Vinyasa Krama Yoga

A Classical system...

I was already teaching yoga and pilates when I discovered traditional Vinyasa Krama Yoga.

I was enthralled by the sheer effectiveness of the system, which in many ways, was very different from the yoga I had been doing. The slow movement was as meditative as Tai Chi. The constant breath was both energizing and relaxing. Classes could be challenging, but somehow self-modifying for different ability levels.

My teacher, Srivatsa Ramaswami, labors to pass down the practice precisely as he learned it from his teacher, Sri T. Krishnamacharya, the father of modern yoga.

At first, in my personal practice, I would change aspects, either because my western anatomical training had deemed it unwise or simply because I couldn’t see why it was necessary.

These changes were always resulted in a less effective practice or, sometimes, even pain. When I went back to the original teaching, the problems would disappear.

I finally decided that my knowledge of anatomy was limited compared to the centuries of experience that went into creating this system, and I started to follow Ramaswami’s instructions as strictly as I was physically able.

Still, I wanted to know why, some methods, were effective, even though modern teachers would modify them for beginners.

I found the missing link at a fascia workshop called Anatomy Trains in Pilates. Fascia is the connective tissue that runs through the body. But it’s more than stuffing.

It’s a tensile force through which muscles can communicate directly with each other without going through the brain, creating strong, coordinated function.

The traditional yoga positions tap into this “tensile force” encouraging and teaching coordinated movement.

The science is new in the western world, just starting to gain wider acceptance. However, it was already inherent in the classical yoga taught by Krishnamacharya more than a century ago.

I went on to study extensively with Karin Locher, founder of the UK-based Spatial Medicine, learning ways to use the Anatomy Trains map of fascia to correct harmful movement patterns using pilates and general exercises. I also did the fascial dissection training directly with Tom Myers, who developed Anatomy Trains.

By layering that work onto the system I learned from years of study with Ramaswami and senior teacher, Pam Johnson, I’ve come up with new ways to cue and teach Vinyasa Krama effectively in my classes.

Certified in Vinyasa Krama yoga, my training with Ramaswami goes beyond asana to breathing and meditation for those seeking a more complete practice.