Hatha yoga vs Vinyasa

What is the difference between Hatha and Vinyasa yoga?

There are many types of yoga that are practised around the world, two of the most popular in today’s society are Hatha and Vinyasa.  We personally enjoy our Vinyasa flow practises, but equally enjoy a more relaxed Hatha practose. Both are forms of yoga that can help you relax and improve your overall well-being, strength and flexibility. However, they are still different from each other in terms of intensity of practice and flow. They share many of the same poses, but the pace and the transitions are where they differ. Hatha yoga focuses on a slower pace, featuring controlled movements and stretches. Whilst vinyasa yoga is a faster-paced version that focuses on how the asanas (poses) flow between each other, together with the breath. 

Hatha Yoga

Hatha is the over arching term for all yoga taught in the West, however it has taken to be see as a branch of its own. Beginners often find Hatha yoga easier to adapt to as it is slow and less intense. During the practice, poses are held for multiple breaths and are aimed to help you concentrate and open your ‘Nadis’ (pathways for prana to flow). It may seem gentle compared to Vinyasa, but it works wonderfully to align your musculoskeletal structure and balance your energies.

Its key traits include-

• Holding postures whilst balancing with the breath.
• Practising at a slower pace.
• Focussing on individual postures rather than the sequence and linking between the postures.
• Utilising time and space to focus on the correct alignment of every pose.

Benefits of Hatha yoga

• Flexibility
• Strength
• Balance
• Mindfulness

Vinyasa Yoga

This form of yoga is much more demanding both physically and mentally than Hatha yoga. Here the poses change quickly, and you must be aware of the asanas to keep up with the pace. This form increases the blood flow and makes the cardiovascular system work effectively to generate heat. Vinyasa is considered more intense and powerful and serves as an excellent cleanser for your internal body.

Its key traits include-

• Incorporates dynamic movements between poses (flow)
• Uses sun salutations as a driving force between the structures.
• Focuses on transitions between different postures.
• Focuses on physical fitness

Benefits of Vinyasa Yoga

• It can help you build strength.
• Improves flexibility.
• Great as a cardio exercise.
• Full body workout
• Increased mobility

Should you try Vinyasa or Hatha Yoga?

Yoga is undoubtedly good for health, and both these forms are great to explore. It improves flexibility and enhances digestion and overall well-being with regular practice. 

Hatha yoga can help you build lean muscles and burn fat. Vinyasa yoga, on the other hand, helps tone up and burn many calories during every session. Both these forms help you achieve a fit and healthy body. As Vinyasa requires a high level of flexibility and experience, you can initially start with Hatha yoga and then, as you increase your flexibility, you can eventually choose Vinyasa. In essence, keeping up with both these styles can help you grow in the best ways.