Vinyasa Vs. Power Vinyasa

 What IS the difference?

Nearly everyone who has ever been to a yoga studio in the United States has probably wondered, or flat out asked, “what is the difference between a Vinyasa class and a Power Vinyasa class?”  GREAT QUESTION.

 

History

Vinyasa, first of all, is a generic term.  In Sanskrit, Vinyasa means “to place in a special way.” We use it to refer to yoga that links breath to movement in a flowing sequence. Vinyasa classes are derived from Sri K. Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga Yoga, which he officially established in India in 1948 after having been a student of “the Father of Modern Yoga”, T. Krishnamacharya.  Power Vinyasa, however, is much newer….and much more American. Power Vinyasa was developed simultaneously in the 1980s by Bryan Kest in Los Angeles and Beryl Bender Birch in New York. Shortly thereafter, Baron Baptiste (a student of Pattabhi Jois, Bikram, and B.K.S. Iyengar) created his own version and brand with Baptiste Power Vinyasa, and took over as the dominate name in Power Vinyasa.

 

In short, Vinyasa was created in India; Power Vinyasa was created in the United States.

What this means for your practice: virtually nothing. You now just know more!

 

Similarities and Differences

The biggest similarity between Vinyasa and Power Vinyasa classes, is that both are flow-based breath to movement. Conversely, the greatest difference is that building flexibility is the focus of Vinyasa classes while building strength is the primary focus of Power Vinyasa.  

POWER VINYASA BOTH VINYASA
More specific term Linking breath with movement (i.e. flow) Generic term
Typically heated Include Sun Salutations in the beginning May or may not be heated
Includes a core series Derived from Ashtanga May or may not include a core series
Focus on strength-building Fast-paced (compared to Iyengar, for example) Focus on fluidity
Designed for getting/staying in shape May have a base sequence (e.g. Baptiste Power Vinyasa, Ashtanga) Designed for flexibility
More vigorous and will increase heart rate Can vary widely Can span from light in nature to vigorous
Typically includes longer holds of some poses Typically maintains a flow without many long holds
Typically places focus on the physical; less meditative

 

Stepping into a Power Vinyasa class and a Vinyasa class will feel similar.

What this means for your practice: You can get out of your head and quit wondering about the difference! They’re very similar…now let it go.

Beware

 It is special that Power Vinyasa was developed here and specifically targets American bodies and minds. However, that is not without its pitfalls and can come at a cost. It’s all too easy for Americans to become obsessed with Power Vinyasa: to make it competitive, to make it solely about muscle strength, and to reject the nuances that yoga aspires to teach. In fact, Pattabhi Jois publicly criticized Power Vinyasa as, “ignorant bodybuilding.” Ouch.

WHAT POWER VINYASA SHOULD BE WHAT POWER VINYASA SHOULD NOT BE
Alignment-focused Ass-kicking…and only ass-kicking...for the sole sake of ass-kicking
Typically heated Only standing poses
Derivative of Ashtanga Shouting match between your instructor and his/her music
Includes standing, core, and floor work Savasana-less (general rule: savasana should last at least 10% of the practice; so, a 60 min. class should have a 6 min. savasana)
Vigorous/challenging Traditional
Includes a strong savasana (No skimping!) Competitive
Just “muscling through”
Focused solely on physical strength

In short: Power is not synonymous with absence of grace. Power Vinyasa should include both.

What this means for your practice: be mindful of creating equilibrium in any yoga practice.


The End of the Story

Really, Vinyasa and Power Vinyasa classes are quite similar with the primary difference being the intent of the practice. The key for all of us who practice is to remember that our practice isn’t about the name of the class, it’s definitely not about the instructor, and it’s not even about the poses or how they’re linked together. The practice is about us.

It is about the body that we bring to the mat each time we step onto it and how we choose to speak to it.  The beauty of any kind of Vinyasa class–Power or otherwise–is that Vinyasa students should cater each part of class, each pose, to their own bodies that day.  Vinyasa doesn’t require that everyone look the same, and no matter what kind of yoga we practice, that’s something we can all celebrate.


Article written by Meraki teacher Erin Hoffman Austin

Join Erin on Thursdays at 5.45pm for Vinyasa 1