If you’re looking to step out of your comfort zone and onto the mat for the first time, you may have some questions about the different types of yoga. Each type of yoga has its own style and uniqueness—from gentle stretches to meditative breathing to mixing in weights.

At Midtown Yoga, our signature hot flow class is vinyasa style where you move through a mindfully-designed sequence of postures. You know we like it hot, but we also like to move to the rhythm of our breath. This style of yoga is all about breath and movement—you won’t be holding static poses for a long time in most of our classes.

What is Vinyasa Yoga?

Vinyasa yoga is all about moving from one pose to the next and that movement is coordinated with your breath. You’ll often hear the word “flow” when discussing vinyasa yoga because of the way your body moves from one pose when you inhale directly into the next when you exhale. 

This dynamic practice can flow at a fast pace or a slow pace. Midtown Yoga classes are designed to build the intensity and pace as the class progresses, with a cool down at the end to bring your heart rate back down.  

Vinyasa classes will typically incorporate all varieties of postures—from standing to seated to forward folds and twists. The beauty of this style is that no two classes are ever the same.

Each style of yoga has a myriad of benefits ranging from physical to mental. Here’s why we love the Midtown Yoga vinyasa style.

Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga

1. Reduces Stress and Boosts Mood - the flow of class requires you to focus on the present, on your breath and movement–and nothing else. This mindful movement can help calm your mind, provide clarity, and relieve stress. You’ll learn to take what you need and leave what you don’t.

2. Improves Balance and Stability - moving through a vinyasa flow at a faster pace helps build strength, especially in your core. This can help improve your stability, power, and balance for everyday life.

3. Encourages Flexibility - you don’t have to be flexible to do yoga, but you may notice your muscles feeling elongated after a few classes. The rigorous movement of vinyasa yoga naturally warms up your body, and coupled with our hot studio, it encourages your muscles to soften and stretch further throughout your practice.

4. Enhances Mobility - the fast-paced style of yoga helps strengthen muscles while you increase your range of motion. Mobility is a key factor in reducing injuries, avoiding tightness, and improving your posture.

5. Healthy Heart - the dynamic movement from one pose to the next elevates your heart rate so that your yoga practice can become a cardiovascular workout to keep your heart healthy.

Vinyasa yoga is an extremely adaptable form of movement. Yoga meets you where you are, and your practice is meant to be an experience that is unique to you. Your instructor is there to guide you, but you are your own best teacher. No matter the pose or the pace of the class, you are always welcome to slow down, skip a pose, or move into a variation that feels intuitive and right for you!

Check out our 10 days for $25 intro special to try out a variety of teachers and classes. Taking at least three classes in the 10-day period will give you a true feel for what it’s like to incorporate vinyasa yoga into your routine!