What are the different types of yoga?
Do you know your Hatha from your kundalini? Well, if you've ever been unsure what to expect before you start a class or wondering which type of yoga is for you, then we'll explain all.
History of yoga
Yoga's origins trace back to northern India. Over 5,000 years ago, yoga was first written in the Rig Veda.
Since then, different branches and teachings have taken this ancient practice in unique directions. Many still stick to yoga's original meaning, to yoke or provide union between the mind, body, and soul - a few other recent additions are a little out there - (goat yoga, we're looking at you).
What are the main types of yoga?
Hatha yoga
At Rural Yoga, we teach Hatha yoga classes. By that, we mean you can expect a series of postures (asanas) and breathing practices (pranayama).
Hatha is often a slower pace of class than ashtanga or vinyasa, yet it has more flow than a yin class. Hatha aims to balance the body and the mind, and we take that from the name Hatha. Together, Hatha means force - separately, it means sun (ha) and moon (tha).
Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga is a more dynamic and almost athletic form of Hatha yoga. Since the late 1990s, ashtanga has become one of the most popular forms of yoga in western society and demands a rather intense level of physical strength, flexibility, and endurance.
An ashtanga class is made up of six series (also known as levels) with a set sequence of postures. The part I most enjoy about Ashtanga is that you can get to know what to expect from the sequence of class, yet have a unique practice. By working through the series, you can become entranced within this moving meditation and take stock of how your mind and body changes with it.
Bikram or hot yoga
In a Bikram class, you'll experience 26 set poses in a 105-degree room taught by a Bikram-certified instructor.
If you aren't aware of the controversy around Bikram, then I'd suggest making yourself familiar with it. Because of his questionable ethics, many venues and classes are dropping the Bikram name for hot yoga due to the similar environment, yet I'm sure a different sequence of postures.
Hot yoga is yoga in a hot room. After experiencing a few different venues, I must say that I most enjoyed the hot pod yoga version. I did find that I could stretch further with the added heat, but I'd be cautious as a beginner as you don't want to overreach and injure yourself!
Iyengar yoga
Iyengar is named after and developed by B. K. S. Iyengar. You may have come across one of his books, his bestseller being Light on Yoga.
Iyenger has an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment. It led the way in using props to assist students within an asana without putting them at risk of injury to achieve effective alignment to find the balance between the body, mind, and breath.
Kundalini yoga
Kundalini involves chanting, singing, breathing exercises, and repetitive poses. Its purpose is to activate your spiritual energy, located at the base of your spine, known as Kundalini energy or shakti.
Kundalini is supposed to enhance your awareness and help you move past your ego. It is most associated with Yogi Bhajan, credited with introducing the practice to Western countries in the 1960s. You may see or hear references to a snake in Kundalini. That's because the Sanskrit word kundal means circular and refers to a coiled snake, which is likened to unawakened energy that the practice aims to rise.
Restorative yoga
Restorative yoga is all about slowing down and opening your body through passive stretching. It focuses on restoring particular ailments that need healing.
If you take a restorative class, you may hardly move at all, doing just a few postures over an hour.
Yin yoga
A Yin yoga class usually consists of a series of long-held, passive floor poses (around five minutes) that mainly work the lower part of the body – the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine.
Yin works deeply into the body and is almost entirely passive, although some Yin asanas contain Yang elements. It targets deep tissues of the body, unlike other forms of yoga that target muscles.
Connective tissues
Ligaments
Joints
Bones
The deep fascia networks of the body and the meridians.
Energetically, Yin yoga improves the energy flow, enhancing the flow of chi in the organs. To be healthy, we need healthy organs as well as healthy muscles.
Is it always yoga?
Aside from the most well known or established types of yoga, there's always something new to catch your eye.
At Barefoot festival, I loved the Shakti yoga dance class. It was honestly magical. I also tried laughing yoga, which was an experience, and I can see it as a great ice breaker if nothing else. I've never tried goat yoga, but I don't see it harming the yoga community. It gets people interested, outside, or connecting with nature, then what's the harm? Beer yoga, though - I'm not entirely sure is honouring the ancient practice - but I'll continue to practise my none judgment on that!
Let me know what you think! I also believe what type of yoga you need and enjoy can change over time.
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