| Viniyoga Approach to Yoga Using a viniyoga approach, yoga practices are adapted to serve our individual needs, respecting our situation in terms of our bodies, climate, culture, and what is going on in the world around us. The term viniyoga means just that, adapting practice appropriately for the individual practitioner. Yoga practice can be adapted in numerous ways. With asana, postures can be altered to ensure we receive their positive effects and to decrease the risk of injuries. Postures can be modified to enhance energetic effects or to reduce muscle tension in specific bodily locations. Often we will use repetition in and out of the posture to prepare the body for the deeper work of staying in a posture. Classes are sequenced to respect the overall climate (time of day, season, worldly events), to build an energetic effect, and to help prepare the body prepare for subsequent postures. The breath serves as a link between the mind and the body. Focusing on the breath and the movement of the spine is an important element of practice. Each movement into and out of a posture is done on a specific part of the breath. The breath facilitates the movement of the body and can serve as a guide by giving you feedback on your level of steadiness and ease in each posture. Breath awareness helps build concentration and awareness while deepening the practice of yoga in countless ways. Melissa Campagnolo practices, studies and teaches yoga using viniyoga methodology in Toronto. The emphasis of this approach is creating yoga practices that suit the individual. Classes are sequenced and adaptations are given to respect the student's starting point as well as general conditions that affect us all. Melissa has been studying yoga for thirteen years and teaching the last eleven. She is a Registered Yoga Teacher through the Yoga Alliance and is certified by the American Viniyoga Institute. Melissa studies yoga with Gary Kraftsow (author of Yoga for Wellness and Yoga for Transformation) and with Rosemary Jeanes Antze, both of whom are longtime students of TKV Desikachar. |