Must Know These 5 Pillars of Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga

 

A form of hot power yoga is Baptiste Power Vinyasa (BPV). Baron Baptiste, who developed it, claims that it is centered on asana (poses), meditation, and self-inquiry and is designed to be flexible to any degree of physical ability. Find out the principles of this type of yoga, its background, and locations where you may practice it.

Baptiste Yoga History

There probably isn't a stronger yoga lineage than the one Baron Baptiste claims. In 1952, Walt and Magana Baptiste founded San Francisco's first yoga studio. Baptiste became interested in the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and Bikram Choudhury early on.

By the middle of the 1990s, Baptiste had combined these ideas with those of Ashtanga and T.K.V. Desikachar (the creator of Viniyoga and the son of Krishnamacharya), creating his own brand of power yoga that also placed a strong emphasis on intuition. The fundamentals of Baptiste Power Vinyasa yoga combine elements from each of these forerunners.

 

Pillars of Baptiste Power Vinyasa

The ​ important aspects of the Baptiste method are summarized by the five pillars: breath, heat, flow, gaze, and core stabilization.

 

The first pillar of Baptiste yoga is DRISHTI

Sanskrit for sight is Drishti. Your balance may change depending on where your gaze rests. All of the outside distractions disappear when you are focused on where you are looking, making you impossible to miss. Set your sights on what you want to happen and work toward making it happen. The first step to making your future a reality is to visualize it in your mind's eye.

 

The second pillar of Baptiste yoga is UJJAYI

The Sanskrit word for breath is ujjayi. Many people have referred to it as ocean breath, triumphant breath, or even Darth Vader's breath (since that's what he sounds like when he breathes). You do that by breathing in through your nose and breathing out through it while slightly restricting the back of your throat. Your mind can relax as you concentrate on tuning into the sound of your own breathing with this audible breath. There is a nice video about ujjayi breathing by Yoga with Adrienne.

Fun fact: Ujjayi breathing raises nitric oxide levels in your sinuses and nose. The nasal cavity will be less inflamed if your nitric oxide levels are higher. The result is a reduction in headaches, allergies, and colds. Humming is another way to raise the amount of nitric oxide in your sinuses!

 

The third pillar of Baptiste yoga is BANDHAS

Sanskrit for bodily locks is bandhas. Body locks are the parts of the body that can be pulled in or hugged to activate the muscles. This is frequently referred to as "Core, Hands, and Feet" in Baptiste Yoga.

A bandhas:

Hasta Bandha, a contraction of the hands that causes the body to receive energy,

Pada Bandha, a foot contraction that draws energy up into the body,

Mula Bandha, which causes the perineum to contract and resembles blocking the passage of urine

Uddiyana bandha, or dragging the belly button into the spine, is a contraction of the abdomen into the rib cage.

The Jalandhara Bandha, or chin-to-chest position, lengthens the back of the neck.

 

The fourth pillar of Baptiste yoga is TAPAS

Tapas is derived from the root Sanskrit verb 'tap' which means 'to burn'. Baptiste Yoga is practiced in a heated room (90F/32.2C) to bring about tapas. The heat helps to melt away layers of resistance and get you out of your comfort zone. As your sweat becomes something you notice, the opportunity arises to use it as a way to stay centered and present in the moment. The skills you cultivate in your yoga practice help you to stay patient and present when your life heats up off the mat.

  

The fifth pillar of Baptiste yoga is VINYASA

Vinyasa is made up of the prefix vi, which means "in a certain way," and the Sanskrit word Nyasa, which means "to the position." Vinyasa is frequently used as a colloquial term to describe changing between the following poses: Chaturanga is followed by an upward dog and then a downward dog. As we walk through the Journey Into Power sequence on our mats, we also move through a vinyasa flow. From one pose to the next, we flow (vinyasa) while being conscious of building the physical base of the stance.

When all of these pillars are combined, Baptiste Yoga begins a transformation of the mind, body, and spirit - all within the space of one small yoga mat. Sight clears, breath calms, energy is cultivated, the fire cleanses and the vinyasa washes it all way presenting us with the opportunity for birth, death, and rebirth each time we step onto our mats.

Where to Practice

In San Francisco, California, and Boston, Massachusetts, there are two authorized Baptiste Yoga studios. However, related studios can be found all across the United States. Independent studios that teach his methodology can join Baptiste's very flexible scheme and become partner studios.

It's possible that your local hot yoga studio offers BPV instruction. Find a Baptiste studio near you by visiting their website. Baptiste has published numerous books, including "Journey Into Power," "Being of Power," and the children's book "My Daddy is a Pretzel." She is also active on the circuit of yoga festivals and conferences and frequently appears in Yoga Journal.

 

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