confused by so many many types of yoga?
here are some examples and a brief (maybe not so) explanation...
i. Hatha yoga
What most people refer to as simply "yoga" is actually Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga is a system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a yogic sage in the 15th century in India. This particular system of yoga is the most popular one, and it is from which several other Styles of Yoga originated including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga. The word "hatha" comes from the Sanskrit terms "ha" meaning "sun" and "tha" meaning "moon”. Hatha yoga emphasizes the opposing forces I the body such as masculine energy and feminine energy, left and right, inhalation and exhalation, joy and sadness, and so on, thereby restoring the body to to its natural equilibrium. Forward bends are followed by backward bends, standing postures by the inversion, contractions by expansions, and movement to the left by movement to the right. It concentrates on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayama) steps in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. Hatha Yoga tries to achieve balance between body and mind, as well as attempts to free the more subtle spiritual elements of the mind through physical poses or Asanas, Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, and Meditation.
ii. Yin yoga
Yin yoga is a quiet and profound practice of relaxed floor posture that is help for 3 to 5 minutes. It combines the theories derived from Taoism as well as Chinese medicine and beliefs.
Nowadays most of us are familiar with the term’s yin and yang, although many people are unsure exactly what they mean. Yin and Yang are a pair of opposites that complement one another. Objects that are Yang in nature are usually higher brighter more superficial, masculine, more mobile and more elastic. Those we might describe, as Yin would be more earth bound, lower discrete, hidden, more feminine, less mobile and less elastic.
Yin yoga would be used to complement more active practices, alongside an active yoga practice or by people who maybe have a muscle orientated workout down at the gym.
Most styles of yoga are yang in nature, they focus on improving the flexibility as well as strength of muscle tissues. Muscle tissue is Yang in nature; it is very elastic and is made up of around 70 percent fluid. When we work our muscle tissues, this raises to about 90 percent.
Tissues that would be described as Yin include the deep connective tissues of the body, ligaments fascia and the bones themselves, these do not have the same fluid content and are therefore less mobile and less elastic. Connective tissues shrink-wrap our joints and this is necessary and appropriate when we are doing an active yoga practice. It prevents injury and protects the joints. But in our Yin practice we are still and passive so we are able to actually stretch the joints and the connective tissues surrounding them. Helping our joints to stay moist and supple into our old age rather than drying out and becoming stiff and immobile.
iii. Ashtanga yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga is the Style of Yoga developed by K. Pattabhi Jois. It literally means Eight Limb Yoga and revolves in Pattanjali's idea that the path of purification is composed of eight spiritual practices. (Refer to the Eight Limbs of Yoga)
Asthanga is a vigorous form that builds up intense heat, intended to purify the muscle and organs, expel impurities and release hormones to nourish the skin. The fast sequences originally kept warriors fit, and they are an all-round exercise for flexibility, strength and cardiovascular fitness.
iv. Yogilates
Yogilates is created by certified Pilates and Yoga instructor Jonathan Urla, Yogilates fuses Hatha Yoga and Pilates to give practitioners “more rapid and balanced development of their bodies than when either discipline is performed separately.”
German-born Joseph H. Pilates (1880-1968) introduced Pilates to the United States in 1926. Pilates improves flexibility of the spine, posture, breathing and alignment. Some believe that it strengthens the core better than any exercise ever invented. Important elements include: the placement of the breath in the ribs, articulating the spine, stabilizing the pelvis and shoulders for better balance and an emphasis on linking movements together in a graceful and flowing way. This helps to develop coordination and concentration. Although the focus of Pilates centers on flexibility, strength and balance, practitioners walk away with a long, lean and toned body.Its difference from yoga is that it focuses less on the breathing and more on the physical movements.
Though there are differences, posture, flexibility, coordination, and balance are all achievable in both Yoga and Pilates.
Through the ingenious combination of pilates and yoga, the result is an overall fitness workout that strengthens the body and relaxes the mind. A session is often 75-minute long. Usually accompanying by a soothing music, yogilates is lead by the instructor in a step-by-step series of floor exercises that involves mat work exercises of yoga and pilates. When the body is warmed-up from this, the session will then advance to a more challenging standing work. The culminating activity is a deep and relaxing meditation. Yogilates relieves stress, helps you gain coordination and balance, lose weight, and allows you to relax all at the same time. In a nutshell Yogilates brings precise alignment, core strength and knowledge from exercise science to the postures of yoga for added safety and a greater transformative effect.
v. Others
• Contact yoga is practiced with a partner, requiring good co-operation and balance
• Bikiram yoga consists of movements in a room heated to above body temperature to allow the muscle to stretch more while impurities are washed out on a tide of perspiration
• Dru yoga is a very gentle, peaceful form that includes relaxation and working as a group
• Iyengar yoga is the best known form outside India. Detailed poses (asanas) are carried out with great attention to technique
• Kundalini yoga is an esoteric form that aims for enlightenment through the release of the energy up the spine. This is achieved through stretching, breathing exercise, chanting and meditation.
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