Difference Between Yin Yoga And Vinyasa Yoga

The idea of yoga practice is not new to many people. The practice is centuries-old and its benefits have been confirmed by researchers, medical and health practitioners, and scientists. The development of yoga has been an interesting one. It is important to note that there are different styles of yoga and all of them have their distinct benefits. However, whether you do your yoga at a local class, with a group of friends, or using an app in your living room, there is plenty of ways to enjoy the flow. What matters is to understand what suits you best and how you can achieve your physical and mental goals.

Two of the popular yoga styles are Yin and Vinyasa. These two styles have different forms and descriptions. Sometimes even, there is a classification of people who engage in these styles. For instance, there are considerations for the physical composition of a person, mental state, and how he can handle his body. As you will see in this article, there is a clear difference between Yin yoga and Vinyasa yoga. Understanding them will help you decide which is best for you and why.

Yin Yoga Or Restorative Yoga

Yin yoga is often considered a restorative yoga style. This style of yoga is a great way to combine an active practice with another practice that is intended to give your body and mind time to restore. People who are advised to take up this yoga practice are those recovering from injuries or accidents. As a result of this, people employ the use of props to get the full benefits of the poses. Almost all the poses in this style are practiced sitting on the floor or lying down. Each pose usually lasts for about five minutes before transitioning into another pose. The characteristics of this style include no flow, no rapid movement, or transitioning, and the pace is slow. Patience and meditation are elements of this yoga. The goal is to allow the body and mind to be relaxed, restored, and rejuvenated.

Vinyasa Yoga

Unlike Yin yoga with slower flow, Vinyasa yoga is a yoga practice that combines poses in a flow-like manner. Thus, the transitioning process from one pose to another involves breathing. Every movement in this style is done in flow with inhalation and exhalation. This makes the poses run together simultaneously as in a smooth dance. Traditionally, the sequence in this yoga practice starts with poses that work your spine up to the head. This yoga exercise is characterized by a fluid transition from one pose to another. It should be noted that this yoga can sometimes feel like an aerobic workout and the flow may be tough. In other words, Vinyasa yoga requires a fair amount of strength to carry out as it involves hard physical movement.

Final notes

While Yin yoga tries to balance the physical body and the mind with breathing, Vinyasa yoga takes more of the physical effect. By the look of it, Vinyasa yoga is not advisable for people recovering from injuries or accidents due to the amount of physical exertion expected. In some places, teachers may combine both styles depending on the participants.