"Vinyasa" is derived from the Sanskrit term nyasa, which means "to place," and the prefix vi, "in a special way".  Thus, vinyasa yoga is consciousness in motion.  It teaches us to cultivate the awareness that each breath is connected to the pose and links the next action (or non-action) to the next moment.  We want to align and initiate every action we take from our breath - our prana, or life force - and as we do this, we restore the mind/body connection, we begin to open up to the natural flow of prana, the energy that sustains us on a cellular level, throughout our lives.  

​

The lessons we learn on the mat, we take with us into our lives, bringing more kindness, understanding, and compassion to ourselves and those around us.