Yoga Vinyasa Krama is not a style of yoga, but a complete system focused on mental one pointedness, purification, neuromuscular fitness, balancing prana, conscious breath refinement & precision (distinct use of breath different from ashtanga & modern vinyasa), awakening subtle energy & internal discipline. It's architecture encompasses a vast presentation of these tonic, psychophysiological practices that are designed for the developing yogi or used as a therapy, catered to the unique individual through the stages of life. Vinyasa is a breathing system.
(Side Note - many practices may use the term vinyasa krama to refer to a particular style often missing the complete methodology, but the vinyasa krama I am referring to is a comprehensive system, beyond just standardized physical movements, that Srivatsa Ramaswami learned under Sri Krishnamacharya through one on one studies for over 33 years - and insight from a similar Himalayan vinyasa krama method I study through my Nath meditation Master. Sri Krishnamacharya also studied in the Himalayas under a Nath Yogi as well as received teachings through an experience with NathaMuni revealing the Yoga Rahasya - how to apply yoga individually through the stages of life and as a therapy).
Traditional yoga requires abhyasa, the consistent practice and effort within a bonafide system designed intelligently to create the stability of a still mind. Yoga is a profound system, not meant to be a trend or a mere fitness, relaxation, mindfulness or nervous system reset class, a dance party, wellness hack or a forced "activation" workshop for cathartic releases and fleeting feelings of bliss, spa like pampering, or instant gratification. A lot of modern yoga fits market demands using comfort over depth with ungrounded and magical thinking - piecemealed into class styles of postures practiced casually with distractions & playlists, often taking Sanskrit concepts/philosophy out of context and given new meanings.
Modern yoga is an off shoot from yogic philosophy based methods of hatha & raja yoga, but often distorted and watered down, missing the essence, complete system and correct approach. With the development of Certifications, Yoga Teacher Trainings & Yoga Alliance (only a registry not a governing body) anyone without experience can become a yoga teacher and anyone can offer a yoga training. Even well studied practitioners of lets say bhakti or jnana yoga may teach these "styles" without understanding the correct application of a yoga philosophy based practice, but use a lot of authentic sounding Sanskrit terms.
Yoga is an inward path, approached with reverence, honoring those who have tread the path before us - of self mastery - purifying our body-mind, refining our senses, refining our character, balancing our energy, quieting the mind - aligning with the Divine truth. It is a gradual process (a dharmic tradition which includes lifestyle guidance and body/mind training) that requires patience, reducing our rajas (restlessness, anxiety, overexertion, body/mind disturbances), tamas (dullness, inactivity, lethargy, laziness, depression) and promoting sattva (purity, clarity, calmness, peace).
Distinct from modern styles, the system has variations of approach while adhering to the architecture, guidelines, parameters & nuances via lineage & scriptural translations - targeting the physical body including the internal organs, the mental & pranic bodies. The nature of a daily practice may vary depending on daily intention, needs & goals & time of day - varying from physically moderate to very vigorous & conditioning, with energetic and therapeutic effects, use of bandha, vaseth & mudra, breath ratio, mantra, the specific kramas & variations practiced, subtle aspects & important morning kriyas, extensive pranayama, pratyahara & dharana practices. One can use the system intelligently and apply appropriate practices more than once a day, lets say a morning and evening practice.
My Classes and Teaching Philosophy
Unlike styles, there are variations of practice and not one size fits all. Every class may be extremely different depending on the practices. Dropping in for a class here and there, one would never get an accurate understanding of the system. It is not intended to be just a random class for a particular experience. It has practices that build upon one another & is designed for the practitioner to embrace self empowerment & establish a home practice and gradually progress on the subtle inward path to silence & stillness.
Attending classes regularly, the practitioner can get a better understanding of the method & nuances and be able to begin a home practice. The system doesn't fit into the modern studio format and presentation of yoga. Sometimes, there may be a bit of a shift and "unlearning" certain modern tendencies when embarking on a traditional system. Not all yoga is meant for everyone and general classes cannot accommodate or properly benefit everyone's unique needs. Traditionally, yoga is taught one on one & in small groups. Vinyasa Krama, and yoga in general, is designed to address that.
The modern day "shopping around yoga" - style after style, workshop after workshop in "hodge podge" (as one of my teacher's calls it) creates confusion. The system requires discipline & consistency.
My teaching draws from over 30 years of studies and teaching for 25 years, with very disciplined long time personal practices of pranayama based techniques/systems and studies within bonafide lineages and lived experience, not easily acquired certifications or new information used as embellishment or for monetization without integration. My classes are not "fluffy" or a "bootcamp" and do not have music or distractions in the background. My teaching is warm hearted, but direct & straight forward, honoring who's standing in front of me and where the teachings came from and how I have been taught to apply them. I do my best to keep the teachings pure without my own unfounded interpretations.
I also went through some "unlearning" from things I picked up in modern yogaland. When I first encountered this system, I was in awe and wondered why I had not known of it. It clarified the internal conflict I was experiencing of why the mainstream presentation of asana/vinyasa (and my personal practice of ashtanga vinyasa, modern vinyasa & other applications of asana I learned) seemed completely contradictory to my meditation practices & what yoga is designed to do - and was missing so many elements and preliminary and counter practices - for creating sattva, not agitating or increasing the rajas and tamas. It was the first movement based system that felt aligned with my longtime (pranic) Himalayan meditation practices. I left my first class feeling grounded, clear, oxygenated & filled with prana and immediately pursued learning the system in-depth. I gradually transitioned to exclusively teaching this system about 12 years ago from more mainstream & popular practices. I have other long time personal practices with vows, only learned through my Masters & Satguru, but highly inform me.
With all the challenges and demands of our modern world, I understand why people just want to go somewhere and have an experience, but that is not yoga. Yoga is self empowerment. There are millions of excuses why we can't develop a home practice, but we have to realize that is coming from the mind and our excess tamas or rajas speaking. While having an extra room dedicated to our practices, having a nanny, partner or relative to take care of the house, chores and kids would be ideal so we can practice, that may also be a privilege and only for some. As a single mom with no local family or support, I managed to do it. It just takes a shift in our thinking and attitude and making our practice a priority to find a time and make the space (even if just a quiet corner) and a bonafide practice that makes sense and can grip us.
Presently I am only teaching a few public classes a week, but also teach private one on one and small group classes.