"By integrating the functions of mind, body, and breath in the same time frame, a practitioner will experience the real joy of yoga practice...The mind closely follows the slow, smooth, deliberate ujjayi yogic breathing; and the yoking of mind and body takes place with the breath acting as the harness.''
~Srivatsa Ramaswami, 'The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga'

In Sanskrit, Vinyasa Krama means 'movement and sequence methodology' in yoga. As Ramaswami describes it, it is 'a systematic method to study, practice, teach and adapt yoga'. Note my emphasis on the word 'systematic'. As in many aspects of life, in order to benefit from Yoga, you need to study this art diligently, with the eye on the continuous long term physical, emotional, mental and spiritual growth.  

Vinyasa Krama encompasses the broadest definition of yoga - union (yukti in Sanskrit) and mental peace (samadhana) - by integrating mind with breath, causing the former to become part of the whole process and thereby creating an elevated level of mental peace.  

Vinyasa Krama highlights:

  • Emphasis on stability and comfort in any asana (pose)
  • Slow, soft and smooth ujjayi breathing 
  • Breath-movement synchronization
  • Hundreds of asanas tweaked to practitioner's individual needs
  • Arrangement of asanas in specific sequences (vinyasas)
  • Preparatory asanas before major asanas (e.g., desk pose before shoulderstand; shoulderstand before headstand)
  • Counterposes to remove asana side effects while keeping their value
  • Pranayama (breath control) exercises following asana practice to prepare the mind for meditation
  • Smooth progression in asana and pranayama difficulty level
In his "Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga", Ramaswami compiled a large number of asanas based on his studies of 33 years with Krishnamacharya, organized them into major vinyasas and ranked each asana by the level of difficulty to enable a student to practice safely at home. 

During my sessions, you will learn a great number of these vinyasas tailored to your needs. I will place strong emphasis on your breath and breath-movement synchronization, two pillars of Vinyasa Krama.

For more information on Vinyasa Krama, visit my teacher's site. You can learn more about yoga here.
 
What Ramaswami (above) says about his guru, Sri T. Krishnamacharya (below):

"It was a great opportunity to study under such a rare soul - he had a hard exterior, but like the South Indian tender coconut, was all sweetness and nourishment inside."