Skip to main content

Different types of yoga

I am often asked what is the difference between the various styles of yoga. Now that could take a long time to describe and, indeed, I might not be the most qualified person for the job, as it is a vast subject. Generally speaking any yoga where you practice Asana (poses) and Pranayama (yogic breathing) is Hatha yoga.

This is the most common form of yoga practised in the West and has many forms. Here is a brief outline of some of them:

Ashtanga (vinyasa) yoga:
Ashtanga yoga originated in Mysore and is a dynamic flowing form of yoga. Synchronizing breath and movement. Heating the body from the inside out, purifying the blood and removing toxins

Iyengar yoga:
Many poses in the BKS Iyengar system are similar to those of Ashtanga. The focus in this practice is on alignment and poses are sometimes held for long periods of time. The use of props is encouraged in this type of yoga.

Yin yoga:
Yin yoga focuses on opening the deep connective tissues and joints. It is a slow practice but works really deeply. It is thought that Yin yoga is one of the earliest forms of yoga. Sages would use this form to strengthen the body, so they could sit for long periods in meditation.

Jivamuckti:
Jivamuckti yoga classes offer dynamic yoga, alongside chanting and spiritual readings from the Sutras of Pattanjali and The Upanishads. The founder of this style of yoga are David Life and Sharon Gannon.

Kundalini yoga:
Kundalini yoga was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1969 and is a safe, comprehensive technology that can be practiced by everyone. It combines breathing, movement, stretching and sound (Naad), giving an experience of deep inner calm, self confidence and awareness.

Vinyasa Flow yoga:
A dynamic form of yoga derived from Ashtanga, which synchronizes breathing with an asana (posture) sequence very precisely.

Restorative yoga:
Blankets and bolsters are often used in restorative yoga. Poses are often held for several minutes; allowing the body to release, open and expand. Deeply nourishing and soothing the body and nervous system. Leaving the practitioner refreshed.

Comments

  1. I tried Vinyasa yoga for the first time when I went to a yoga retreat last year on holiday. I found it quite hard but good fun

    ReplyDelete

Post a Comment

All comments are moderated. If you would like to leave a comment, you can do so below.

Popular posts from this blog

Neti pot

When I was training to be a yoga teacher, one of the 6 purification techniques taught to us was Jala Neti ( also called Neti or Jaaneti). Purification techniques are sometimes performed as a way of preparing the body for a yoga practice. Whenever the neti pots came out, I disappeared, always needing to be somewhere else at that moment in time… I had many techniques to avoid it: the bathroom, the water fountain, the shop, anything but the Net. Pouring a saline solution up my hooter was really not for me and I have avoided it right up to today. I have got a steaming cold and, as a result, I now have sinus pain, so I have decided to give it another go. Talk about waiting until your back is against the wall! I rushed to the Sivanada yoga studio nearby and bought myself a ceramic neti pot and salt. I had to follow the one photographic image as the instructions were in German!!! Although I did not find it as unpleasant as some people describe, it was not as bad as I remembered. So I will us

Sharath Jois in London 2013

Sharath Jois will be in London teaching a week of primary and intermediate ashtanga yoga From 25th-30th of August- in a central London location. Booking for this will open mid May. Through  http://www.astangayogalondon.com/index2.cfm A rare and wonderful treat to have Sharath in my home town-A big thank you to  Hamish Hendry  and ashtanga yoga London for organising this. Going to have to set an alarm on my phone- as there will be a lot of takers for this....

All about the balance

A snap from inside my fridge this week. The mix of wine, beer and Vita Coca sort of sums up my family really. The ones that drink wine and beer don't go in for the coco water, and the coco water drinker doesn't go in for wine or beer. In summary, none of us need worry about the other nicking all the drinks. :-)