9 Types of Yoga You Need to Know

What is Yoga?

Yoga is really a religious discipline supported by a very delicate science, that focuses on transferral harmony between mind and body. it is a well-known art and science of healthy living. The word ‘Yoga’ springs from the Indic root ‘Yuj’, which means ‘to join’ or ‘to yoke’ or ‘to unite’. 

 One United Nations agency experiences this unity of existence is claimed to be in yoga and is termed as a yogi, having earned to a state of freedom mentioned as Mukti, nirvana, or moksha. therefore the aim of Yoga is fulfillment, to beat every type of suffering leading to the state of liberation (Moksha) or ‘freedom’ (Kaivalya). Living with freedom altogether walks of life, health, and harmony shall be the foremost objectives of Yoga apply.

"Yoga” conjointly refers to an inner science comprising of an expansion of strategies through that grouping will understand this union and bring home the bacon mastery over their destiny. Yoga, being widely thought of as an ‘immortal cultural outcome’ of Indus Saraswati vale civilization – geological dating back to 2700 B.C., has tried itself occupation to each material and religious upliftment of humanity. Basic humane values square measure the terrible identity of Yoga Sadhana.

The apply of Yoga is believed to possess started with the terrible dawn of civilization. The science of yoga has been originated thousands of years past, long before the first religions or belief systems were comes into knowing. inside the yogistic mental object, Shiva is seen as a result of the primary yogi or Adiyogi, and so the primary Guru or Adi Guru.

Types of Yoga

How Many Types of Yoga Are There? Many different types of yoga exist and it can be difficult to figure out which particular style is right for you, Here I am listing some of the types of yoga

Anusara Yoga

Anusara yoga is a modern style started by John Friend in 1997. Anusara means ‘flowing with grace’. This style is based on hatha yoga and unifies the principles of alignment with the Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness.

Heart

Each class has a heart-oriented theme usually focusing on cultivating a virtue whether it is a quality of mind or a quality of the heart or both, the intention is to deepen one’s alignment with the Divine.

The Three A’s of Anusara

Anusara yoga can be categorized into three main parts:

• Attitude – the ‘celebration of the heart’ that looks for the good in all people and all things
• Alignment – the ‘mindful awareness of how each and every part of our boy are integrated and interconnected with each other’
• Action – the ‘natural flow of energy in the body, which provides stability and joyful freedom

Its celebratory style and uplifting philosophy are attracting students from all levels of ability, making it one of the fastest-growing styles of Yoga worldwide. Individuality and creative self-expression are encouraged and celebrated.

Most participants expressed that they feel highly energized, less fatigued, more relaxed, and calm after completing an Anusara yoga class.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a method interpreted and brought to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915 – 2009). Ashtanga yoga is now one of the most powerful and popular styles today and is practiced in over 30 countries.

Ashtanga yoga is a fast-paced series of postures that focus on powerful flowing movements which use strength and stamina. Ashtanga yoga purifies the body through the stimulation of internal heat. Breathing and moving together while performing asanas makes the blood hot.

The heat created during practice cleans the blood and thins it making it circulate more freely around the body and the joints, taking body pain and impurities in the blood away and removing them through perspiration.

Ashtanga yoga is a vigorous, athletic style of practice, so be cautious if you are suffering from an injury as it may be too strenuous to start with but more appropriate when you have recovered.

Bikram Yoga

Developed by Bikram Choudhury in LA California, Bikram yoga (or hot yoga, as it is also known) is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105oF (40.5oC) with a humidity of 40%.

Bikram method is a set of a total of 26 yoga poses, each of which is performed two times in a 90-minute class, is designed to stretch the overall muscles, ligaments, and various tendons in the order by which they should be stretched.

It is essential that you have your own yoga mat and towel when doing Bikram yoga as you will be sweating a great deal. Students tend to wear little clothing for that same reason.

As this yoga can be very dehydrating, ensure that you drink plenty of water before and after as well as taking a bottle into class with you. Try not to eat anything for at least two hours before a Bikram yoga class. As this is a very strenuous yoga form it is not recommended for those with cardiovascular disease or those who are pregnant. Remember to check with the teacher to make adjustments for your condition prior to class

A good tip: "Don’t rush to take a shower straight after class as you can lose essential energy (Ojas). Instead, dry off naturally and then rub the body with a dry towel. Once your body has reached normal room temperature, then take a shower"

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga helps to balance the mind and body by poses or ‘Asanas’, controlled breathing, and calming the mind through relaxation and meditation. The poses teach balance and strength and, as they are held for a longer time frame, help focus and clear the mind as well.

Breathing helps to promote the energy flow of the body and meditation helps to settle the nervous system and calm the mind. Hatha yoga can also help you cope with stress, deal with anxiety and depression and relieve tension.

Suggested equipment for Hatha Yoga includes:

• A yoga mat
• Two yoga blocks
• Belt, strap, or resistance band

Iyengar Yoga

The term ‘Iyengar Yoga’ was coined by students of BKS Iyengar to distinguish this approach from other styles of yoga. His first book Light On Yoga was published in 1965 and has since been translated into over 16 different languages including Russian, Hebrew, Italian, Korean, and most recently Chinese.

In Iyengar yoga, there is more attention placed on the precise muscular and skeletal alignment this style of yoga demands. This style also uses many props such as blocks, belts, chairs, and blankets to help accommodate those who are not as flexible or to compensate for injuries.

Examples of Iyengar yoga props:

• Chair
• Belt, strap, or resistance band
• Foam block
• Wooden yoga block
• Pillow
• Bolster
• Blanket
• Sticky mat

It is also one of the most practiced styles of yoga in the United States and is often a good form of yoga for lower back pain or neck pain as poses can be modified for greater benefit to each individual. No one is too old, too stiff, too fat, too thin, or too tired to do Iyengar yoga as everyone can receive benefit from this practice.

Jivamukti Yoga

Co-founded in 1984 by Sharon Gannon and David Life in New York, Jivamukti yoga is a vigorously physical and intellectually stimulating practice leading to spiritual awareness.

Jivamukti yoga’s distinct style incorporates the physical, psychological and spiritual aspects of yoga into a modern lifestyle. Each class is designed around a theme, which is explored further with chanting, readings from ancient text, music, postures, and breathing.

Jivamukti is a Sanskrit word meaning “liberation while living” and the philosophy behind this type of yoga is this... When we feel a limitation in the body or mind while practicing yoga, we are afforded the opportunity to concentrate on our true nature, which is love itself, beyond limitation.’

The main tenets of the Jivamukti style are:

• Scripture – teachings drawn from the ancient Sanskrit texts
• Bhakti – a recognition that God-realization is the goal of all yoga practices
• Ahimsa – providing educational information about food & the environment
• Nada – promoting the study of Nada Yoga (yoga of sound)
• Mediation – encouraging mediation as an essential part of the yoga practice

Attend a class at the Jivamukti Yoga School in New York and you may find yourself next to such luminaries as Christy Turlington, Sting, or Gwyenth Paltrow...all devotees of this method. If you enjoy a good dose of philosophy along with a strong workout then Jivamukti yoga will appeal to you.

Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal yoga is a very gentle form of yoga and is a range of movements and breathing exercises that will help expectant mothers reduce stress and anxiety and connect emotionally to the unborn child. Often the postures in prenatal yoga will help ease the tension from muscles allowing them to soften while maintaining strength in the back and help soothe tired, aching legs.

Meditation and focus on the breath help encourage an ‘inward reflection’ that also helps expectant mothers to connect to their unborn child. Learning to focus on the breath is very helpful during birth in dealing with pain management. The coping tools that yoga can teach during pregnancy can also assist in reducing stress after birth, encouraging a calmer interaction with the new baby, and improving sleep.

It is important that you do not attempt to do any yoga postures without first consulting your yoga teacher if you know that you are pregnant. Many postures may be dangerous for the baby and your teacher can guide you and give you safe variations.

Of course, yoga is regarded as a great way for new mothers to return to their pre-birth figure and Baby Yoga classes are a great way for mothers and newborns to continue their yoga experience together, deepening their bond. Overall, there are many benefits to be gained for expectant mothers before, during, and after birth that can be had by regular practice of prenatal yoga.

Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda yoga, after the teachings of Swami Sivananda (1887-1963) focuses on preserving the health and wellness of the practitioner

This method is based upon five principles:

1. Proper exercise (asanas)
2. Proper breathing
3. Proper relaxation
4. Proper diet (vegetarian)
5. Positive thinking and meditation
6. Sun Salutation Pose Sequence

A typical Sivananda yoga class is usually slow-paced allowing for a deeper exploration of each pose (asana) and will usually start with the sun salutation sequence before the poses, with the focus on the following twelve poses:

• Headstand
• Shoulder stand
• Plough
• Fish
• Forward bend
• Cobra
• Locust
• Bow
• Spinal twist
• Crow pose/ Crane pose
• Standing forward bend
• Triangle

Sivananda yoga will appeal to those who like to take it slow and gentle and promote their physical, mental, and spiritual wellbeing.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is an empowering and transformative yoga practice that links breath and movement in flowing exercises that are adapted to each individual.

Vinyasa Yoga unlike Ashtanga yoga, the vinyasa poses can be arranged into different sequences to suit the practitioner’s needs. This type of yoga allows for a lot of variety which will be appealing to those who get easily bored doing the same routines. Each movement in vinyasa yoga is done on an inhalation or an exhalation and the poses run together smoothly somewhat like a dance.

Vinyasa yoga is also easily adapted for each person which is great for people who are recovering from injury as the poses can be adjusted accordingly. As there isn’t a set series of poses, each instructor will design their classes differently – some may be at a faster pace, others may focus more on the mediation and there are those that will focus on alignment-oriented classes. You may want to try out a few different classes or instructors to find the best vinyasa yoga method you would enjoy.

People who are recovering from injury as well as those who enjoy a variety of different movements will benefit most from the vinyasa yoga style.