What is the Viniyoga of Yoga?

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The Viniyoga of Yoga for Well Being, Fitness, Lifestyle Support or Recovery

The Viniyoga of Yoga describes how I teach and apply Yoga according to the needs and circumstances of the individual. It is about the individualising of Yoga according to your past, present and future.

“The spirit of viniyoga is starting from where one finds oneself.
As everybody is different and changes from time to time,
there can be no common starting point,
and ready-made answers are useless.

The present situation must be examined and
the habitually established status must be re-examined.”
– TKV Desikachar

The viniyoga, or application, of Yoga is a fundamental principle in terms of how Yoga is applied according to the needs and circumstances of the individual. Applied to Yoga it helps to make the depth and essence of Yoga accessible to all students and helps to make Yoga appropriate to their personal situation.

It comprises the application of physical movement, deep breathing, relaxation, meditation, lifestyle, food, studies, according to the person and their current situation.

The primary aim is to apply Yoga according to the individual, their needs and situation, through respecting differences in age, gender, mental and physical health, lifestyle, occupation and interest.

“Teach what is inside you,
not as it applies to you yourself,
but as it applies to the other.”

– T Krishnamacharya

Care has been taken to try to preserve the spirit of transmission of these Yoga teachings which emphasise:

  • Adaptation of all aspects of Yoga practice to our needs and potential, integrating Yoga postures with movement, breath and awareness, for improved physical and mental health.
  • A process that moves from teaching Yoga adapted to our outer limitations towards one that explores our inner potentials.

Distinctive characteristics of the Viniyoga of Yoga

  • Movement may be dynamic ie movement in and out of a posture. Work in a posture may be static where a posture is held for a number of breaths.
  • Breath is emphasised as the medium for movement in postures. Patterns of breathing are adapted to create different effects.
  • Postures are adapted in accordance with the individual and the desired effect.
  • The emphasis is on the function of the posture rather than the form of the posture.
  • Postures are sequenced in specific ways depending on the desired goal or effect.