Types Of Yoga

Ashtanga & Power Yoga Power or Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic, aerobic type of Yoga. It is the brainchild of one K. Pattabhi Jois of Mysore, India. Oft publicized as a set of exercises that can change your life if you can survive it, it is also portrayed as yoga with a boot camp flavor. Actually, the term Ashtanga Yoga refers to the 8-fold path of Yoga laid down d by the sage Patanjali. K. Pattabhi Jois’ version of Ashtanga Yoga lays stress on a dynamic approach to the Yoga poses (asana) and breathing exercises (pranayama). Pattabhi Jois’ system of Yoga is also called Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga or as Power Yoga. At the heart of this practice are 6 increasingly difficult sets of linked postures. Each of them calls for anywhere between 90 minutes to 3 hours to complete. The arrangement of Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga entails going repeatedly through the whole gamut of poses. Some of them one may even find disconcerting or difficult. However, the sequence works like a combination lock, inasmuch as it done properly in the right order, the mind and the body automatically open up. Pattabhi Jois’ Ashtanga or Power Yoga consists of the primary series, also called yoga chikitsa (yoga therapy). It is designed to realign and detoxify the body, especially the spine. It also creates the basis for substantial strength, so vital to balancing out the very flexible students who are often attracted to Hatha Yoga practice. The intermediate series, Nadi Shodhana (cleansing of the Nadis or subtle channels within the system), cleanses and fortifies the nervous system as well as the subtle energy channels that connect the 7 chakras. The 4 advanced series (initially taught as two series, but subdivided to make them more accessible) are jointly called Sthira Bhaga (divine stability). These series take enhance the practitioner’s strength, flexibility, concentration, and energy flow developed in the first two series. A typical Ashtanga Yoga class starts with a Sanskrit prayer, after which, the instructor will remind you to use the 3 techniques central to Ashtanga Yoga, viz, Ujjayi (Ocean breathing), Mula Bandha, and a variation of Uddiyana Bandha. Bikram Yoga Bikram Yoga is named after its founder – Bikram Choudhury. He is said to have learnt Yoga with Yogacharya Bishnu Ghosh, whose brother Yogananda Paramahansa was a celebrated Yogi and author of the worldwide bestseller ‘Autobiography of a Yogi’. Bikram Yoga is also called Hot Yoga. Bikram Choudhury says that this technique is the only real Hatha Yoga practiced in the West. However, this is not recognized by many other schools of Yoga. Ideally, Bikram Yoga is a sequence of 26 poses done in a room heated to 90-100 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity levels are around 50%. Classes last approximately 90-minutes duration with students of all levels, ages and body types practicing together. Each Yoga Pose is normally done twice and retained for a certain length of time. Yoga Sessions begin with standing poses, followed by backward bends, forward bends, and then Twists. The postures are completed with a round of Kapalabhati Breath or the "breath of fire". A lot of folks feel discouraged from practicing Hot or Bikram Yoga because they are not flexible enough. However, Yoga is not about being flexible. It is about strengthening the body and your spine in all directions with the aim of developing harmony between the body, mind and spirit. All that matters is to try the right way without pushing oneself too far. Benefits of Bikram Yoga It is designed to "scientifically" tone up and stretch muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the right order that they should be. The practice of Bikram Yoga encourages natural release of toxins, body cleansing and utmost flexibility. Bikram Yoga is also known to bring down stress levels and enhance Blood Circulation. The protracted practice of this style of Yoga also help one lose weight and build up muscles. Anyone – even those suffering from chronic illnesses like diabetes, BP, arthritis, thyroid problems can practice and benefit from the practice of Bikram Yoga.