Viniyoga Introductory Class

image from www.viniyoga.com

Saturday, 09/07/19 was my first experience with Viniyoga.  I've heard of Viniyoga and it's "father," Gary Kraftsow, but knew nothing other than that some consider it to be a therapeutic, perhaps clinical (ahem, dry) type of practice.  I can no longer enjoy vinyasa yoga and focus these days on non-flow hatha, yin, restorative and Kundalini. When I learned that the local studio has a new Viniyoga teacher I reached out to her.  She assured me it is not a vinyasa type class, so I went to investigate it on Saturday.

What sets Viniyoga apart?  Some of the cornerstone principles, according to www.viniyoga.com are "function over form," "breath and adaptation" and "repetition and stay."  At the introductory workshop our teacher, Gretchen, had some sheets up on an easel showing the lineage of Viniyoga.  The term isn't new - Viniyoga is mentioned in the Yoga Sutras.  At right is a little info about the lineage from Vedic times to Gary Kraftsow.

The Experience:  Gretchen coached us a lot on the breathing technique.  If you've taken yoga classes you are familiar with the three part breath, or belly breath, in which you begin the inhale by loosening the lower abdomen and letting air fill the lungs from the bottom up. In Viniyoga you inflate the chest first then relax the lower abdomen.  Which makes sense.  We practiced the breathing for a while and then incorporated it into tadasana (mountain pose), uttanasana (standing forward bend) and some "un-cat and camel" flows (a Kraftsow-ism) on all fours.

After that we did a full practice including the aforementioned poses plus the Viniyoga versions of Warrior I and triangle.  We began to understand the concept of "repetition and stay" with mountain pose. First you stand grounded in your pose, then do a series of alternating arm raises with the breath - right arm up, left out to the side; left arm up, right out to the side; then both arms up, repeat the sequence three times with inhales and exhales in unison to the arm movements.  In triangle pose we stayed, swept the top arm overhead with an inhale and turned our heads to look up; rotated that hand behind our backs with the exhale and looked down; repeat three times.  After a few more poses and a series of breathing counts we enjoyed a lovely savasana.

My Take Aways:  After the full two hour workshop I was truly primed to meditate for at least 30 minutes, completely free of monkey mind.  Everyone in class agreed that we felt thoroughly oxygenated and peaceful.  Sadly, despite the promise that Viniyoga is a therapeutic approach, my back was sore that afternoon and all day Sunday.  It could be from sitting on the floor listening to the lecture, it could be the newness, it could be holding the standing poses after not doing the Warriors for a long time.  I will talk to Gretchen about my concerns and give it another try because there is a noticeable improvement in my respiratory system.  If Viniyoga comes to your town - try it, it's worth experiencing something new.