Is it normal for teachers to have a loose interpretation of “vinyasa”?

This is Ashtanga Yoga Tech Support. Real questions from the yoga community, answered.

The Question

Hi all! I’ve been practicing in studios for about five years now, roughly three times a week, normally sticking to vinyasa and yin. I’ve always seen vinyasa as being a flowy class. Obviously, each instructor has their own methods. I absolutely have my favorite teachers, but have also tried making a point to not shy away from substitutes, new teachers, and the unfamiliar. I’ve had two classes recently that have sort of been, well — more choppy and less flowy. One I later learned was more of an Ashtanga class. The one I had tonight which prompted this post was more focused on handstands. Both were labeled as “vinyasa”. Is this normal? Are teachers more loose with vinyasa classes these days, or did I just have weird circumstances strike twice? For the record, I do embrace learning about other styles, but also feel like I really could have used a flowy class tonight and left disappointed.

— via r/yoga

Our Response

Yeah, this is normal.

And it's a problem.

Vinyasa means linking breath and movement. That's it. It doesn't mean flowy. It doesn't mean creative sequencing. It doesn't mean handstands.

Studios slap "vinyasa" on everything now because the word sells. It's become meaningless.

Ashtanga is vinyasa. It's the original vinyasa, actually. But it's structured. Same poses, same order. So yeah — it's not going to feel like what you're used to.

Here's what you do: ask the studio what they mean by vinyasa. Before you book. "Is this a set sequence or a creative flow?" "Is this skills-focused or continuous movement?"

Good studios will tell you. Vague studios won't.

And if a class is labeled wrong twice, that's not bad luck. That's bad communication.

You're allowed to want what you want. Don't apologize for that.