| You finally made the decision to practice yoga, but | | | | clearance from their medical professional. |
| which style of yoga is the best one for you? There | | | | Power Yoga |
| are many types of yoga, and while they usually have | | | | This is an intense workout that is a hybrid of Ashtanga, |
| common elements, their focus is often quite different. If | | | | because the postures do not necessarily follow a |
| you have not been physically active in a long time, then | | | | particular sequence every time. Asanas move from |
| one of the more gentle, slower moving styles may be | | | | one to another and they require a great deal of |
| right for you. If you are an athlete or are very | | | | strength and stamina. Power yoga is best suited for |
| physically fit, you might want to check out some of the | | | | athletic, well-conditioned individuals. It is my favorite type |
| more strenuous forms. | | | | of yoga, and even though I am in excellent physical |
| The following is a list of the more common yoga | | | | shape, I find it very challenging. |
| classes that you will find. | | | | Kundalini |
| Hatha Yoga | | | | This type of yoga combines postures with specific |
| Almost every style of yoga practiced in the west is | | | | breathing. Its purpose is to release the Kundalini energy |
| some form of Hatha Yoga. It includes asanas, | | | | that is housed at the base of the spine and allow it to |
| breathing exercises, relaxation, and meditation. Each of | | | | move upward. Its ultimate goal is spiritual enlightenment. |
| the individual forms of yoga has a different emphasis, | | | | Kripalu |
| but classes usually include some combination of these | | | | This style of yoga is meditation in motion. Its goal is for |
| elements. | | | | the individual to gain a deeper inner awareness and to |
| Ashtanga | | | | nurture a relationship with his or her body. Classes |
| This is a very fast paced, intense style of yoga. It | | | | include gentle yoga postures with coordinated |
| follows a series of postures, which are always done in | | | | breathing and an emphasis on alignment. They also |
| the same order and are connected with the breath. | | | | include an extended period of meditation and |
| Each posture flows directly into the next one, so it is a | | | | relaxation. |
| very demanding practice. Ashtanga can be a good | | | | Integral |
| choice for physically fit individuals who like a challenge. | | | | Created by Sri Swami Satchidananda, this type of |
| Iyengar | | | | yoga is very gentle. Classes have a greater emphasis |
| This type of yoga, which was developed by B.K.S. | | | | on the meditative rather than the physical aspects of |
| Iyengar, is focused on proper body alignment. Poses | | | | yoga. Integral Yoga is included in Dr. Dean Ornish's |
| are held for long periods of time and the movement | | | | program, which has been shown to reverse heart |
| from one posture to another is slower than some | | | | disease. |
| other styles. Props are often used to help maintain | | | | Viniyoga |
| proper alignment, so Iyengar can be a good choice for | | | | This style was created by T.K.V. Desikachar and is a |
| those who have physical limitations. Since it focuses so | | | | therapeutic approach to yoga. It focuses on breathing |
| much on correct body alignment, it is also a good | | | | in conjunction with movement. Viniyoga encourages |
| starting point for beginners before they move into | | | | modified postures to meet an individual's specific needs |
| faster paced styles. | | | | and abilities. It would be a valuable style for someone |
| Bikram | | | | who is dealing with an injury or other physical |
| This style of yoga was created by Bikram Choudhury | | | | restriction. |
| and is also known as 'hot yoga.' Classes are held in | | | | Once you've chosen a specific type of yoga, it doesn't |
| rooms heated up to 100 degrees in order to allow your | | | | mean you have to stay with it forever. You can |
| body to stretch without injury and release toxins. | | | | choose to focus on another style for a while or mix |
| Practitioners move through a series of twenty-six | | | | several different types depending on how your mind |
| postures, with each one being held for a period of time. | | | | and body feel. Whichever type you choose, the most |
| This is a strenuous style and should be avoided by | | | | important thing is to continue doing it on a regular basis |
| people with certain health conditions unless they get | | | | so you can enjoy the rewards that yoga brings. |