Yoga Types - An Overview

Yoga has been practiced for more than five thousand years now. And it continues to be a viable fitness regimen for most people until today. There are many forms of yoga, ranging from physical to devotional practices, from gentle stretches to those that give you a nice cardio workout. Whatever style you choose, breathwork and postures are sure to be a common feature of each. No matter what level of fitness you are in, there's bound to be a certain form of Yoga that fits your needs.

Iyengar is usually the preferred exercise for those just introduced to Yoga. Focusing on postures and breathing, Iyengar Yoga aims to strengthen the body and increase flexibility through the poses. Postures are held for a certain time to build alignment and body awareness. As practitioners continue with the exercises, they strive to perfect the poses as it takes them to a much deeper level of awareness and concentration. In the Vinyasa Yoga regimen, one posture flows to the next, simulating a dance. Poses are not as held as long as in other forms of Yoga. The popular Power Yoga created by Bender Birch is a type of Yoga in the Vinyasa tradition. Anusara Yoga is another style founded by John Friend which aims to focus more on emotional and spiritual awareness. Still using body alignment to teach awareness, Anusara nevertheless is "heart-oriented" and teaches poses from the "inside out." Viniyoga is another style that is fit for beginners. It's a gentle Yoga practice that puts emphasis on retraining the body so it acquires healthful patterns and poses through more efficient movement and postures. Bikram Yoga, meanwhile, is unique from all the other forms of Yoga since it is practiced in a room heated at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The 26 poses is said to release toxins from your body even as it gives you a full body workout and a more intense stretch. It's the kind of Yoga preferred by those who wish to lose weight through Yoga. Finally, Kundalini Yoga aims to tap the line of energy that flows along your spine by repeating postures rhythmically instead of holding them. This form was introduced in America by Yogi Bhajan in 1969.

Whatever Yoga style you ultimately seek to participate in, what's important is consistency of practice and observance of proper form and breathing. Try to get a good Yoga workout at least two times a week and don't hold your breath in any of the poses. Rather, aim for steady and rhythmic nose breathing (which your instructor will teach you) so that you get relaxation and the proper stretch at the same time. If you're a true neophyte at Yoga, be prepared with a Yoga mat and some Yoga blocks and straps so that you can modify certain poses that may be difficult to do at first. Wear comfortable clothing that won't interfere with any of the poses. Like any form of exercise, stop when you feel pain at any point during the exercise. In Bikram Yoga, especially, nausea and dizziness are common, so make sure that you are properly hydrated before the workout. Stop and rest when you feel faint and return only when you feel better.

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