| As is evidenced by its use amongst such celebrities as | | | | deep knowledge of outer and inner body alignment. |
| Madonna, Sting, Russell Simmons and Evander | | | | Owing to the differences in each student's abilities and |
| Holyfield to name a few, yoga's popularity has | | | | limitations, instructors are usually more honoring and |
| increased in leaps and bounds. However, suffice it to | | | | respectful to students need. Then again ALL yoga |
| say that just like Christianity that has several | | | | instructors usually are anyway.c. Ashtanga |
| denominations but essentially at the core all the same, | | | | Okay, heads up, if you're a newbie to yoga or not |
| you may have to do some research to see what | | | | very physically fit, er...this may not be the one for you! |
| style fits your needs. | | | | However, not to say it's not a great style of yoga into |
| It is noteworthy of mention that although there are | | | | itself but that would be like taking a class to dance like |
| many styles of yoga, the differences are usually about | | | | Michael Jackson if you've never danced in your life! |
| emphasis, such as focusing on strict alignment of the | | | | That said, the style was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, |
| body, coordination of breath and movement, holding | | | | and is physically demanding. Moreover, the so-called |
| the postures, or the flow from one posture to another. | | | | Power Yoga is based on Ashtanga. It's not for |
| Moreover, from a simple observation, it is safe to say | | | | beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely |
| all of the styles share a common lineage and it should | | | | approach to fitness..d. Bikram |
| be noted that no style is better than another; it's simply | | | | Well, this style is unique for one defining property, the |
| a matter of personal preference. More important than | | | | studio in which its practice takes place is HOT! So |
| any style is the student-teacher relationship. | | | | friends, if you choose this, be ready to SWEAT! Now, I |
| That said, presented herewith in alphabetical, (not | | | | have not taking this class before but from inquiries into |
| preference of efficiency) are some of the more | | | | it, I am told that in the studio, they crank the thermostat |
| popular yoga styles.a. Ananda | | | | up high, then perform a series of 26 asanas designed |
| Upon a closer inspection of this style it is apparent that | | | | to "scientifically" warm and stretch muscles, ligaments |
| this method uses asanas (poses) and pranayama | | | | and tendons. Sounds quite intriguing, needless to say |
| (Breathing Exercises) to arouse the more or less | | | | BE HYDRATED before practice folks. |
| subtle energies that lay within us. It is differentiated | | | | Thus far we have discussed the Ananda, Anusara, |
| from most other systems in that it uses silent | | | | Ashtanga and Bikram styles of yoga, in part 2 of this |
| affirmations while in the pose.b. Anusara | | | | series, we will go over some other styles that are |
| This folks is a relatively new style and is grounded in a | | | | commonly practiced. |