Yoga has been practiced for thousands of years in India and its surrounding areas. Primarily connected with Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism, Yoga is a form of meditation that allows the Yogi to unite their verbal, mental and physical energies. Lately, it has become quite popular in the West, leading to Yoga schools emerging in many cities. Yoga has many different iterations and types of practice, meaning that those that are interested in Yoga may have trouble choosing the right class for their particular needs or interests. To help, here are some descriptions of the major types of Yoga found in the West and what they can be useful for.
Hatha Yoga
Perhaps the most widely practiced form of Yoga, Hatha Yoga refers to the calmer, more meditative form of Yoga, in which various forms (positions) are used in conjunction with breathing exercises. Those interested in Hatha Yoga can expect a slower paced class, which will allow them to relax into each posture, find their breath and push themselves only as far as they would like to. Hatha Yoga is what most schools offer as their regular Yoga classes and is likely what most people would think of when they think of Yoga.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga take the same basic premise of Yoga but formalizes the various movements into a series of poses that are intended to do good to the body by realigning the spine, building strength, flexibility, agility as well as encouraging detoxification. Ashtanga is a far more rigorous form of Yoga, and requires the person practicing it to be athletic in their approach. It will definitely challenge the beginner. This type of Yoga will really benefit those people who are looking to strengthen their muscles and their joints.
Hot Yoga
This refers to the practice of any Yoga being done in a heated room. Hot Yoga is usually performed in a room that has been heated to between 95-100 Degrees and for that reason, involves a lot of sweating! There will always been variations in the classes that Hot Yoga instructors teach, but the idea behind it is that the temperature of the room allows the people within to stretch their muscles further and deepen their postures, therefore pushing themselves further and getting more out of the experience. There are also arguments that sweating allows the toxins to be evacuated from the body.
Anybody looking to begin the practice of Yoga would be wise to investigate the various types that the schools of the area advertise. Those who are looking for a more meditative and relaxing practice may want to steer clear of Ashtanga and Hot Yoga, but those looking for a challenge could definitely find it within the heated room. Either way, most Yoga schools will offer an introductory deal at a discounted price which should allow prospective students to make their own judgments.
Source
About.Com – Yoga
Stuart Cooke - After being born and raised in the South of England, Stu moved to Bermuda for his teenage years. This was to shape his future, first ...
