Among the diverse modern styles of yoga asana, slow flow yoga is the most prevalent in the westernized world. Its practice evolved out of the ancient Viniyoga and was rediscovered in the 20th century by Tirumalai Krishnamacharaya. As compared to other flowing styles of yoga such as Power and Ashtanga yoga, it contains fewer postures, which gives practitioners more room to discover sensation and alignment. In our class of Slow Flow Yoga in Adelaide, we emphasise smooth transition, and it is an ideal choice for both beginners and seasoned yogis.
Why Should You Choose Slow Flow Yoga?
The benefits of slow flow yoga are similar to many other, more vigorous forms of yoga, but some of them are unique. Here are some of the most relevant:
More Activation
When we move, we all have often questioned ourselves: What’s driving this movement? Is it momentum, gravity, or leverage? In general, when we move quickly, these factors tend to take the lead rather than our muscles. Slowing down removes these passive forces, pushing us to rely on our strength to initiate movement. Slow flow Yoga helps activate more muscle fibers, leading to better strength adaptations once our practice is done.
More Skill
We get better at what we practice. If we rush through a push-up sloppily, we’ll only become proficient at sloppy, rushed push-ups. Slowing down allows our brain to break down movements into smaller, precise components, giving us time to practice with accuracy. Over time, our Adelaide slow flow yoga classes help to build up skill, making movements feel easier. Once we’ve mastered precision, we can start increasing speed, but only if we can maintain that hard-earned precision.
More Control
It’s impossible to move slowly without control, but you can certainly move quickly without it. Quick movements often rely on momentum, not control. Controlled movements are safer. Injuries often occur when we move into ranges of motion that we can’t fully control. Slow movements of this yoga type help us stay within controllable ranges, building more control over time. As we gain control, we can improve mobility and flexibility and eventually safely add speed to our practice.
Basic Slow Flow Yoga Poses
If you’re wondering to join Slow Flow Yoga Classes in Adelaide, following is an overview of key poses that you’ll practice on a scheduled day:
- Child’s Pose (Balasana): A restful pose that allows you to stretch your back and hips while relaxing your mind. It’s often used as a break during more intense phases.
- Seated Side Bend (Parsva Sukhasana): This pose targets your side body and helps open up your airways. It’s great for stretching and lengthening your sides.
- Cat-Cow Pose (Marjariasana and Bitilasana): This posture helps to increase flexibility and warms up the backbone through a flowing movement between two poses.
- Downward Dog (Adho Mukha Svanasana): It is a foundational pose that helps in stretching your entire body, focusing on your hamstrings, shoulders, and back. It’s ideal for building strength and flexibility.
How to Improve Your Slow Flow Yoga Practice?
Once you’ve settled into the rhythm of your slow flow yoga practice, you may want to add a little bit more challenge—or not, and that is great! Here are some strategies to take your practice to another level:
- Raise Duration: To intensify your practice, extend the time you hold each pose. If you usually hold for 30 seconds, try stretching it to 40 or 45 seconds. You don’t need to go as long as in yin yoga, but every extra second adds up.
- Tune into Your Biomechanics: If you enjoy understanding the mechanics of your body, pay close attention to your instructor’s cues and how they align with your muscle engagement. This awareness can improve your understanding of each pose. Bonus points if you study more about biomechanics outside of class.
- Try Out Advanced Modifications: Add more challenging versions of poses for short bursts—15 seconds or more. This way, you get to practice new skills without rushing through your entire sequence.
Look for Advanced Classes: For better results, search for the best slow flow yoga classes in Adelaide. These sessions often include more complicated balancing and transitions. Ask our instructor about Slow Flow classes with intermediate or advanced difficulty levels.