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| Yoga Styles |
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Favorite Yoga Styles
- Ashtanga
- Iyengar
- Jivamukti
- Sivananda
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Viniyoga
Other Styles
- Ananda
- Anusara
- Bikram
- Integral
- Kripalu
- Kundalini
- Hatha
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What is Yoga? |
In my teaching I enjoy combining the different styles that I have learned
to improve my students ability to focus and balance.
These techniques help them throughout their daily life. |
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Yoga is a Sanskrit word of many meanings. It may refer to the "union of the self with the divine." It may be used to cite the methods or disciplines used to achieve such union. It may encompass certain meditative practices. It may refer to a Hindu theistic philosophy with many schools of thought about spiritual life and liberation.
Generally, the word yoga refers to an integration of physical and mental exercises designed to balance and unite the mind, body, and spirit. Various branches of yoga emphasize a particular approach to this integration. Jnana Yoga takes the path of knowledge or wisdom; Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion; Karma Yoga is the path of action or service; Tantra Yoga is the path of ritual; Raja Yoga is the path of meditation; Hatha Yoga is the path of physical postures (called asanas) and breathing (pranayama). |
| Hatha Yoga |
There are many schools of Hatha Yoga, and many approaches to teaching. It is not unusual for teachers themselves to study in various schools and to blend techniques to create their own approaches. Differences among the schools are usually about emphasis: One may focus on strict alignment of the body, another on coordination of breath and movement; one may focus on holding each posture for a period of time, another on the flow (vinyasa) from one posture to another. A new yoga student may want to try classes in different styles and with different teachers to find those that best match his or her needs.
Many of the schools of Hatha Yoga popular today in the West can trace their roots to the Indian Sanskrit scholar and teacher Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), several of whose pupils have themselves become prominent teachers. Among the most popular and influential in the West are: B.K.S. Iyengar, who founded Iyengar yoga; T.K.V. Desikachar (Krishnamacharya's son), who carries on the tradition, known as Viniyoga, that he learned from his father; and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who developed Ashtanga Yoga. There are, however, many popular schools of yoga that may be most suitable for the beginner student. We have provided a comprehensive list of yoga styles and approaches to help you find what you are looking for. |
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| Ashtanga Yoga |
| Ashtanga Yoga (often also called Power Yoga) was first developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and is an aerobic, muscle-shaping, mind-sculpting, physically demanding workout. Students move through a series of flows, moving from one posture to another to build strength, flexibility, and stamina. Room temperatures are often set high to promote detoxification through increased perspiration. Ashtanga often appeals to athletes and those who enjoy high-energy exercise. |
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| Iyengar Yoga |
| Iyengar yoga emphasizes posture and the development of balance and alignment. To support students' explorations of postures, Iyengar yoga makes use of a wide variety of props: belts, blocks, pillows, and balls. Iyengar is one of the most widely practiced yoga techniques in the West. It was developed in India by B.K.S. Iyengar and responds to individuals with varying limitations and capacities for accomplishing postures. Iyengar Yoga is noted for great attention to detail and the precise alignment of postures. |
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| Jivamukti Yoga |
| Jivamukti, a Sanskrit word that means "liberation while living," was developed by Sharon Gannon and David Life and combines a vigorous physical practice with an equally strong foundation in ancient spiritual traditions of yoga. Each class focuses on a theme, which is supported by Sanskrit chanting, readings, references to scriptural texts, music (from the Beatles to Moby), spoken word, asana sequencing, and yogic breathing practices. |
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| Sivananda Yoga |
| Sivananda, one of the world's largest schools of yoga, is very supportive to beginners. Developed by Swami Vishnu-Devananda and named for his teacher, Swami Sivananda, Sivananda Yoga follows a set structure that includes breathing, classic asanas, and relaxation, as well as principles of diet and positive thinking. The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga , written by Swami Vishnu-Devananda and first published in 1960, was one of the first, and continues to be one of the best, introductions to yoga available. |
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| Copyright © 2007 yogipaul, All rights reserved. |
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