There
are many different styles of yoga being taught and practiced today. Although
all of the styles are based on the same physical postures (called poses), each
has a particular emphasis.
HATHA
Hatha
is a very general term that can encompass many of the physical types of yoga.
If a class is described as Hatha style, it is probably going to be a slow-paced
and gentle stretching class with some simple breathing exercises and perhaps
seated meditation. This is a good place to learn basic poses, experience
healing, relaxation techniques, and become comfortable with yoga.
Is
Hatha Yoga for You?
Many
people try a hatha class and love the relaxed feeling, others decide that yoga
is too slow and meditative for them. If you fall in the later category, try
vinyasa next time for a completely different experience.
IYENGAR
Based
on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is most
concerned with bodily alignment. In yoga, the word alignment is used to
describe the precise way in which your body should be positioned in each pose
in order to obtain the maximum benefits and avoid injury. Iyengar practice
usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from
one pose to the next (flow). Also, Iyengar practice encourages the use of
props, such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps, in order to bring the body
into alignment.
SIVANANDA
Sivananda
Yoga, after teachings of Swami Sivananda, is a non-proprietary form of hatha
yoga in which the training focuses on preserving the health and wellness of the
practitioner. Sivananda Yoga teachers are all graduates of the Sivananda Yoga
Teacher Training Course, and students widely range in age and degrees of
ability. Unlike Ashtanga/Vinyasa yoga's more athletic program involving
Bandhas, Sivananda training revolves around frequent relaxation, and emphasizes
full, yogic breathing.
The Sivananda
training system aims to retain the vitality of the body, retard the decaying
process, and decrease chance of disease, by simply and naturally cultivating
the body. The system philosophies are summarized in 5 principles:
* Proper breathing: Pranayama
* Exercise: Asanas
* Relaxation: Savasana
* Diet: Vegetarian. A yogic
diet is encouraged, limited to sattvic foods, void of rajasic foods as well as
tamasic foods
* Positive thinking and
meditation: Vedanta and Dhyana
Classes
A
session of training typically starts with every practitioner resting in
Savasana, and begin with Kapalabhati and Anuloma Viloma, preceding rounds of
Sūrya namaskāra, before the standard program of the 12 basic asanas. A session
averages 90 minutes, and the traditional program may be followed flexibly by
the instructor, allowing for some variation.
ASHTANGA
Ashtanga
(also spelled Astanga) means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, which refers
to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.The Ashtanga method of asana practice
was interpreted by Krishnamacharya and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from an ancient
text called the Yoga Korunta, which described a unique system of hatha yoga
developed by Vamana Rishi.
Ashtanga,
is a fast-paced, intense style of yoga. A set series of poses is performed,
always in the same order. Ashtanga practice is very physically demanding
because of the constant movement from one pose to the next. In yoga
terminology, this movement is called flow. Ashtanga is also the inspiration for
what is often called Power Yoga. If a class is described as Power Yoga, it will
be based on the flowing style of Ashtanga, but not necessarily keep strictly to
the set Ashtanga series of poses.
Who was Pattabhi Jois?
Pattabhi
Jois was born in 1915, he began his studies with
Krishnamacharaya in Mysore, India at the age of 12. He became the leading
practitioner and teacher of Ashtanga yoga, which is a set series of poses done
in a flowing Vinyasa style.
In
1958, Pattabhi Jois published his treatise on Ashtanga yoga, Yoga Mala. There
are six different Ashtanga series through which a student progresses at his or
her own pace.
The Ashtanga
method stresses daily Vinyasa flow practice using ujjayi breathing, mula
bandha, uddiyana bandha, and drishti.
Ashtanga
Classes: Led and Self-Led
Many
yoga studios offer led Ashtanga classes, meaning a teacher leads the class and
instructs students in the order of the poses, usually in the primary or
secondary series. Once students know the order of poses very well, they may
often opt for self-led, or Mysore style practice. This is an opportunity for
students to practice at their own pace and level of ability, but in the company
of other students and with the encouragement and advice of a teacher, as needed.
Ashtanga is also an ideal foundation for home practitioners, once they know the
sequence of poses.
Is Ashtanga
for You?
Ashtanga
yoga is extremely popular. It is a vigorous, athletic style of practice. It
appeals to those who like a sense of order and who like to do things
independently.
VINYASA Power Flow
Like
Hatha, Vinyasa is a general term that is used to describe many different types
of classes The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” In other
words, the teacher will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an
inhale or an exhale. This technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or
just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like
a dance.It tends to be a vigorous
style based on the performance of a series of poses called Sun Salutations, in
which each movement in the series is done on an inhalation or an exhalation.
A Vinyasa
class will typically start with a number of Sun Salutations to warm up the body
for more intense stretching that's done at the end of class.
What
To Expect From a Vinyasa Class
This
style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun
Salutations. If your yoga class schedule lists a Vinyasa class, expect
movement, not just stretching. Whether the class is fast or slow, includes
chanting, or is very alignment-oriented will depend on the individual teacher.
Some very popular yoga styles, such as Ashtanga and Power Yoga, make use of the
Vinyasa method, but they will be listed on a class schedule by their individual
names.
What
Does “Go Through Your Vinyasa" Mean?
When
Vinyasa is used as a noun, it describes a series of three poses that are done
as part of a Sun Salutation sequence. When the teacher says, "go through
the Vinyasa at your own pace," she means do Plank, Chaturanga, and Upward
Facing Dog.
Is Vinyasa
Yoga for You?
Vinyasa’s
strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or
sequence that teachers must follow, so there is a lot of room for individual
personalities and quirks to come through. This makes it essential that you find
a teacher you enjoy and can relate to. If your first Vinyasa class doesn’t rock
your world, keep trying different teachers. If you enjoy having things a little
loose and unpredictable and like to move, Vinyasa is probably right for you.
