Thirteen Types of Yoga, Including Our Two Favorites - Astanga Yoga and Power Yoga!
1. Ashtanga (or Astanga) Yoga - Our Favorite! This style is one of the most physically demanding because it involves synchronizing breathing with progressive and continuous series of postures.The result is improved circulation, flexibility, stamina, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. Ashtanga is an athletic yoga practice and is not for beginners.
2. Bikram Yoga - A comprehensive
workout that includes all the components of fitness: muscular strength, muscular
endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. This is the only yoga style that specializes in using
the heated environment.
3. Hatha - An easy-to-learn basic form of yoga that is the foundation of all Yoga
styles. It incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (regulated breathing),
meditation (Dharana & Dhyana) and kundalini (Laya Yoga) into a complete
system that can be used to achieve enlightenment or self-realization.
4. Integral Yoga: This traditional type of yoga combines
postures, breathing exercises, selfless service, meditation, chanting, prayer,
and self-inquiry.
5. Iyengar Yoga - Promotes strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance
through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment.
The poses are generally held longer than in other styles of yoga. One of the most popular types of yoga taught today.
6. Kali Ray TriYoga - A series of flowing, dancelike movements that
incorporates pranayama
(breathing exercises) and meditation.
7. Kundalini - Focuses on awakening the energy. In addition to postures, it also includes chanting, meditation, and breathing exercises.
8. Power Yoga - Our other favorite! The American
interpretation of ashtanga yoga, a discipline that combines stretching,
strength training, and meditative breathing, but takes ashtanga one
step further. Many of the poses resemble basic calisthenics -- push-ups and handstands, toe touches and
side bends -- but the key to power yoga's sweat-producing, muscle-building
power is the pace. Instead of pausing between poses as you would in traditional
yoga, each move flows into the next, making it an intense aerobic workout.
9.
Restorative Yoga - Features
long periods of time lying on blocks, blankets and yoga bolsters,
allowing muscles to relax.
10. Sivananda Yoga: Like Integral Yoga, this traditional type of
yoga combines postures, breathing, dietary restrictions, chanting, scriptural
study, and meditation.
11. Svaroopa Yoga - Easiest for beginners due to its approachable
style and comfortable positions.
12. Vinyasa: Focuses on coordination of breath and movement and
it is a very physically active form of yoga.
13. White Lotus Yoga: A modified Ashtanga practice developed by
Ganga White which is combined with breathwork and meditation.
*hugs*
8 comments:
Great post, Paige. I've tried yoga a few times, but have never stuck with it. I really need to start again, because it was something I enjoyed. :)
Stephanie - We love it! You definitely notice the difference!
*hugs*
Paige
An interesting post, Paige. Who knew there were so many different forms of yoga? Mine: Blooming Butterflies
I've done Bikram Yoga before and it's awesome. Using the heat to loosen up the muscles is fantastic.
Great post.
Heather - There are actually more than that, but I had to pick thirteen!
Jennifer - Thanks! We totally love yoga!
*hugs*
Paige
I like the relaxation & stress relief yoga! :)
I knew there was more than one type, but had no idea there were so many.
Brenda - Yoga's great for that!
Alice Audrey - Totally!
*hugs*
Paige
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