Did you know that there are different styles of yoga? In Shape’s March 2013 issue Mallory Creveling writes, “ Whether you aim to stretch tight muscles, sculpt a sleek physique or simply unwind after a crazy day, there’s a yoga discipline for you. Although the practice began as hatha (a series of asanas, or poses) more than 600 years ago in India, there are now hundreds of varieties. “They primarily differ in terms of pace, energy level, athleticism, and time spent meditating,” says yogi Cameron Alborizian, author of The One Plan and guru to stars like Ellen DeGeneres & Maria Menounos. Here’s a list of four popular styles:
Kundalini: In this spiritually-focused class, you can still expect to perform poses like seated spinal twist, shoulder stand, and bow, but part of the session is also spent practicing “breath of fire” (rhythmically breathing through your nose while pushing out and pulling in your belly). According to the practice’s creator, this circulates energy from the base of your spine to the crown of your head, which helps clear your mind.
Iyengar: You’ll get a deep stretch during this slow-paced practice, which focuses on proper alignment and breath control. Props like blocks, blankets, & straps are used to help you get into postures without straining; once in position, you’ll often hold poses for several minutes. Research shows that regularly doing Iyengar may significantly reduce aches and pains, and decrease depression as well.
Ashtanga: This powerful style is all about going with the flow. You’ll match your breath to your movements, performing the first part of each continuous posture sequence on inhale & transitioning to the next on an exhale. Athletes may prefer Ashtanga: It includes a specific series of hatha’s most strenuous asanas to boost muscle strength and endurance.
Bikram: Bikram consists of 26 challenging poses done in a room heated to approximately 105 degrees. The steamy temp increases flexibility and amps up your heart rate—which makes it risky for those with cardiac issues. Devotees claim that all the seating removes toxins from the body. Be sure to drink lots of water before and after class, and stop if you feel dizzy.
Don’t know where to start? Think through what you need by researching your needs. I (Litsa) personally enjoy the deep stretches of yoga at a slow-paced speed that allows me to concentrate on proper form as Iyengar does! Some great Yoga DVD’s to start with are the one’s from Rodney Yee.
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