What is Flow Yoga?
Flow yoga, also known as Vinyasa, is a form of yoga which follows a series of poses (known as asanas) joined together to create a smooth pattern called a flow. Each position held by the body is joined through rhythmic breathing. Altogether, flow yoga creates strength and energy in the body. This form of yoga is very popular in Western culture. Today, many eating disorder residential programs, drug rehab facilities, and trauma treatment centers offer flow yoga as a part of their program.
Yoga is considered a type of exercise. In fact, flow yoga offers a wide variety of benefits including higher levels of strength, increased self-esteem, and a greater range of flexibility. It can be performed by many different people, whether they may be new to yoga or very experienced. Flow yoga can reach a very large audience; this may be one reason why it is often offered as a part of pain and trauma recovery, eating disorder treatment, and drug rehab. Flow yoga is a style of the yoga type hatha. Hatha yoga is used to strengthen the body, stretch the muscles, and provide overall health to the inner body and mind.
Practice of Flow Yoga
Flow yoga is performed best when proper breathing is incorporated. Deep breathing provides great relaxation and creates a great deal of the “flow” associated with flow yoga. Flow yoga has been known to be used in many different bulimia centers, anorexia treatment facilities, and binge eating programs.
20 Types of Yoga Asanas
- Wind pose
- Reclining bridge
- Full lotus
- Rabbit
- Dancer pose
- Peacock
- Stretch pose
- Wheel
- Half-spinal twist
- Cobra
- Archer pose
- Headstand
- Resolved triangle
- Eagle pose
- Half moon
- Reed pose
- Sitting forward bend
- Extended prayer twist
- Child pose
- Open angle
A yoga asana is a type of position. This position may be held for seconds or minutes at a time, depending on the yoga form. Together, asanas make up what is called a yoga flow.
Benefits of Flow Yoga
Specific emotional and physical benefits of flow yoga include:
- Improved flexibility
- Reduced physical pain
- High self-esteem
- Healthier organs
- Better coordination
- Stress reduction
- Relaxation
- Improved blood flow
- Greater strength
- Reduced chance of injury and re-injury
- Body awareness
- Increase in endurance
- Weight loss
- Lowered anxiety
- Improved sleep quality
As these benefits clearly state, flow yoga can provide many positive changes in a person. For someone with a drug or alcohol addiction, healthier organs and lowered anxiety may be especially helpful. Someone suffering from a traumatic experience may benefit from stress reduction and body awareness. A person experiencing pain may appreciate the reduced chance of injury and re-injury or lowered physical pain. Lastly, those with eating disorders will most certainly benefit from higher self-esteem and greater strength. Many drug and alcohol rehab centers, trauma recovery centers, pain programs, and eating disorder treatment centers offer flow yoga because of these very reasons. Call a treatment center today for help.
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