Yoga Styles Yoga Basics
There are many styles of yoga. Amongst the most popular are:
Ashtanga YogaAshtanga Vinyasa Yoga is the name given to the system of hatha yoga currently taught, in Mysore, South India, by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, a former student of Krishnamacharya. In Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, postures (asanas) are arranged in sequences, called series. There are six such series, although most practionners only study the first one, Yoga Chikitsa, which is generally called the primary series. The asana practice in this style of yoga is fast flowing and aerobic. It begins with a number of repetitions of Surya Namaskar (sun salutations), and the various asanas are linked between them by a transition sequence called a Vinyasa, in which movement is consciously synchronized with the breath. The ashtanga system also makes use of a special breathing technique (Ujayi) and of internal energy locks (Bandhas) to produce intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. Emphasis is also placed on drishtis (gazing points). The practice of Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga develops strength and stamina as well as flexibility, as well as being very energizing. [Top]
Iyengar YogaIyengar yoga is a form of yoga developed by BKS Iyengar, a former student of Krishnamacharya. Based in Puna, India, BKS Iyengar has been teaching yoga since 1936. Author of the best seller "Light on Yoga", he is one of the word foremost exponent of Hatha yoga, and has trained countless yoga teachers all over the world. There are Iyengar yoga institutes all over Europe, as well as in America, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Iyengar method places special focus on developing strength, endurance and correct body alignment in addition to flexibility and relaxation. Standing poses are emphasized in this system of yoga. They build strong legs, increase general vitality, and improve circulation, coordination and balance. BKS Iyengar has systematized over 200 yoga postures and studied their therapeutic applications. His emphasis is on precision and correct alignment of the various part of the body, so that the physiological systems can function at their best. Iyengar yoga is strong, but relatively static. [Top]
ViniyogaViniyoga is not so much a name of yoga, rather a methodology for developing personal practice, using asana, pranayama, meditation and chanting. Viniyoga respects the fact that as we grow, the methods we use in yoga must be modified and the very purpose of our practice changed. As children, our practice should support balanced growth and development of body and mind. As adults, our practice should protect health and promote the ability to be productive in the world. As seniors, our practice should help us maintain health and inspire the deeper quest for self-realization. [Top]
Satyananda yogaSatyananda Yoga is a traditional form of Yoga, which includes Asanas, Pranayama, Tantric practices, cleansing practices, mind focusing practices, pratyahara and meditation. It differs from Asthanga and Iyengar yoga in that it does not place the main focus on asanas, but rather works on the multi layered aspects of our being. Right from the beginning, classes include pranayama, and a Tantric technique of Yoga Nidra, which systematically relaxes the body and the mind, and eventually helps our consciousness to move beyond the mind. This deepening of awareness is carried out while practicing gentle asanas at the beginning and keeping the awareness inward focusing on how one's being 'feels' from the inside. This is quite different from the Iyengar approach of making sure the body is in 100% correct alignment, focusing on how the body looks from the outside. One's initial experience of Satyananda yoga is usually that one notices the deep relaxation experienced during the classes and the calmness and peace of mind, which slowly develops. At the same time the asanas begin to work with any tensions, which may be held in the body, and ones awareness of bodily tension and how to release them improves with ones experience. As one progresses in the practice of Satyananda Yoga, one proceeds to unravel the conditioning of our mind and to become aware of thought patterns. This 'self knowledge' allows one to step outside the 'reaction mode' that many of us reside in, and begin to work towards a higher potential. A side effect of Satyananda yoga is that the body becomes stronger and leaner and general health improves as a result of the physical asanas and of increased awareness of the body, breath and other internal energies. However, this is considered a side effect and is not the central goal of the practice. The main emphasis of Satyananda Yoga is on inner awareness. Breathing techniques are taught from the beginning and most of the postures are practiced with the eyes closed and the awareness directed inwards. As Satyananda yoga is a gentle style, it is suitable for all ages, whether fit or unfit, large or small. However, this style of yoga is not as 'physical' as either Asthanga or Iyengar, so if body training and fitness is a main part of your motivation then may be Satyananda Yoga may not be the right choice. [Top]
Bikram YogaLiving yoga master Bikram Choudhury is a Hot Yoga innovator. His method of Hot Yoga is a set series of 26 yoga poses, including two pranayama exercises, each of which is performed twice in a single 90 minute class. Choudhury, who was born in Calcutta, India in 1946, founded the Yoga College of India in Beverly Hills in 1974. He and his wife Rajashree were both yoga champions in India. Recently, Choudhury was involved in a lawsuit over his attempt to copyright his series of 26 poses done in a hot room. At the heart of the controversy is Choudhury's desire to prevent anyone teaching yoga in a heated room from calling their class "Bikram Yoga." He would like to reserve this title only for those teachers who are certified by his Yoga College of India and who stick to his prescribed method exactly (including not only the temperature of the room and order of poses, but also the carpet and mirrors in the room, and his approved text). The lawsuit was resolved with an out-of-court settlement in which Choudhury agreed not to sue the members of a San Francisco-based collective of Hot Yoga teachers and they agreed not to use the Bikram name. Bikram remains a very controversial figure in the yoga world. [Top]
Kundalini yogaThe word Kundalini means spiral of hair and later came to be known as the coiled serpent of potential energy and consciousness which lies at the base of the spine and can be awoken by various practices, moving and sounding like a serpent as it arises; one of the earliest methods being to wind the hair into a knot at the top of the head. This knot then acts as an amplifier and transformer between the finite/personal life and the infinite/impersonal. Yoga means union and in addition to the temporary union between the mind, body and soul while in this worldly existence there is also the possibility of an eternal union between the differentiated small soul/self as it expands towards the undifferentiated and the large soul/self as it individualizes or diversifies itself. Note: To even contemplate union is already to admit of separation. Yoga is a way of healing the separation through various stages. The structure and processes of the body/mind is our most potent tools for accomplishing this union as well as the most likely hindrance. The stages of the Kundalini journey have been visualized as seven chakras - energy wheels, or gates through which the conscious must pass; individual consciousness rising up while universal consciousness descends. Most of our states of consciousness could be thought of as postures - some static and some dynamic - each of which effect our breathing and mind patterns. By changing our body posture, breath rhythm and thought vibration we can change our state. Awakening the Kundalini is no big deal since for life to exist in us it must already be active, though relatively unconscious. Moments of deeper awakening do happen in life but we do not always know what contributed to this awakening or how to sustain it. Kundalini Yoga developed as a systematic method of expanding consciousness and maintaining the new awareness. Kundalini is related to primal consciousness and is only dangerous if ignored, when it becomes misguided intent; like truth, weeds, sexuality, bacteria, etc. all cause trouble if ignored. The chanting of mantra is one of the important ways in which the stimulation and raising of the energy from the dreamy subconscious realms can be harmoniously regulated, channeled and appropriately transformed. Kundalini refers to an impulse and an energy, which has both personal and collective dimensions; it is enduring and can offer us guidance from within - it is our inner guru. Ritual is one of the ways that Kundalini has been awoken and with its sacred quality, ritual offers a respect to an energy that is thought to be very powerful and somewhat unknown. The ritual of Kundalini Yoga, is very simple and includes the chanting of several mantras at the beginning and end of the session. The standard format of the session is about 40 minutes of exercises incorporating breathing, 15 minutes of deep relaxation and 5 minutes of meditation. Kundalini Yoga, as taught by Yogi Bhajan, is a comprehensive system and so some classes include discussions about life and spiritual philosophy. [Top]