| In today's fast-paced world, it's soothing to leave the | | | | Ashtanga, and if you take a class in this type of |
| rat race behind and spend some time in a calm | | | | high-energy yoga, be prepared for a workout! The |
| environment, guided through gentle poses by your | | | | Ashtanga style centres on building strength and |
| yoga teacher. Whether you've taken a class, or are | | | | endurance, and it's more challenging than other types |
| just embarking on your own path to enlightenment, it | | | | of yoga. It's an excellent way to burn fat and get your |
| can be confusing to know which type best suits you. | | | | heart pumping. |
| Here are some of the most common yoga styles: | | | | Kundalini Yoga |
| Hatha Yoga | | | | Kundalini really focuses on building the mind-body |
| First introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th | | | | connection. You are taken rapidly through the poses, |
| century, Hatha is ideal for beginners, as it is very gentle | | | | focusing on breath, and it often involves chanting. |
| and movements are smooth and fluid. The focus is on | | | | Kundalini refers to a form of life force, which lies |
| balance, relaxation, and breathing as you perform the | | | | dormant within the chakras of the body. |
| various poses. Iyengar yoga is a type of Hatha yoga, | | | | Depending on the centre you choose, you'll find that |
| which is centred on the alignment of the body, as well | | | | many of them mix different styles of yoga together in |
| as on flexibility and balance. In an Iyengar yoga class, | | | | lessons, and usually offer customized classes like |
| students use props like wooden blocks, straps, and | | | | prenatal yoga, candlelight yoga, and even children's |
| chairs while going through the sets of precise | | | | yoga. A number of employers have started to use |
| movements. | | | | corporate yoga programs to improve employee health |
| Bikram Yoga | | | | and wellness. |
| Bikram yoga is also referred to as "Hot yoga." The | | | | All styles of yoga have both mental and physical |
| room temperature gets to around 105 degrees | | | | benefits. Yoga can help you build strength and flexibility |
| Fahrenheit, with humidity up at about 40 percent, | | | | in the body, lose weight and tone muscles, improve |
| making for a steamy yet effective workout. Your | | | | circulation, and reduce stress. It's a great way to keep |
| muscles are more flexible as the heat allows them to | | | | your spine aligned and use the various muscle groups |
| stretch, however, you must be careful not to overdo it | | | | in the body. Some people do yoga in conjunction with |
| for exactly that reason. Pregnant women or people | | | | other treatment programs, such as smoking cessation, |
| with certain health conditions should not do Bikram. | | | | or to relieve allergy and asthma symptoms. Yoga is a |
| Ashtanga Yoga | | | | source of relaxation and enjoyment, and in some |
| You might have heard the term "Power yoga." This is | | | | cases, it might even be the best medicine. |