Four classes, one practice

Through gradual and conscious practice, the practitioner cultivates a deeper relationship with the body, the breath and the mind.

The practice requires no previous experience or particular level of fitness. Each person approaches the postures according to their own abilities and needs, respecting the limits of the body. More important than achieving a posture is cultivating a steady, calm and conscious breath.

The word Aṣṭāṅga is made up of two Sanskrit words: aṣṭa, meaning “eight”, and aṅga, meaning “limb” or “dimension”. It therefore refers to the eight limbs of Yoga, which together form a complete and holistic system:

1. 1Yama: outer observances
2. 2Niyama: inner observances
3. 3Āsana: posture
4. 4Prāṇāyāma: conscious regulation of the breath
5. 5Pratyāhāra: withdrawal of the senses
6. 6Dhāraṇā: concentration
7. 7Dhyāna: meditation
8. 8Samādhi: union with the True Self

The three key elements of the practice

Although the system includes a set sequence of postures, the practice is always adapted to the body and the needs of each person. Each practitioner is invited to move with respect for their own limits, without pressure or comparison.

More important than forcing a posture is cultivating a deeper and steadier breath, as well as a clear and conscious relationship with the body.

Vinyāsa Krama Yoga is a traditional and systematic approach to the study, practice and teaching of Yoga. The word vinyāsa refers to conscious placement and linking, while the word krama means “step”, “sequence” or “gradual progression”.

The method is based on approaching the postures (āsana) gradually through different variations and movements. Each variation is linked to the next through specific, smooth transitions, which are made in coordination with the breath.

In this way, body and mind stay in constant contact, while the breath acts as the link between movement and inner awareness. The slow, smooth and conscious Ujjāyī breath helps the practitioner stay present and approach each posture with more attention and calm.

An important element of Vinyāsa Krama is that the practice is not limited to achieving a final form. Each posture can be approached through a series of preparatory movements and variations, allowing the practitioner to progress gradually and with respect for the abilities of their body.

The practice can therefore be adapted to different levels of experience, ages and physical needs. The emphasis is on the quality of movement, the steadiness of the breath and the conscious participation of the whole person: body, breath and mind.

The Vinyāsa Krama tradition

I had the special honour of studying and learning Vinyāsa Krama directly from Śrīvatsa Rāmasvāmi, in Chennai, India, in February 2020, as part of an intensive three-week training programme.

Śrīvatsa Rāmasvāmi was a student of T. Kṛṣṇamācārya for more than 33 years and is considered one of the most important bearers of this tradition. His deep knowledge, combined with his simplicity, clarity and distinctive humour, shapes a unique and meaningful approach to teaching Yoga.

Vinyāsa Krama offers a path of gradual practice and deepening, in which every movement is made with awareness and every breath creates space for more connection, balance and inner presence.

In our everyday lives, most activities demand effort, activation and constant action. This is necessary in many aspects of our lives. In Yin Yoga, however, we are invited to move in the opposite direction: to reduce effort, to gradually relax the body and to allow ourselves to remain present in the moment.

The postures are held for a longer time and approached in a gentle and supportive way. The practice mainly targets the deeper connective tissues of the body, such as the fascia, ligaments, tendons and joints. By staying in the postures, the body has time to observe and respond without hurry or pressure.

Yin Yoga is a deeply meditative practice. Attention turns to the breath and to bodily sensations, while space is created to observe emotions and thoughts. We do not need to change or push away whatever arises. We simply learn to recognise it and to stay with it with more calm and awareness.

The practice can support relaxation and encourage the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which is associated with rest, recovery and healthy digestion. The breath and steady stillness in the postures create the conditions for a quieter, more inward experience.

Props and modifications are used in class where needed, so that each posture can be approached safely and comfortably. The aim is not to reach a particular shape or to push the body, but to find a position where we can stay with steadiness, calm and conscious breath.

The approach of the class

Having studied with Sarah Powers and Ty Powers, Konstantinos brings into the practice visualisations, specific breathing patterns and energy techniques, drawing on the traditions of Buddhism, Taoism and Yoga.

In this way, the class combines physical practice with inner observation and offers a space for deeper relaxation, connection and presence.

Yin Yoga is an invitation to slow down, to listen to the body and to allow ourselves to stay for a while without the need to do more.

Core Strength is a strengthening class focused on the abdominal area and the muscles of the core. The practice is inspired by the principles of Pilates and combines conscious breathing, precise movement and gradual activation of the abdominals, the lower back, the back and the stabilising muscles of the body.

In my twenty years of experience, I have seen how important strengthening the abdominal area and the core is for everyday movement, good posture and the prevention of lower back and back discomfort. That is why I decided to create this class: to offer a safe and meaningful way to build strength from the centre of our body.

Through controlled exercises and modifications according to the needs and level of each participant, we cultivate stability, balance, flexibility and a better connection with the body. It is a class that ideally complements yoga practice and helps the body feel stronger, supported and functional.