Styles of Hatha Yoga
Today, there is a vast array of hatha yoga styles from which to choose, and new practices seem to gain popularity on a regular basis. Here are a few of the many styles of yoga that you might encounter at a yoga studio or through private training with a yoga teacher.
Anusara yoga combines the life -affirming and life-enhancing Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness with clear, precise biomechanical principles of alignment. Anusara yoga is a community-based style of hatha yoga that celebrates the heart.
Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, as created by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is an ancient system of posture sequences linked together by breath and movement to create strength, flexibility and stamina. Ashtanga Vinyasa classes are fast-paced and typically not appropriate for beginning or inexperienced practitioners.
Bikram yoga, created by Bikram Choudhury, is a vigorous series of 26 poses, always performed in the same order, in a studio heated to about 1050F. Come to class hydrated and bring extra water and a towel.
Hatha yoga can encompass many styles of yoga, but is usually slower moving than Vinyasa and Power yoga classes, with an emphasis on integrating breath with the physical poses.
Hot yoga is an adaptation of Bikram yoga. Hot yoga is performed in a room heated to 85 – 1050F. Hot yoga is vigorous and may or may not follow the same sequence of postures each class. See Power yoga.
Integral yoga, developed by Swami Satchidananda, features an equal mix of physical postures, pranayama and meditation.
Iyengar yoga, created by B.K.S. Iyengar, emphasizes precise alignment and uses props to ensure proper execution of physical postures.
Kundalini yoga, in the tradition of Yogi Bhajan, combines physical postures, chanting, breathing and meditation to awaken your channels of energy, create balance, and elevate your consciousness. Kundalini yoga is specifically designed to awaken kundalini energy, which is stored at the base of the spine.
Power yoga is a vigorous sequence of postures linking breath and movement. Power yoga is also called Power Vinyasa yoga and Power Flow yoga. Power yoga may or may not be performed in a heated room. Other forms of Power yoga include Baptiste Power yoga and Hot yoga.
Viniyoga is a gentle, slow-paced flow yoga created by Sri T. Krishnamacharya and continued by his son, T.K.V. Desikachar. Viniyoga is a methodology to provide individuals with specific practices based on their unique conditions and goals; therefore, Viniyoga is taught privately.
Vinyasa Flow classes feature dynamic movement through postures with an emphasis on using the breath to transition between poses. Also called Vinyasa yoga and Flow yoga.
Yin yoga features holding deep postures in order to provide elasticity to connective tissue. Typically, each pose is held for 3 – 10 minutes.
Anusara yoga combines the life -affirming and life-enhancing Tantric philosophy of intrinsic goodness with clear, precise biomechanical principles of alignment. Anusara yoga is a community-based style of hatha yoga that celebrates the heart.
Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga, as created by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is an ancient system of posture sequences linked together by breath and movement to create strength, flexibility and stamina. Ashtanga Vinyasa classes are fast-paced and typically not appropriate for beginning or inexperienced practitioners.
Bikram yoga, created by Bikram Choudhury, is a vigorous series of 26 poses, always performed in the same order, in a studio heated to about 1050F. Come to class hydrated and bring extra water and a towel.
Hatha yoga can encompass many styles of yoga, but is usually slower moving than Vinyasa and Power yoga classes, with an emphasis on integrating breath with the physical poses.
Hot yoga is an adaptation of Bikram yoga. Hot yoga is performed in a room heated to 85 – 1050F. Hot yoga is vigorous and may or may not follow the same sequence of postures each class. See Power yoga.
Integral yoga, developed by Swami Satchidananda, features an equal mix of physical postures, pranayama and meditation.
Iyengar yoga, created by B.K.S. Iyengar, emphasizes precise alignment and uses props to ensure proper execution of physical postures.
Kundalini yoga, in the tradition of Yogi Bhajan, combines physical postures, chanting, breathing and meditation to awaken your channels of energy, create balance, and elevate your consciousness. Kundalini yoga is specifically designed to awaken kundalini energy, which is stored at the base of the spine.
Power yoga is a vigorous sequence of postures linking breath and movement. Power yoga is also called Power Vinyasa yoga and Power Flow yoga. Power yoga may or may not be performed in a heated room. Other forms of Power yoga include Baptiste Power yoga and Hot yoga.
Viniyoga is a gentle, slow-paced flow yoga created by Sri T. Krishnamacharya and continued by his son, T.K.V. Desikachar. Viniyoga is a methodology to provide individuals with specific practices based on their unique conditions and goals; therefore, Viniyoga is taught privately.
Vinyasa Flow classes feature dynamic movement through postures with an emphasis on using the breath to transition between poses. Also called Vinyasa yoga and Flow yoga.
Yin yoga features holding deep postures in order to provide elasticity to connective tissue. Typically, each pose is held for 3 – 10 minutes.