What's up with all the vinyasas?

Plank, chaturanga, updog. Over and over and over again. Why do we do so many vinyasas?

Vinyasa from Sanskrit breaks down to nyasa "to place" and vi "in a special way"

Vinyasa is also a term used to define dynamic flowing styles of yoga.

Use as a noun. As in, "Come through vinyasa." the term refers to a series of three poses, plank, chaturanga, and updog, used in sequence between forward fold and down dog. Most often done as part of a sun salutation. (Surya Namaskara).

A popular dynamic style of yoga is known as vinyasa flow. This style can be challenging, the classes are usually fast paced and include a lot of, well, vinyasas. Often synonymous with a puddle-of-sweat type yoga.

If we take a look at the translation from Sanskrit, "to place in a special way", that denotes, at least to me,  a slower pace with acute attention to breath and movement.

Why do we do so many? Well, they link movement of the body to the breath, creating a moving meditation. They create heat in the body, keeping it warm so we can stretch and hold asana longer. They help to refocus the breath after holding a pose, keeping the attention drawn inward.

Think about it, what a way to proceed through life, where everything, every thought, every motion is given the attention that it deserves.

Maybe not always, but sometimes,  it's OK to slow down. Pay attention. Focus awareness slowly and hold it a split second longer. Make sure that thing, that foot, that breath, that coffee cup, is placed in a special way. Relish it, live it, love it, even when there is a puddle of sweat.