathing and total attention, considerable progress can be made.
According to Krishnamacharya, asana is Svadhyaya; that is, it enables us to understand something about ourselves. He also firmly believes that the beginning of pranayama is in the asana, if we use particular breathing techniques. Asana, and asana alone, accompanied by the right breathing techniques, leads us to pranayama.
The Vinyasa Krama method, as its name suggests (varied without violating the indicated parameters), is designed to adapt to each individual.
Adapting yoga to individual requirements is an art in itself. We need to understand that there is no single standard practice that suits everyone. In medicine, you have to give different treatment to different patients; what's right for someone with a digestive problem would be different from what's right for someone with low back pain.
According to an important Krishnamacharya motto, yoga for children and teenagers (growth stage) is different from yoga practice in their forties, which is still different from practice in old age. Body, mind and goals change at different stages of life.
This is one of the strengths of the Vinyasa Krama method.
Il existe 12 séquences. Elles comportent des variations et des mouvements fluides résultant d'une posture principale. Il existe des dizaines et des dizaines de variations à l'intérieur de chaque séquence. Elles sont enseignées dans un ordre précis. Dans chaque séquence et sous-programme, le flux va des mouvements simples à ceux qui peuvent sembler impossibles à première vue. Le but du Vinyasa Krama est d'entraîner le corps et l'esprit afin que le pratiquant puisse faire des progrès sûrs et réguliers. Bien qu'il existe de nombreux vinyasas difficiles, il est important de se rappeler qu'avec l'aide d'une respiration lente et d'une attention totale, des progrès considérables peuvent être réalisés.
Selon Krishnamacharya, les asanas sont des Svadhyaya, c'est-à-dire qu'ils nous permettent de comprendre quelque chose sur nous-mêmes. Il croit aussi fermement que le début du pranayama se trouve dans l'asana, si nous utilisons des techniques de respiration particulières. L'asana, et l'asana seule, accompagnée des bonnes techniques de respiration, nous conduit au pranayama.