Yoga has been very much in vogue for some time now. And it’s still going strong in the West. More and more people are taking up yoga, not just because it’s fashionable, but above all to enjoy its benefits. It’s worth noting that this discipline is now available in many different forms. This is to match the modern world and the lifestyle of today’s population.

Alongside traditional practices are completely modern forms of yoga. These include power yoga. If you’ve decided to take up yoga and want to get off the beaten track, power yoga may well be your discipline of choice. It combines fun and dynamism. Perfect for burning off energy and relaxing at the same time!

A new form of yoga to discover at all costs

When we think of yoga, we think of an activity where everything happens in slow motion. You adopt a posture for several minutes, breathe moderately… All this, with soft music playing in the background. Power yoga is quite different. It’s derived from Ashtanga Yoga and is also known as Vinyasa Yoga. It’s a dynamic yoga, like its primitive form, but a little more playful. It is practised with rhythmic music: funk, jazz, hip-hop…

Power yoga originated in California (USA) in the 1980s. Beryl Bender Birch, an American yoga teacher, came up with the idea of revisiting Ashtanga. In fact, although Ashtanga has its own virtues, it requires mastery of the lower level before moving on to the higher one. Power yoga, on the other hand, is less demanding. In fact, this discipline is freer and more flexible. As a result, beginners and experienced practitioners alike can practice on an equal footing.

Vinyasa Yoga combines ancient postures with Pilates and fitness movements. This criterion opens up infinite possibilities for postures. Among other things, the freedom offered by this variation of yoga enables teachers to tailor classes to a particular theme or to specific student requests.

A dynamic style of yoga to tone the body

Power yoga has a small number of benefits for the body. It has nothing to envy its predecessors. Here are some of the benefits of this style of yoga on the body.

MUSCULAR STRENGTHENING
Vinyasa yoga is a cross between traditional yoga and sport. During a Power Yoga session, the focus is on particularly physical movements. If you choose this type of yoga, you’ll notice your muscles toning right from the start. Your body will also gain in balance and flexibility.

SCULPT YOUR FIGURE WITH POWER YOGA
When it comes to slimming down, we often think of treadmills or indoor elliptical bikes. But power yoga is just as promising.

Because we’re talking about a particularly dynamic form of yoga, you burn calories during exercise. It’s just like exercising. So, whatever your reason for taking up this discipline, one thing’s for sure: it’ll give you the figure of your dreams.

DETOXIFYING THE BODY
During a power yoga session, you’re bound to sweat. And, as we all know, perspiration also means the evacuation of toxins from the body.

But there’s a variation of Vinyasa Yoga that lets you sweat even more. This is because it’s practised in a heated room. This style of yoga is called bikram yoga. In addition to detoxifying the body, this hot yoga also ensures muscle relaxation. This is due to vasodilation, which improves blood circulation and allows muscles to relax.

ENERGY OPTIMIZATION
Power yoga restores energy balance, helping you to reconnect with your vital energy. By the end of your session, you’ll feel energized, recharged and full of vitality. This energetic optimization also boosts endurance and physical performance.

In any case, practising this style of yoga can be liberating when you’re feeling a little sluggish or going through a period of temporary depression. Vinyasa Yoga recharges your batteries and helps you feel good again.

The mental benefits of power yoga

Of course, this dynamic practice has tangible physical effects. However, since we’re talking about yoga, we mustn’t overlook the mental benefits it brings. And here they are.

A SENSE OF CALM
Vinyasa yoga is both a way of exercising and learning to detach oneself from a hectic daily routine. Its playfulness and flexibility make it an anti-stress yoga. What’s more, apart from its fun aspect, there’s the breathing technique it teaches us. Power yoga teaches us to master our pranayama (breathing).

In Vinyasa Yoga, we focus on Ujjayi breathing. It’s an effective breathing method for calming ourselves. It helps us calm our nerves more easily, whatever the circumstances. What’s more, thanks to this breathing method, we’re also able to control our emotions and approach life with a more Zen attitude.

In short, Vinyasa Yoga gives us mental calm. It’s a great way to relieve stress and tension.

STAYING FOCUSED WITH POWER YOGA
Power yoga is also about improving concentration. In other words, it’s all about staying focused and anchored in the present moment. Staying in the here and now is one of the basic principles of yoga.

Here too, focus can be developed through breathing exercises. But in addition to this, there’s the concentration acquired when executing the asanas (postures) properly.

So if you’ve got a concentration-intensive task ahead of you, why not do a little power yoga? You’ll see that you’ll be on your toes and stay focused throughout your task.

ADOPT YOGA TO DEEPEN YOUR RELATIONSHIP WITH YOURSELF
Like any other form of yoga, Vinyasa yoga is all about personal fulfillment. It helps you connect with yourself through mindfulness exercises. You’ll enjoy a new perception of the world.

What sets this style of yoga apart from others is the flow of the session. As there are no pre-established exercises, each yogi can perform the postures according to the needs and capacities of his or her body.

Power yoga: who can practice it?

Everyone, young and old, can practice Vinyasa yoga. Even the most active seniors can enjoy this discipline.

Since we’re talking about anti-stress yoga, this style of yoga is very well suited to people who feel under pressure on a daily basis, due to work and family life.
Those with an active nature will find pleasure in practicing this style of yoga, as they will at the same time unwind and reconnect with quietude and calm.
Those with insomnia problems can practice power yoga to get back to better sleep.
And, of course, those who simply want to stay in shape won’t be disappointed by the dynamic aspect of this type of yoga.
On the other hand, some yogis don’t appreciate the traditional aspect of yoga: static and too strict. For these, Vinyasa Yoga is fun and playful.

Ultimately, this derivative of Ashtanga Yoga is suitable for everyone. This is because the teacher can adapt the class to the student’s state of health, athletic ability and expectations.

How the session unfolds

The session begins with the traditional sun salutations and work on Pranayama. This is a moment of refocusing: you settle onto your mat, close your eyes, breathe deeply and stretch. This allows you to prepare for the session by putting aside your preoccupations.

The teacher will then guide you through the sequence of postures. You’ll learn to coordinate your breathing with the meditation and postures specific to power yoga:

purvattanasana ;
konasana ;
halasana ;
kurmasana ;
navasana ;
etc.

With motivating music playing during the postures, the sequences are performed vigorously and at a steady pace. The class ends with a moment of relaxation. The session lasts approximately 1 hour or 1 hour and 30 minutes.

Tips for practising dynamic yoga

As this form of yoga will require physical performance, it’s important not to go into the session on a full stomach. Ideally, you should eat at least two hours before your power yoga class. You can, however, nibble on some fruit while you’re waiting for the session to start to refuel. And don’t forget to bring a bottle of water to keep you well hydrated during and after the session.

When it comes to suitable clothing, opt for a comfortable, flowing, lightweight outfit to keep you free to move. This is a vital criterion, given that Vinyasa Yoga postures follow on from one another rapidly. The outfit is even more important in Bikram Yoga. Finally, don’t forget to include a towel in your bag to wipe off perspiration after intense physical exercise.

Contraindications to power yoga

Although Vinyasa yoga is suitable for all age groups, there is a certain category of people who should avoid choosing this variant of the discipline. We are referring in particular to the following two points.

Those with chronic illnesses such as respiratory problems, cardiovascular disease or high blood pressure should avoid Power yoga. It could exacerbate their condition. It’s best to seek medical advice before starting.
People with weak physical conditions should also avoid power yoga. The end of the session may well drain them completely of their energy, instead of recharging them.
And there you have it, you now know everything you need to know about this fun, dynamic, stress-busting yoga. Namaste!

So, are you ready to get started with Yoga Power?