Vinyasa yoga, seen by an expert: Lilian Durey
We continue our exploration of yoga as seen by experts. Today, we asked Lilian Durey to tell us about Vinyasa Yoga that I had the great chance to practice with him. A fluid, dynamic yoga, from ashtanga, on breathing that is a bit like a dance.
Vinyasa yoga is taught by many yogis, especially in fitness-oriented gyms that offer a variety of classes to appeal to yoga enthusiasts. While this is in response to demand and a real fad, the craze for this dynamic version of the practice is justified by its body and soul benefits through an essential awareness of breathing...
Vinyasa is a Sanskrit term that means synchronization of movement with the breath (two roots: "nyasa" which means "to place" and "vi" which means "in a specific way). Vinyasa yoga is defined as a sequence of dynamic movements, initiated and harmonized by the breath.
A bit of history…
Vinyasa yoga is a form of Hatha yoga. It comes first from the experience of Krishnamasharya who gives its first principles by following the study of the yoga sutras of Patanjali, the bagavad gita and hatha yoga pradipika. It proposes sequences of postures combined with breathing, which today constitutes the basis of the work of Vinyasa yoga. His disciples were Pathabi jois (Ashtanga Yoga) and BKS Iyengar (Iyengar Yoga) who in turn developed two methods of yoga with their own understanding of the sequencing, rhythm and content given to a yoga practice. What is called Vinyasa Yoga today is the interpretation of these methods and other forms of hatha Yoga by several generations of students and then Eastern and Western teachers. These adaptations are the subject of constant debate on the respect of the original teaching of yoga. This is also what makes this method popular and interesting throughout the world and history.
Breathe the “Prana Flow”
Vinyasa yoga coordinates movement and breathing in sequences of asanas. In Prana Flow, Shiva Rea's method, we pay great attention to the transitions between postures. The practice develops through successive waves of preparatory postures that are repeated and then accentuated. They allow us to culminate in key postures very gradually. The objective of the sequencing is a complete practice but committed to a theme in stages or Kramas. Awareness of breathing not only improves flexibility and strength but also helps to transcend the stress of daily life...
From “sporty” yoga to “artistic” ecstasy…
These vinyasa yogas are increasingly defined by the notion of Flow. The notion of flow refers to a psychological state marked by great concentration and therefore a strong presence in the task that one is carrying out. This results in an immersion in a state beyond time and bodily and mental limits. It is a state that can be compared to certain ecstasies described in texts related to yoga. It is also a state well-known to dancers during phases of improvisation, creation or performance.
Expert opinion: Testimony of Lilian Duray
It is on the basis of the teachings of Vinyasa Yoga and Western Hatha yoga of Lucien Ferrer (master at the origin of Energy Yoga) and with my experience as a dancer and athlete that I evolved from a purely yogic perception to paths of body and mind awareness in search of "universal" alignments of Flow and energetic perceptions. These "universal" alignments are very simple principles of posture and intention. During my few years of teaching, I welcomed a "beginner" to yoga at almost every session. I had to find fundamentals to offer a healthy practice to these "novices" and always interesting for other yogis.
I experiment and offer yoga in several forms depending on the audience, the seasons and the times of day. What I like to encourage is experimentation by oneself to embody and find "one's" practice. For this, I use the notions of pulsations or "body vinyasa". Pulsations are incidences of breathing in the movements of the body. They are used to highlight the expansion and retraction of the breath. Breathing induces movement and movement extends its action to lead to a transition.
In the sessions I also introduce the work of the senses common to Energy Yoga. Working the senses and their subtle parts called "Indryias" allows to obtain a significant concentration and an apprehension of fluids and energies. For more experienced practitioners, I introduce rhythmic breathing and learning the anatomy of the subtle body. The stages of concentration and meditation of yoga are thus proposed in each session, in movement or in meditation posture.
This yoga aims to remain simple and accessible to all. It promotes relaxation first and foremost, fluidity in the body and concentration in the mind.
The hybridization of these techniques allows me to teach a yoga adapted to people who wish to become adventurers of the inner world. It studies mindfulness inward for right actions outward, dispelling concepts to enter into a continuous sadhana and let oneself be carried by the flow.
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