Vinyasa Krama

"Developing a yoga practice according to the ideas expressed in the Yoga Sutra is an action referred to as vinyasa krama. Krama is the step, nyasa means "to place," and the prefix vi- translates as "in a special way." The concept of vinyasa krama tells us that it is not enough to simply take a step; that step needs to take us in the right direction and be made in the right way."

"Vinyasa krama thus describes a correctly organized course of yoga practice. It is a fundamental concept in yoga having to do with constructing a gradual and intelligent course for our practice, and is important to employ irrespective of whether we are dealing with asana practice, pranayama, or some other aspect of yoga. We start our practice where we are and look toward a certain goal. Then we choose the steps that will lead us toward realizing that goal and will then gradually bring us back into our everyday life. But our daily practice does not return us to the exact place we started. The practice has changed us."

"A famous yogi of old named Vamana is reputed to have said that without vinyasa the asanas of yoga cannot be mastered. The concept of vinyasa krama is useful as a guide for carrying out not only our yoga practice but also all the tasks of our everyday life."

From "The Heart Of Yoga" by TKV Desikachar