| With so many types of yoga to choose from, how | | | | Bikram yoga is also known as "hot yoga," because it is |
| can you know that you have found the best way to | | | | typically performed in a very warm room (95 to 105 |
| practice? Choosing a particular type of yoga is easier | | | | degrees). The heat of the environment helps to warm |
| if you know the main differences between Hatha, | | | | up muscles, making them better able to stretch and let |
| Vinyasa, Kundalini, Bikram, or Ashanta, to name a few. | | | | the energy flow through them properly. In this type of |
| Knowing the various benefits can help you find the | | | | yoga, sweating is considered to be a major part of the |
| yoga practice that is right for you. Ultimately, taking | | | | body cleansing process. Bikram consists of 26 |
| some classes may be helpful to learn about poses | | | | different series of movements, that are taken from |
| and yoga meditation. | | | | Hatha poses. |
| Hatha Yoga | | | | Kundalini Yoga |
| The type of yoga that most Westerners are familiar | | | | While all types of yoga focus on breathing techniques |
| with is Hatha. Generally, Hatha is more relaxed and | | | | that connect the body and the energy, Kundalini yoga |
| more focused on breathing techniques and simple | | | | has a more prominent focus on connecting the |
| poses (asanas) than other types of yoga. Many time, | | | | breathing and physical movement, with the intention of |
| classes are centered around Hatha techniques, which | | | | moving energy (also called prana) from the lower body |
| include meditation and stretching. Hatha yoga has | | | | up toward the center so that it may be released. |
| many recognized benefits, including greater relaxation, | | | | Rapid and repetitive movements help to connect |
| improved flexibility and strength, and help improve | | | | breathing and postures, and chanting is used to help |
| overall health. | | | | release the energies from the center. Also known as |
| Vinyasa Yoga | | | | a form of tantric yoga, Kundalini yoga is often |
| Vinyasa, also known as Ashtanga yoga, focuses on | | | | associated with more religious practices. |
| more rigorous and dynamic movements and | | | | Many Benefits of Yoga |
| sequences of movements and postures. These | | | | People of all ages and body types can reap the |
| sequences are intended to achieve more heat in the | | | | benefits of various types of yoga practice. Whether |
| body, improve circulation, increase respiratory benefits, | | | | you choose to learn yoga through a teacher, a video, |
| increase strength and flexibility, and ultimately improve | | | | or classes, the benefits of each type of are many, |
| the connection between mind, spirit, and body. Many of | | | | including physical and mental discipline, better |
| the celebrities that claim to use yoga for exercise, | | | | concentration, cleansing of the body's impurities, |
| including Madonna, use this type of practice. Six | | | | increased strength and flexibility, improved health, and |
| different series of movements are involved, each | | | | relaxation. For thousands of years, yoga has been |
| having their own specific pattern of movements. This | | | | recognized as a healthy and therapeutic activity for |
| type of practice is often referred to as power yoga. | | | | the mind, body and spirit. |
| Bikram Yoga | | | | |