All the organs in the human body including the bones and joints of every person, generally work in the same way. That is why yoga classes are open to all. However, there are certain factors that define the specific characteristics of each person. Due to these differences, people are normally quite good at certain things and not so good in others. This is the basis of Viniyoga.
A Viniyoga teacher is different from other yoga tutors in that he or she has a special understanding of the operations of the human body and how each person’s physique can be adapted to yoga. A Viniyoga teacher must be an expert in biomechanics, bodily anomalies, movement patterns of the joints, misalignments, and chronic stress.
Therefore, Viniyoga can be defined as the type of yoga that appreciates personal desires and capacities during exercise. This can be physical, psycho-spiritual, and mental capabilities. This means that Viniyoga is a very adaptable type of yoga.
One of the key parts of Viniyoga is the combination of breathing and spine movements. The tutor must understand how to lead the learners through the process of inhaling and releasing the air in consideration of the abdominal and spine movements. In short, Viniyoga trains practitioners on how to balance the movement of the abdominal muscles, spine, and management of breathing during exercise. There are many ways through which Viniyoga can be adapted to various situations and individuals. Here are a few examples.
Gentle Class Level
As the name suggests, this stage is accommodative to individuals. Practitioners are led through poses that help them to relax, meditate, and learn breath control. This helps a person calm the mind and nourish their spirit. Anyone can start at this level.
Beginners’ Level
This is a level where every individual is introduced to yoga. As mentioned earlier, although they learn the basics of yoga, everyone starts at the level they are at. It is the teacher who meets the individual and helps him or her to grow. By going through this class, an individual can gain confidence in approaching other advanced levels of yoga.
Moderate Yoga
After attending the beginners class, most people will doubt desire to advance. The next stage is the moderate level. Here, practitioners are taught new poses and skills, and the classes are more advanced. This is also a class that can accommodate literally anyone who desires to grow in yoga.
The Vigorous Level
This is a level for those who are willing to take up bigger challenges. The exercises here are more vigorous, and they require greater endurance, flexibility, and strength.
Although the founder of Viniyoga never gave it a specific title, creating an individualized approach to yoga was the key goal. Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, the founder, was convinced that the practice of yoga should embrace individuality and each person’s situation at any given time. In recent years, the practice of Viniyoga has been found to have therapeutic benefits for practitioners. According to the Archives of Internal Medicine, Viniyoga can help reduce back pain when practiced on a regular basis.
