Just vinyasa

The thread that weaves together the practice

---

I’ve always tried to adopt a balanced approach to life, to keep an open mind as far as possible. In a similar guise, I have always tried to adopt a balanced approach to the way I practice and moreover the way I teach.

The practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga involves (amongst other things) a combination of both strength and flexibility, something that applies both physically and mentally. That is in essence, what drew me to the practice almost 25 years ago and holds me here today.

To me at least, it therefore makes sense to teach in the same way. One of the many joys in teaching is trying to find that balance. The happy middle ground between the strength element, the structure of the practice, in tandem with the flexibility element, to consider differences in each practitioner, the different bodies, different personalities, different lives.

That said, despite my attempt at a nuanced approach, I am still an Ashtangi at heart. And while I am often one to fight against dogma and rigidity in the practice, there are some topics and areas where I must admit, that I have somewhat fixed views. Yes, despite my best endeavours, even I become part of the yoga police every now and then.

One of those topics in particular involves the other half of the Ashtanga title - the Vinyasa. Or, to be more specific, skipping the vinyasa.

To skip or not to skip? (And why is that even a question?)

I expect that the title, will mean that anyone reading this far will have a good idea about what I’m referring to. However, for those who may be unfamiliar with the context, let's begin with a little background.

The word Vinyasa means 'to place' (vi) 'in a special or particular way' (nyasa).

In the yoga [asana] world, a ‘vinyasa’ is the word we use to describe the movement between one pose and the next. So you can think of it as the particular way we place the body into each pose.

Within Ashtanga, we use the word for several things, but its most common use is to describe the movement sequence between sitting poses (jump back, up dog, down dog, jump through).

Vinyasa sequence - image courtesy of Prana Yoga

Within the Ashtanga primary series, aside 1 or 2 exceptions, we do this vinyasa sequence for every change of posture. This means between every pose and between every side.

Skipping rationale

Every now and then, a student will [try to] skip some of these vinyasas, generally the ones in between sides of the seating poses. Sometimes this happens because they are new to the practice (ignorance is bliss as they say). Sometimes because they previously practiced in a studio where this was allowed. Sometimes it's an existing student who should just know better…… ;)

When I get asked, (or more likely I observe what the student is doing), my response is always the same. I adopt a facial expression of feigned shock and horror, before simply saying ‘just vinyasa’.

Now I realise that many people will be thinking, come on, what's the big deal? It’s just a vinyasa. And I agree that in the grand scheme of things that it’s not a massive ordeal. However this is sort of my point. If it's not a big thing, then just do it. Just vinyasa. End of story.

Alas not. Unfortunately my hope that a spin on a Nike slogan would be enough to motivate students is evidently just wishful thinking. Therefore lets have a look at some of the typical reasons (aka: excuses).

‘I don’t have time’

Sure, we all have competing demands of our day. We have work to get to, kids to pick up, trains to catch etc. It’s easy to get short of time, particularly when you have a longer practice.

But before you try to use this as a justification, let me suggest that you pause for a moment. Have you ever actually considered how much time skipping the vinyasas in between right and left sides will save you? No? Ok then let's break it down.

First of all, how many vinyasas are we actually talking about?

9.

Yes 9.

No, not 90 or 19.

9.

And exactly how much time does each vinyasa take? Typically, each vinyasa sequence lasts 10-15 seconds. Let's be generous and say 20 seconds for anyone having a particularly slow day. That would mean that skipping your 9 vinyasas will save you a whopping total of 180 seconds. AKA: 3 minutes.

So, now ask yourself again whether those 3 minutes will really make all the difference?

‘I’m injured’

Before I say any more - of course, if someone has an injury then I’m all for modifying the practice accordingly. Similarly with pregnant ladies, older practitioners etc. Too few teachers understand how to modify and when. However, modification is not the same as exclusion.

Despite what is often believed, jumping back and through vinyasas is not a requirement. They can be gentle steps, movements integrating with your breath synchronistically.

‘Generally speaking, moving is better than not moving.’ - D. Keil

The typically blamed culprits here are wrists or shoulders. While some can be serious injuries, from personal experience, pain/discomfort in these areas is often relieved my movement.

Naturally, if you do have an injury that is exacerbated by the vinyasa, and there is no modification that works effectively, then of course missing them out is perfectly ok. But in this case perhaps it would be better to skip all of them? (Rather than just 9).

That’s not how I was taught

(also known as: it's ok in X other shala)

It’s worth noting at this point that many things in Ashtanga have changed over the years. However, and perhaps more importantly, much more has stayed the same.

From what I understand, when the first students visited Mysore, the practice wasn’t always taught with a vinyasa between each side. However, it was also much more common back then to practice ‘full vinyasa’. Here the student returns to standing in between each pose. (Perhaps it’s curious that more students don’t want to try this method? ;) ) It's also worth noting that the current method with its corresponding vinyasa count has now been largely fixed for more than 40 years.

It’s also worth noting that different teachers teach in different ways and I’m not here to judge anyone. Students are welcome to do what the hell they like at home or in other studios.

As a general rule, when practicing elsewhere, I always try to respect the rules of that shala. If not, I don’t have to practice there. This is part of the beauty of the method. So if it’s taught in a different way elsewhere, then respect the way it is taught in that space.

‘I’m tired’

(also known as ‘I can’t be bothered’, ‘I’m feeling lazy’ etc).

Ok so now we’re getting to the nub of it. The real heart of the matter. In 99% of cases, if we're honest, this is the real reason as to why someone wants to skip. So first of all, please be honest, both with your teacher and more importantly with yourself.

Again I am not here to judge. Ashtanga is a physical practice and we all get tired. However, the discipline of the practice is sort of the point. Working through the series movement by movement is how we build strength and resilience.

We all have off days, and there is nothing to stop you from cutting your practice short. However cutting the practice short is different to chopping bits out of it.

The thread that weaves

Ultimately, what makes Ashtanga distinct from other forms of asana practice is the vinyasa. The vinyasa is the thread that weaves together the practice. It binds each asana together one by one, and forms the practice itself.

It has a specific (albeit sometimes incoherent) Sanskrit count that links each movement, each breath and each posture into the beauty that is Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga. Cutting that thread cuts the practice itself.

I realise that my arguments above may well leave some of you to still think - 'so what?' That's ok. I am only attempting to be honest with you in the hope that you will now be honest with yourself. If I can't convince you why you should, perhaps at least you can 'un-convince' yourself why you shouldn't.

Then perhaps next time you think about whether to skip or not to skip? First ask yourself, why is that even a question?

Just vinyasa.

Ian Cheney

Free Breathing Ashtanga Yoga - Berlin

Further posts in this series to follow including: ‘put your heel down’, ‘stop talking’ and ‘stop using the wall’. ;)