The Many Styles of Yoga

There are 22 forms of yoga practiced in the West. uses rapid, repetitive movements rather than poses
Read this guide to find out which form of Yoga is forheld for a long time.
you. The Different Types of YogaBikram or Hot Yoga
There are many different styles of yoga being taughtPioneered by Bikram Choudhury, this style is more
and practiced today. Although all of the styles aregenerally referred to as Hot Yoga. It is practiced in a
based on the same physical postures (called95 to 100 degree room, which allows for a loosening of
Asana’s), each has a particular emphasis ortight muscles and profuse sweating, which is thought to
path. Here is a quick guide to the most popular typesbe cleansing. The Bikram method is a set series of 26
of yoga that can help you decide which style is rightposes, but not all hot classes make use of this series.
for you.Anusara Yoga
However, I am strongly advising that you try as manyFounded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara combines a
different styles, classes and teachers as possible.  It isstrong emphasis on physical alignment with a positive
crucial for your development, that you have a rich andphilosophy derived from Tantra. The
varied experience of Yoga. philosophy’s premise is belief in the intrinsic
Hatha Yogagoodness of all beings. Anusara classes are usually
Hatha is a very general term that can encompasslight-hearted and accessible to students of differing
many of the physical types of yoga. If a class isabilities. Poses are taught in a way that opens the
described as Hatha style, it is probably going to beheart, both physically and mentally, and props are often
slow-paced and gentle and provide a good introductionused.
to the basic yoga postures.  Highly recommended asJivamukti Yoga
a standard experience in the basics of yoga. This is aThis style of yoga emerged from one of New
good place to learn basic poses, relaxation techniques,York’s best-known yoga studios. Jivamukti
and become comfortable with yoga.founders David Life and Sharon Gannon take
Vinyasa Yogainspiration from Ashtanga yoga and emphasise
Like Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used tochanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings. They have
describe many different types of classes. Vinyasa,trained many teachers who have brought this style of
which means breath-synchronized movement, tends toyoga to studios and gyms, predominantly in the U.S.
be a more vigorous style based on the performanceThese classes are physically intense and often include
of a series of postures called Sun Salutations, in whichsome chanting.
movement is matched to the breath. A Vinyasa classForrest Yoga
will typically start with a number of Sun Salutations toHeadquartered in Santa Monica, California, and gaining
warm up the body for more intense stretching that'spopularity around the U.S., Forrest Yoga is the method
done at the end of class. taught by Ana Forrest. The performance of vigorous
Ashtanga or Power Yogaasana sequences is intended to strengthen and purify
Ashtanga, which means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, is athe body and release pent-up emotions and pain so
fast-paced, intense style of yoga. A set series ofthat healing can begin. Expect an intense workout with
postures are performed, always in the same order.an emphasis on abdominal strengthening and deep
Ashtanga Yoga is very physically demanding becausebreathing.
of the constant movement from one pose to the next.Kripalu Yoga
In yoga terminology, this movement is called flow.The name Kripalu is associated both with a style of
Ashtanga is also the inspiration for what is often calledhatha yoga and a yoga and wellness centre in
Power Yoga.  If a class is described as Power Yoga,Stockbridge, Massachusetts. Both were founded by
it will be based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, butyoga guru Amrit Desai, who came to the United
not necessarily keep strictly to the set AshtangaStates from India in 1960. Kripalu is a yoga practice
series of poses.with a compassionate approach and emphasis on
Iyengar Yogameditation, physical healing and spiritual transformation
Based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, thisthat overflows into daily life. Kripalu also focuses on
style of practice is most concerned with bodilylooking inward and moving at your own pace.
alignment. In yoga, the word alignment is used toIntegral Yoga
describe the precise way in which your body shouldIntegral yoga follows the teachings of Sri Swami
be positioned in each pose in order to obtain theSachidananda, who came to the U.S. in the 1960s and
maximum benefits and avoid injury. Iyengar Yogaeventually founded many Integral Yoga Institutes and
usually emphasises holding poses over long periodsthe famed Yogaville Ashram in Virginia. Integral is a
versus moving quickly from one pose to the nextgentle hatha practice, and classes often also include
(flow). Also, Iyengar practice encourages the use ofbreathing exercises, chanting, kriyas, and meditation.
props, such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps, inSivananda Yoga
order to bring the body into the most perfect alignment.Swami Vishnu-devananda, a disciple of Swami
Kundalini YogaSivananda, founded the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta
Yogi Bhajan brought Kundalini Yoga to the US inCentre in 1957. There are now close to 80 locations
1969.  Now the practice is world wide and growing.worldwide, including several ashram retreats.
The emphasis in Kundalini Yoga is on the breath,Sivananda yoga is based upon five principles:
internal concentration, mantra (words or sounds) in1. Proper exercise (Asana, focusing on 12 poses in
conjunction with physical movement, with the purposeparticular)
of freeing energy within the body and allowing it to2. Proper breathing (Pranayama)
move upwards. All asana practices make use of3. Proper relaxation (Savasana)
controlling the breath. But in Kundalini, the exploration of4. Proper diet (Vegetarian)
the effects of the breath (also called prana, meaning5.
life force energy) on the postures is essential. Kundalini