| |
Styles of Yoga
Yoga literally means union. It is a spiritual practice the goal of which is to unite the human being with the spiritual center. It is not a religion. Yogis (male) and Yoginis (female) practice yoga in order to uplift, purify and enlighten.
There are many benefits associated with the practice of yoga including a calm peaceful mind, strong flexible body and stamina. The health benefits attributed to this age old system developed in Central Asia are numerous as it specifically targets the nervous system, endocrine system, cardiovascular system and musculo-skeletal system. |
| |
Anusara means "flowing with Grace"," flowing with Nature", "following your heart." Anusara yoga's remarkable growth is due to in large part to its uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart" that looks for the good in al people and all things. Founded by John Fiend in 1997, Anusara yoga is a school of hatha yoga, which is grounded in a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness and each class has a heart-oriented theme. Methodology incorporates the Universal Principles of Alignment with the breath, yoga props and demonstrations and personal alignment when needed. The harmony of the Anusara yoga community is also maintained by adhering to a set of ethical guidelines. All Anusara yoga teachers are required to follow these ethical guidelines in order to maintain their teaching license as an Anusara yoga teacher.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
For those who want a strenuous workout, Ashtanga may be the perfect yoga. Developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga is physically demanding. Participants move through a series of flows, jumping from one posture to another to build strength, flexibility and stamina. It's not for beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely approach to fitness. The so-called Power Yoga is based on Ashtanga.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Bikram Choudhury's yoga is hot, hot, hot, so be prepared to sweat, sweat, sweat. In class, they crank the thermostat up high, then perform a series of 26 asanas, sometimes twice, that is designed to "scientifically" warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons in the order in which they should be stretched. Founder Bikram Choudhury studied yoga with Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda.
{back to top}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
Developed by Swami Satchidananda, the man who taught the crowds at the original Woodstock to chant "Om," Integral classes put almost as much emphasis on pranayama and meditation as they do on postures. Integral yoga is used by Dr. Dean Ornish in his groundbreaking work on reversing heart disease.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Ever think standing was just a matter of keeping your body on top of your legs? It's hard to appreciate how involved a simple thing like just standing can be, how much concentration and how many subtle movements and adjustments it takes, until you take an Iyengar yoga class. Of course, the point is that you're not just standing. You're doing Tadasana, Mountain pose, and in yoga in the style of B.K.S. Iyengar, Tadasana is an active pose. B.K.S. Iyengar is one of the best-known yoga teachers and the creator of one of the most popular styles of yoga in the world. His style of yoga is noted for great attention to detail and the precise alignment of postures, as well as the use of props such as blocks and belts. No doubt part of Iyengar's success is due to the quality of teachers, who must complete a rigorous 2-5 year training program for certification.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Called the yoga of consciousness, Kripalu puts great emphasis on proper breath, alignment, coordinating breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body" -- you work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength. Alignment follows awareness. Students learn to focus on the physical and psychological reactions caused by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. There are three stages in Kripalu yoga. Stage One focuses on learning the postures and exploring your bodies abilities. Stage Two involves holding the postures for an extended time, developing concentration and inner awareness. Stage Three is like a meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another arises unconsciously and spontaneously.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Kundalini yoga in the tradition of Yogi Bhajan, who brought the style to the West in 1969. Before that time it was only taught in a master to student lineage and was known only by dedicated deciples of the master. It focuses on the controlled release of Kundalini energy. The practice involves classic poses, breath, coordination of breath and movement, meditation.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
Sivananda is one of the world's largest schools of yoga. Developed by Vishnudevananda and named for his teacher, Sivananda yoga follows a set structure that includes pranayama, classic asanas, and relaxation. Vishnu-devananda wrote one of the contemporary yoga classics, The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga. First published in 1960, the book is still one of the best introductions to yoga available.
{back to top}
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------
|
The most widely practiced form of yoga in America. It is the branch of yoga which concentrates on physical health and mental well-being. Hatha yoga uses bodily postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation (dyana) with the goal of bringing about a sound, healthy body and a clear, peaceful mind. There are nearly 200 hatha yoga postures, with hundreds of variations, which work to make the spine supple and to promote circulation in all the organs, glands, and tissues. Hatha yoga postures also stretch and align the body, promoting balance and flexibility.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
TriYoga is a complete yoga method. The inspiration and guidance for the TriYoga Flows comes from yogini Kali Ray's direct experience of kriyavati (kundalini manifesting on the plane of hatha yoga). In the TriYoga Flows, breath and focus are united with flowing and sustained postures in systematized series. Since the method is systematic, students can progress from Basics to Level 1 and then to subsequent levels as they increase their flexibility, strength, endurance and knowledge. Through sustained awareness on all aspects of the practice, the inner flow naturally emerges. This trinity practice is by the nature of its origin, deeply meditative and transformative.
{back to top}
------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
|
|
|
