| Yoga is an all-encompassing lifestyle consisting of | | | | more difficult poses of yoga because the props help |
| exercise, diet, holistic healing, and mental wellness. | | | | you reach certain positions without the muscular effort |
| Originally developed in India, yoga is a practice that | | | | required to fulfill them unaided. Interestingly, Iyengar has |
| refers to physical and mental discipline. However, the | | | | shown to alleviate symptoms of depression. |
| popularity of yoga as a method of exercise has been | | | | Ashtanga yoga, also called Vinyasa yoga, is a very |
| on the rise in the past few years throughout the United | | | | flowing form of poses that utilizes a connective |
| States. | | | | element, called a vinyasa, in between sets of traditional |
| There are several types of yoga that are utilized for | | | | poses. This method is an excellent way to keep your |
| exercise and otherwise. Yoga is very beneficial due to | | | | heart rate up, as you are not given time to rest |
| the stretching it provides as well as development of | | | | between positions. This ties in with the goal of |
| core stability. Even professional athletes are beginning | | | | Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga: purification of the body. As |
| to get into yoga, recognizing the potential for not only | | | | you flow from pose to pose, the heat created by your |
| physical well-being but also mental strength. Before | | | | body is supposed to increase circulation and cause |
| you decide to take up yoga, you might want to check | | | | you to sweat out toxins. Overall, this yoga is a |
| out the different practices of yoga to decide what is | | | | wonderful way to become more flexible and strong at |
| best for you. | | | | the same time. |
| Hatha yoga is the basic type of yoga that most | | | | Lastly, there exists a very intense form of yoga |
| people think of when picturing yoga. It works to | | | | named Bikram. Also called Hot yoga, Bikram is typically |
| balance the mind and body through poses, breathing | | | | practiced in a room that has been heated to |
| techniques, and meditation. Practicing Hatha yoga is an | | | | 105°F. 26 postures are specifically used, as well |
| excellent way to combat stress and worry-based | | | | as two breathing exercises, which all take place in a |
| tensions. Additionally, Hatha yoga is a great way to | | | | class lasting about 90 minutes. Like Ashtanga yoga, the |
| stretch your muscles and relax. | | | | heat of the room helps rid your body of impurities while |
| Iyengar yoga is a slightly more intense category of | | | | promoting a deeper stretch. |
| exercise that focuses on the alignment of the body. | | | | There are even more, less mainstream types of yoga |
| Technically a subcategory of Hatha, Iyengar is a very | | | | such as Ayurvedic that are available. However, please |
| different type of yoga that utilizes props, such as belts | | | | use this quick overview to point you in the right |
| and blocks, to aid you in performing the poses. | | | | direction to a healthy lifestyle. |
| Practicing Iyengar yoga is a great way to jump into the | | | | |