Yoga Information

Which Type of Yoga is the Right Choice for You?


You finally made the decision to practice yoga, but which style of yoga is the best one for you? There are many types of yoga, and while they usually have common elements, their focus is often quite different. If you have not been physically active in a long time, then one of the more gentle, slower moving styles may be right for you. If you are an athlete or are very physically fit, you might want to check out some of the more strenuous forms.

The following is a list of the more common yoga classes that you will find.

Hatha Yoga
Almost every style of yoga practiced in the west is some form of Hatha Yoga. It includes asanas, breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation. Each of the individual forms of yoga has a different emphasis, but classes usually include some combination of these elements.

Ashtanga
This is a very fast paced, intense style of yoga. It follows a series of postures, which are always done in the same order and are connected with the breath. Each posture flows directly into the next one, so it is a very demanding practice. Ashtanga can be a good choice for physically fit individuals who like a challenge.

Iyengar
This type of yoga, which was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, is focused on proper body alignment. Poses are held for long periods of time and the movement from one posture to another is slower than some other styles. Props are often used to help maintain proper alignment, so Iyengar can be a good choice for those who have physical limitations. Since it focuses so much on correct body alignment, it is also a good starting point for beginners before they move into faster paced styles.

Bikram
This style of yoga was created by Bikram Choudhury and is also known as 'hot yoga.' Classes are held in rooms heated up to 100 degrees in order to allow your body to stretch without injury and release toxins. Practitioners move through a series of twenty-six postures, with each one being held for a period of time. This is a strenuous style and should be avoided by people with certain health conditions unless they get clearance from their medical professional.

Power Yoga
This is an intense workout that is a hybrid of Ashtanga, because the postures do not necessarily follow a particular sequence every time. Asanas move from one to another and they require a great deal of strength and stamina. Power yoga is best suited for athletic, well-conditioned individuals. It is my favorite type of yoga, and even though I am in excellent physical shape, I find it very challenging.

Kundalini
This type of yoga combines postures with specific breathing. Its purpose is to release the Kundalini energy that is housed at the base of the spine and allow it to move upward. Its ultimate goal is spiritual enlightenment.

Kripalu
This style of yoga is meditation in motion. Its goal is for the individual to gain a deeper inner awareness and to nurture a relationship with his or her body. Classes include gentle yoga postures with coordinated breathing and an emphasis on alignment. They also include an extended period of meditation and relaxation.

Integral
Created by Sri Swami Satchidananda, this type of yoga is very gentle. Classes have a greater emphasis on the meditative rather than the physical aspects of yoga. Integral Yoga is included in Dr. Dean Ornish's program, which has been shown to reverse heart disease.

Viniyoga
This style was created by T.K.V. Desikachar and is a therapeutic approach to yoga. It focuses on breathing in conjunction with movement. Viniyoga encourages modified postures to meet an individual's specific needs and abilities. It would be a valuable style for someone who is dealing with an injury or other physical restriction.

Once you've chosen a specific type of yoga, it doesn't mean you have to stay with it forever. You can choose to focus on another style for a while or mix several different types depending on how your mind and body feel. Whichever type you choose, the most important thing is to continue doing it on a regular basis so you can enjoy the rewards that yoga brings.

Della Menechella is a yoga and fitness enthusiast who has been involved in fitness for over thirty years. Her website http://www.beauty-fitness-yoga-source.com/ is filled with practical information about how you can make yoga and fitness a positive part of your life. Visit the site and get your free meditation e-book.


MORE RESOURCES:

Gaga over yoga
Calgary Herald,  Canada - 3 hours ago
Not that an activity that is this much in vogue needs me to defend it, but I've actually heard people slagging yoga. There is no shortage of Garfield types ...


Johnson turns to yoga
The Press Association - 19 minutes ago
Manchester City midfielder Michael Johnson is having yoga sessions in a bid to cure his nagging pelvic problems. Johnson, who signed a new five-year ...


From Tennis Court to Yoga Mat: Making Peace With Our Limits
Washington Post, United States - 9 hours ago
Why not try yoga? my doctor, my mother and a host of well-meaning acquaintances suggested. "Well, maybe," I said, again and again. I've never been known for ...


Stressed out execs seek relief in Yoga
Economic Times, India - 21 hours ago
Corporates too are becoming proactive and invite yoga consultants to hold workshops and classes in offices. “Such activities help build a good working ...


Indian CEOs immerse themselves in yoga to relive stress
Hindu, India - Oct 11, 2008
New Delhi (PTI): Facing the heat of the global financial crisis, Indian CEOs have taken to yoga to beat the stress and restlessness, says a survey. ...


Can a first-date yoga class fan the flames of romance?
Boston Globe, United States - Oct 11, 2008
We agreed to meet up for power yoga at Inner Strength studios in Watertown on a Tuesday night. The sports-themed first date has its place, of course (the ...


Stressed Indian CEOs fall for yoga, ayurveda
Commodity Online, India - 1 hour ago
They are ayurvedic treatment centres and yoga classes. If a survey conducted by ASSOCHAM is any indication, Indian CEOs — reeling under severe pressure to ...
Yoga, gym to de-stress Indian CEOs Khabrein.info
all 2 news articles


Center helps families bond through yoga
The Hour (subscription), CT - 5 hours ago
BY LAURIE LAWLESS Growing Tree Yoga in Norwalk offers new ways for mothers to bond with their children. Different yoga classes that include sports, ...


Yoga vs. Pilates -– what’s the difference?
Fort Worth Star Telegram, TX - 4 hours ago
Pilates is more than just movements on a mat, and yoga is far more than stretching. Both are considered mind-body exercises because they require those who ...


Napa Valley Register

Open for business: Bikram Yoga Napa Valley
Napa Valley Register, CA - 19 hours ago
By JENNIFER HUFFMAN The practice of yoga may be 5000 years old, but Napa’s first Bikram Yoga studio is brand new. Studio owner Sylvana Carrara moved to Napa ...

Yoga - Google News

home | site map
© 2006