TYPES OF YOGA SERIES

After a day of indulgence, I make a beeline for a hot yoga class as the sweating and the increased heart rate makes me feel like I am detoxing and burning calories more than a typical yoga class. VERDICT: Hot yoga is FUN and resembles the traditional cardio workout.

Who have some level of stamina and who do not mind sweating a lot! Yoga because it defeats the principles of yoga – it has been heavilyĬommercialized, and its creators protect it by copyright. By forcing the body to sweat profusely, toxins are eliminated through the skin.Īdditionally, the extra warmth makes the body more flexible, which helps prevent injury, relieves stress, and helps aid in deeper stretching. The sauna-like environment of Bikram or hot yoga increases the intensity of the class, which is focused more on detoxifying the body rather than reaching some sort of spiritual enlightenment. Similarly, Bikram Yoga, developed by Bikram Choudhury, is taught in a heated room but requires 26 poses to be taught in a structured sequence over 90 minutes. Hot yoga is the umbrella term for yoga classes typically taught in a heated room at 105 degrees Fahrenheit and 40% humidity and is a more challenging type of yoga! I also enjoy this athletic style of yoga as it is both a workout and a “work in”. Once I was familiar with the poses, the yoga class became a meditative flow where I was able to let go of my “monkey mind” and focus on the present flow. VERDICT: As someone who dislikes doing the same thing over and over again, I was pleasantly surprised to find that Ashtanga yoga really appealed to me. Note that it is only the middle section that has a different set of poses and focuses depending on the series.ĮXPERIENCE LEVEL: Best for experienced practitioners who areįamiliar with Vinyasa or flow types of yoga

TYPES OF YOGA SERIES

Each of the six series begins with Sun Salutations (5 of the A variation and 5 of the B variation), followed by the standing sequence, middle sequence, and finishing sequence. Pose where they require further help. The teacher assists each student individually by giving physicalĪshtanga Yoga is made up of six series (Primary, Intermediate and four Advanced Series).

Students practice the Ashtanga sequence at their own pace until they get to a

MYSORE STYLE – all instruction is done one-on-one within the group class setting.

ASHTANGA LED – where a teacher prompts and guides you through the series, making.

While Vinyasa allows for creativity, Ashtangis pursue perfectionism in the poses. The strict style of Ashtanga Yoga is particularly suited for people who seek a physically demanding practice that follows a specific sequence. You never know what you really like until you give it a go.Īshtanga yoga means “8-limbed yoga”, named after the 8 limbs of yoga in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Do explore what works best for you and don’t be scared to try new styles. Here is an explanation of the 11 most popular types of yoga that are usually taught in classes. Be it to improve flexibility, ease backaches, destress, detox, enhance body strength or cardiovascular health, there is a yoga style that suits everybody. When choosing the right type of yoga style for yourself, it is crucial to keep in mind your personality, objectives, and level of experience. Yin yoga, on the other hand, helped to cool things down and bring balance to the mind, body and spirit. The first three types of yoga classes had just the right amount of strength vs cardio that got my adrenaline and endorphins up to a point that I really enjoyed.

At least when I just started practicing yoga, one of my biggest challenges was learning about the different types of yoga and figuring out which appealed most to me.Īfter exploring almost all popular styles or types of yoga classes, I realised that my favourite were Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga. Yoga can be rather confusing for those who are just starting out.

Types of yoga