Vinyasa Yoga

What is a Vinyasa style class?

Vinyasa is a Sanskrit term that means “to place in a special way.” Throughout a vinyasa yoga practice, the body is placed in special ways- whether it be in a static pose or through a dynamic movement. Vinyasa classes are all about smooth transitions between postures (or asanas). The breath is linked to the movements. Just as the breath flows in and out, the body follows and finds continuous fluid movement.

Classes typically begin with grounding, breathwork and an invitation to be present on the mat. Some gentle movements warm up the body and prepare it for a standing series. The standing series shifts the focus to strengthening and building more heat in the body. A vinyasa class may alternate between flowing movements linked to the breath, and postures that are held for several breaths. The static poses could be part of the standing series or seated postures. Class begins to slow down by using the heat that has built throughout class to help lengthen the body through gentle, long stretches. Class closes with Savasana, or corpse pose, where, by lying in complete stillness, the body has a chance to rest and relax to absorb the work of the practice. 

What makes Kristen’s classes unique?

Kristen can teach to any level and welcomes beginners and all ages to her classes. She is adaptive and responsive to students’ individual needs and interests, while maintaining a comfortable flow and pace for the whole class. She privately checks in with students that are new to her classes to create a connection with them and invites students to share information about injuries or things they may be working through. Her understanding of and appreciation for different bodies helps Kristen appropriately suggest a variety of options and modifications to ensure everyone can safely benefit from the postures.

Kristen offers a unique teaching style that draws from Iyengar, Ashtanga and Desikachar. She is passionate about proper alignment and carefully sets up the foundation and structure of a pose. Completely aware of and fascinated by the science and anatomy of yoga, Kristen also loves to weave in creative descriptions and artistic visualizations throughout class. Her love of nature shines through as she often uses analogies relating to wildlife and landscapes.

At the beginning of each class, Kristen thoughtfully introduces subtle movements or concepts and then intentionally sprinkles them throughout class to allow the students to fully embody the idea. She views putting classes together to be like choreography. It is planning and arranging movements to have a cohesive progression. By offering variations within postures, Kristen helps ensure that students can customize their practice and create their own experience. She seeks to open doors without telling students which door to go through.