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After I first wished to attempt yoga, after a instructor at my college spoke about it, I went Google attempting to find close by studios. That I used to be utterly confused is an understatement. As an alternative of merely “yoga” studios, I used to be seeing Ashtanga, Vinyasa, Hatha, Samadhi, and plenty of different “this yoga” or “that yoga” studios. So, I fell down a rabbit gap – one full of Sanskrit phrases and religious guarantees.
I had an concept of what I wished to attempt, however the seemingly limitless decisions made it onerous for me to decide.
In case you’re like me, this information is for you. Getting what you want out of your yoga journey shouldn’t really feel like an uphill battle. We’ll take you thru a short overview of what yoga, in its most common phrases, means, how we bought to have all these several types of yoga, what you possibly can anticipate, and a fast rundown of some standard yoga sorts.
Why Are There Totally different Kinds of Yoga?
At its core, yoga is an historic follow that goals to unite our thoughts, physique, and spirit. On this quest, the follow combines many philosophies, ideas, and practices. It originated in India hundreds of years in the past, the place yoga sometimes concerned (however not at all times) bodily postures (asanas), breath management (pranayama), and meditative practices.
These three components are kind of current in all sorts of yoga, albeit in numerous varieties. As an illustration, some sorts of yoga concentrate on the religious side extra and contain very gentle actions – if in any respect. Different yoga sorts are extra bodily, equivalent to Ashtanga yoga, which includes numerous asanas practiced so as.
All through the years, as yoga developed and moved to the West, totally different yoga lecturers gave their very own interpretations of the traditional yoga texts and so they developed their very own techniques of yoga primarily based on these interpretations. Most well-known examples embrace Bikram yoga (scorching yoga) by Bikram Choudhury, primarily based on the teachings of B. C. Ghosh, Iyengar yoga by B. Ok. S. Iyengar, Raja yoga by Swami Vivekananda, who gave his personal interpretation of the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, and plenty of extra.
In these examples, the totally different yoga sorts characterize totally different techniques (methods of training yoga) developed by famend yoga gurus. Because the historic yoga texts had been very mystical and imprecise, some yoga lecturers customized the follow in keeping with their very own beliefs, considering that they had discovered a system that would unite our thoughts, physique, and spirit – and assist us lead a greater, extra spiritually enriched life.
Due to this, it’s most likely greatest to consider yoga (basically) as a toolbox for all times. Every totally different kind of yoga is only one instrument in that toolbox. Some instruments could also be extra common, whereas others are very particular. However, it’s as much as you to decide on which instruments you need to use to your life wants, from bodily power to psychological readability and emotional resilience.
The way to Make Sense of All The Names
One other helpful analogy when fascinated with yoga is bushes. Yoga, like a tree, has many branches which have developed into what they’re in the present day as a result of they meet the various wants and life of practitioners. The preferred and well-known yoga sorts are those that cater to most practitioners, whereas the opposite, extra area of interest yoga sorts cater to very particular wants, as an illustration, prenatal yoga or Jivamukti yoga.
Because the world adjustments, new yoga sorts are rising. Nonetheless, the varied yoga types are basically various interpretations of accomplishing well-being and harmonizing the thoughts and physique.
Many yoga disciplines share similarities, overlapping of their approaches and strategies. Moreover, inside every yoga model, particular person variations usually emerge from the distinctive perspective and methodology of the yoga teacher. For instance, two Hatha yoga lessons could be broadly totally different experiences with various ranges of issue.
So, whereas this information is a superb navigational instrument, at all times speak to the yoga teacher (and ask all of them sorts of questions!) earlier than reserving a category!
Totally different Kinds of Yoga
Listed below are a few of the hottest yoga types practiced within the West in the present day. Remember that this record just isn’t all-encompassing, and you might discover different yoga sorts on the market.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga lessons will sometimes embrace a set of simple asanas and respiration strategies. This department of yoga is sort of broad, with its primary concept being to channel our life vitality by way of bodily strategies (asanas and respiration workouts). Every yoga teacher will select the poses, respiration workouts, and order of their class primarily based on their model.
Due to this fact, many extra particular yoga types that embrace each bodily postures and breath work are stated to be primarily based on Hatha yoga, together with Ashtanga and Vinyasa. Actually, the time period Hatha yoga is usually a catchall idea for any yoga model that mixes asanas with breathwork.
In any case, hatha yoga lessons are often nice for inexperienced persons and individuals who need bodily follow however don’t need to really feel sore afterward.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga is for individuals who love a problem. It’s a rigorous, bodily demanding model, following a sequence of poses (asanas). There are six collection or ranges, and all asanas inside one collection are practiced in a hard and fast order. Count on to sweat and push your limits.
Ashtanga was popularized by Ok. Pattabhi Jois in the course of the twentieth century, who discovered it from his instructor Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. Nevertheless, the roots of Ashtanga could be traced again to the creator of “Yoga Korunta,” Vamana Rishi, and even the sage Patanjali.
Due to its historic roots and the bodily nature of the follow, in the present day, Ashtanga as a yoga system is likely one of the hottest yoga types within the West.
Vinyasa Yoga
Nonetheless, the primary spot by way of reputation goes to Vinyasa. Usually known as “circulation yoga,” this model is all about fluid actions. The poses transition easily and are linked with our respiration. Each inhalation and exhalation is a special motion. It is dynamic and inventive – excellent when you like a problem and a change in routine. Personally, I like to consider Vinyasa as a up to date dance with sluggish and managed actions.
The distinction from Ashtanga is that in Vinyasa, there isn’t any fastened order wherein the asanas are carried out, and the transition from one asana to a different is way more seamless.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini is greatest suited for individuals who need to faucet into their religious vitality. The follow focuses on awakening our vitality on the base of the backbone. It blends dynamic postures, breathwork, meditation, and the chanting of mantras.
Image Kundalini as a key, unlocking the doorways to increased consciousness. It is religious, it is intense, and it may be transformative. Sikh chief Yogi Bhajan introduced the follow to the West within the early 70s, though the model is impressed by and has its roots within the Tantric yoga custom.
Tantra Yoga
Tantra Yoga is usually misunderstood because it’s related to lust and sexuality. Nevertheless, similar to many different yoga types, Tantra yoga is a holistic method that teaches us about our reference to the universe. It’s extra of a religious and meditation-based follow that focuses on rituals and breathwork because the gateway to our deeper consciousness.
Throughout these lessons, self-knowledge and empowerment take the entrance seat, whereas bodily poses include standing Hatha positions and floor-based Yin positions. Throughout these lessons, anticipate chanting, chakra work, guided meditations, and breathwork.
Yin Yoga
You’ll be able to consider Yin yoga because the quiet, introspective cousin within the yoga household. Right here, the poses are held for a number of minutes, focusing on deep connective tissues and serving to enhance flexibility.
Nevertheless, at its core, Yin yoga is a meditative follow encouraging introspection and rest. If yoga had a pause button, Yin can be it. It is the right antidote to the hustle and bustle of contemporary life, because it affords a sanctuary of calm and stillness.
Enjoyable truth: Yin yoga was impressed by historic Chinese language Taoist practices the place the stretches (asanas) are held longer – a number of minutes every. Due to this, this yoga model is usually integrated into Kung Fu coaching.
In case you’re into martial arts, Yin yoga could possibly be simply the factor your physique wants. Some say that the superficial actions of the physique are the “yang,” and the meditative yoga follow is the “yin” that helps us preserve our vitality in stability.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga is remedy for the physique. You’ll be able to consider it as a restful follow that goals to revive our well-being by way of passive stretching and deep breaths. The primary distinction between restorative yoga and different stress-free and slow-pace yoga sorts is that restorative yoga depends on props and asana modifications to make the pose extra snug for the practitioner.
Restorative yoga practitioners consider that by stress-free into the poses, we will obtain bodily, psychological, and emotional aid.
The follow is comparatively new because it was developed within the US within the 70s. Impressed by the teachings of B.Ok.S Iyengar, Judith Lasater developed this model with the first aim of utilizing yoga to assist restoration from sickness or damage.
Energy Yoga
One other fashionable variation of yoga is energy yoga, which could be described because the high-energy, dynamic cousin of Ashtanga. It is a fitness-based method that places the concentrate on power and adaptability. The first aim is to make use of yoga as a vigorous health self-discipline.
The follow was invented within the 90s by two college students of Ok. Pattabhi Jois* – the daddy of contemporary Ashtanga yoga. It gained reputation when Beryl Bender Birch, one of many college students, began educating a mixture of Ashtanga Vinyasa to athletes. Since then, this model has gained traction amongst those that are principally within the bodily advantages of yoga.
Sizzling Yoga
Sizzling yoga, generally known as Bikram yoga, is practiced in a heated room. Some say that this model of yoga goals to copy the climate situations in India, the place it’s extremely popular and humid. The heat aids in flexibility and cleansing by way of extreme sweating.
Nevertheless, Bikram yoga is definitely a subtype of scorching yoga with a hard and fast collection of 26 postures practiced in a 40°C room. It was developed by Indian-American yoga guru Bikram Choudhury.*
Disclaimer: Sizzling yoga is difficult due to the recent surroundings the place it’s practiced. Due to this fact, individuals with coronary heart situations, warmth intolerances, and issues with dehydration ought to keep away from this model.
*It’s vital to say that Ok. Pattabhi Jois and Bikram Choudhury have turn into notorious for sexual assault on college students and constructing a cult-like surroundings that made it troublesome for victims to talk out. Whereas their contributions to yoga have been vital, these severe allegations and their subsequent fallout have undeniably tainted their legacies and raised vital questions concerning the ethics and governance throughout the yoga group. They continue to be a stark reminder that whereas we will study and profit from the practices developed by such figures, we should additionally preserve a vigilant and open dialogue about misconduct and abuse of energy.
Aerial Yoga
Aerial Yoga takes your follow off the bottom – actually. Utilizing a hammock or silk straps, it combines conventional yoga poses with acrobatics. It is playful, enjoyable, and affords a novel perspective on issues.
In case you ask me, aerial yoga is a tremendous instance of how yoga could be combined with different sports activities and disciplines into extra distinctive actions that encourage artistic expression.
It’s a contemporary twist to yoga however one which works completely for individuals who need to attempt new issues.
Beer Yoga, Goat Yoga, and Extra…
In in the present day’s fashionable society and its rising concentrate on wellness, bodily exercise, and health, new yoga types are rising sooner than ever. Whereas historic yoga gurus developed distinctive techniques primarily based on their insights after many years of learning historic yoga texts, fashionable instructors catering to a really totally different demographic are discovering new methods to make yoga accessible and entertaining.
This is the reason we’re seeing a rising variety of offbeat yoga types, equivalent to beer yoga or goat yoga. These yoga sorts imply precisely what the title suggests – doing classical Hatha or Vinyasa yoga whereas ingesting beer or with goats roaming round.
Whereas they might not stem from historic knowledge concerning our physique, thoughts, and vitality, they’ve turn into extraordinary emotional instruments for lowering nervousness and inspiring pleasure and happiness. For these yoga sorts, the aim is to make the practitioner really feel good greater than the rest.
What Yoga Will It Be?
In the long run, the selection of yoga model is as private as your style in music or meals. Every kind affords its personal rhythm and advantages. Whether or not you search the extreme bodily problem of Ashtanga, the flowing grace of Vinyasa, or the meditative stillness of Yin, there’s undoubtedly a yoga follow on the market that resonates together with your preferences, wants, and physique. You simply have to search out it!
Hopefully, this information has helped you make sense of the entangled internet of yoga sorts. There are various, however when you get the hold of what’s what, you’ll see that this range lets you discover one thing completely fitted to you.
If you wish to study extra about yoga, head over to our weblog, the place we now have many different guides, or try our useful tutorials.
