Have you ever thought about the pace of your yoga practice? If not, you should. Yoga flow plays a huge role in deciding how effective your yoga session is going to be. The most common mistake beginner yoga practitioners make is they take a leap bigger than what they should take. So, to ensure you don’t go through the same, here’s what you should know about yoga flow.
What is Yoga Flow?
Yoga flow is commonly known as the speed or pace of practicing yoga poses. It further includes fast yoga styles (Vinyasa or Ashtanga Yoga) or slow yoga forms (Restorative or Yin yoga).
Moreover, it also considers the transition between various yoga poses during a yoga session. Choosing the wrong yoga flow could lead to injuries or various other shortcomings.
Difference Between Fast & Slow Yoga Flow
Pace
The greatest visible difference in both the yoga flows is their pace. Slow yoga flow used slower transitions from one pose to the other. In fast yoga flow, things are quite opposite to their slower counter part.
Intensity
Fast yoga flow is more intense than slow yoga flow. It is because of the faster pace as it utilizes more muscle and joints. Furthermore, slow flow uses singular muscle groups and has a calming effect on your body and mind.
Muscles Used
Faster flow engages more muscles to ensure your body is balanced while practicing yoga. More muscles used means more energy is utilized.
Things to Keep in Mind While Choosing a Yoga Flow
Your Goal
Choosing a yoga flow entirely depends on what your goal is. Do you want muscle maturity? Is muscle endurance your goal? Depending on all such factors, you should choose your yogic flow.
A faster yoga flow doesn’t leave much time on your hand. Thus, it works on your cardiovascular system and leaves you gasping for air. However, a slower yogic flow ensures you have plenty of time to focus on your targeted muscle or movement. You can always join various yoga studios in Rishikesh to learn more about yoga flow.
Body Limits
As a yoga practitioner, you should respect your body limits. That means you do not have to practice faster yogic flow if your body is not allowing it. Moreover, if you have any health condition that does not permit you to be out of breath, you should consider your choice.
Hence, your body limits are going to play a major role in the selection of any of the yoga flows. Some bodies are built differently. In that case, choosing a slow yogic flow is going to merit you more than the faster ones.
Injuries
Are you injured or recuperating from any injuries? If yes, slow yogic flow is going to be your best buddy. Practicing Restorative or Yin yoga enhances your recovery rate. Moreover, these yoga styles work on your deeper muscles for a better recovery rate.
Furthermore, slow yoga gives you enough time to focus on ligaments, muscle fibers, and connective tissues. It also helps you have a stronger connection with your body. Hence, your practice benefits you more than increasing your injuries.
Intensity
Are you into sports? If yes, a fast yogic flow will be quite helpful for you. Why? Because it has a higher intensity that’s gonna tone up your muscle and strengthen your bones. Furthermore, it will give you an upper hand to enhance your performance in sports.
However, if you want a stronger body from inside and a relaxing experience, slow yogic flow will help you the most. Moreover, the pace is different when you dive into the fight of RYT 200 vs RYT 500. Thus, have a deeper insight into both the yoga flows before choosing anyone.
Balanced Routine
To live a perfect life, you need a balanced approach to your yoga practice. That means, you can think about incorporating different yoga flows into your routine interchangeably. It will enhance your physical abilities along with boosting your mind.
Shifting between both the flows enriches your life and performance. Slow and fast pace has equal benefits. Therefore, practicing them will enhance your body and mind inside out.
Conclusion
The pace of a yoga practice is just a single element. It affects your yoga session and personal practice a lot. Thus, make sure you choose it wisely to get the most out of your practice.
