| Traditional yoga styles like Ashtanga, Lyengar and | | | | blocks, etc. is Iyengar Yoga, which puts so much |
| Shivananda are already known to regular practitioners. | | | | attention on particularities and focus on correct |
| However, the newer styles like TriYoga or Viniyoga | | | | alignment. Newcomers are instructed in detail and also |
| would still confuse many people as to which would | | | | provided with basic information as to its health benefits. |
| serve fitness or spirituality needs. Knowing the various | | | | Jivamukti Yoga comes from the Sanskrit definition of |
| styles and their focus on physical challenge or | | | | jivamukti, "liberation of the soul." This style has a spiritual |
| relaxation would prove helpful. | | | | inclination and is more traditional than others and is |
| Hatha Yoga is the 'mother of all' yoga styles since | | | | performed in particular progressions of asanas that |
| current styles have evolved from this. Simultaneously, it | | | | are held for a long time, going on segue from one to |
| is performed by a combination of the asanas with | | | | the next in an energetic and flowing manner. |
| breathing exercises and cleansing practices | | | | Vegetarianism and awareness of the environment are |
| (pranayama and shatkriyas) and meditation and deep | | | | promoted attitudes. |
| relaxation. By long practice, the poses are held for long | | | | Kripalu Yoga, or its alternative term, Amrit Yoga is a |
| periods under an atmosphere of meditation. | | | | mutually healing and mystical style. A gentle practice, its |
| Anusara Yoga highlights an attitude that upholds life | | | | goal is to calm the mind and develop an attitude of |
| and in adjustment to the heart. This style is based on | | | | open acceptance of the self and one's performance. |
| the principle of proper alignment and that a joyful and | | | | On the contrary, Kundalini Yoga is energetic and |
| receptive performance enhance the positive | | | | strong, aiming to stir the force of the serpent Kundalini, |
| outcomes of the asanas. | | | | found at the base of the spinal column. This style also |
| Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga is a vibrant and strong style | | | | holds the asanas for long periods and emphasizes |
| with a focus on breathing, that works with six specific | | | | breathing techniques. |
| sequences of poses and some elements of | | | | Power Yoga is a easy, dynamic and precise offshoot |
| movement to connect the poses, thereby making a | | | | of Ashtanga style. The aim of this style is to increase |
| transition between the static traditional positions. | | | | staying power, energy and good health. It's said to be |
| Bikram Yoga is made of a series of 24 positions and | | | | 'about feeling good, not just looking good.' |
| two pranayamas or breathing techniques intended to | | | | Sivananda Yoga integrates the tenets of exercise |
| improve strength, balance and flexibility. This style | | | | (asana), breathing (pranayama), relaxation (savasana), |
| stands out from the rest with its venue of a room | | | | vegetarian diet and meditation. |
| that's heated up to 40 degrees Celsius, to cause more | | | | TriYoga is a mixture of asanas, pranayama and |
| sweat for flushing out body toxins. Which came up | | | | mudras (sacred hand gestures) with fluid segues of |
| with 'Hot Yoga' as the more popular term for this style. | | | | strings of asanas. |
| Integral Yoga, from its term, integrates the asanas, | | | | Viniyoga is among the curative styles, centered on |
| breathing styles, meditation and deep relaxation into | | | | synching breathing and movements. Asanas are held |
| one complete procedure with a spiritual bent. | | | | for long periods too, but these are adapted to the |
| Popularized for its wide use of props of chairs, belts, | | | | practitioner's age and health condition. |