During our first yoga class with Rachel Brathen in Costa Rica, she kept repeating a word that I at first didn’t understand. For someone who had only taken a few yoga classes beforehand, I had no idea what “Vinyasa” meant, or what it was. Luckily, Rachel had prepared a special workshop for us that afternoon that would teach us everything we needed to know about practicing the Vinyasa.
What I love about yoga is that it teaches your body how to flow and how to balance. As you inhale and exhale, your movements start to be in unison with your breath. Learning the Vinyasa was challenging for me at first. You need a lot of upper body strength to flow into the series of poses, and it works arm muscles that I didn’t even know existed. One thing Rachel taught us is that yoga has a lot to do with muscle memory. The first time you twist or turn into a new pose, your body might not like it. As you move your body into those poses over time, the new muscles you are working will begin to remember the way they moved. Each time you try that new pose, it will become easier and easier for your body to master. After doing the Vinyasa a couple of times with Rachel’s guidance, my arms began to strengthen and eventually I could flow smoothly throughout the four poses: High Plank, Chaturanga, Upward Facing Dog, and Downward Facing Dog.
Check out the video below and watch Rachel Brathen talk us through the full breakdown of the Vinyasa!
1) High Plank
2) Chaturanga
3) Upward Facing Dog
4) Downward Facing Dog
Thank you, Rachel!
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Love this! Taught a class based on this the other day :)
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I love yoga!! watching this makes me want to do a vinyasa or two during my lunchtime !!! It just feels so wonderful to s t r e t c h >>> m o v e >>>>> and b r e a t h s l o w l y and m i n d f u l l y throughout the day !!!! Thank you for sharing!
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I’ve been loving all your posts about your Costa Rican adventures. Just out of curiosity, was the trip open to the public?
I love this , & I love Rachel !!!
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Thank you for this video, tomorrow I’ll start my day with the Vinyasa!
Claire-Line
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so.. all of these put pressure/weight on your wrists. I just recently had tendonitis on my wrists… is there modifications for these poses???
Arianne
I follow Rachel Brathen on Instagram and she is amazing! Namaste, y’all. :)
What is the music track used in the video? So soothing…
Would love to have this one on my playlist :)
Great video! Very simple and sweet! I love that this was filmed in Costa Rica, home of the yogis. I was bit by the yogi bug in Costa Rica, and when returned home, pursued and completed my 200-Hour Teacher Training. Thank you for this video! Beautifully done.
Great video! Very simple and sweet! I love that this was filmed in Costa Rica, home of the yogis. I was bit by the yogi bug in Costa Rica, and when returned home, pursued and completed my 200-Hour Teacher Training. Thank you for this video! Beautifully done.
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Love Rachel!!!
This is such a beautiful breakdown and video. Very clear and easy to understand for any level. I posted it! Thank you!
Nice post Jana; good explanation.
Where did you go in Costa Rica. I’m almost on my why over there: will be teaching yoga here and there. May be the resort you went to is a good spot as well.
Thx.
John
Hi Rachel, Wonderful and Nice Post!!! You have done a wonderful job. I love the yoga when we have to bend, twist our body and even inhale and exhale our breathe with every single movement we do. All of the postures above are extremely clear. I feel very wonderful while practicing Vinyasa yoga as it increases my metabolism and balances my body to great extent.