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A Guide to Yoga Styles
by Janine Galati, Exercise Physiologist, Personal Health Consultant

Yoga means union. The power of yoga is like listening to the silent roar of the sea. In its silence lay peace & tranquility, soothing to the deepest level of your being. Its roar can pull open your heart and mind to the possibilities of life and living.

Over 2000 years ago an ancient sage named Patanjali described the process of Yogic movement towards higher consciousness and peace in his treatise "The Yoga Sutras." His teachings are a living, practical model that, once understood, can be applied to all aspects of life-today. They serve to deepen the awareness of our relationship to ourselves, to others, and to our environment. With the popularization of yoga in recent years here is some background information about yoga, and how you can best utilize yoga in your life to help you decrease stress and enhance your lifestyle, your physical health and your mental well being.

Yoga Chikista. What is it? How to adapt your yoga practice to accommodate injuries or physical limitations. Click here for article.

Yoga Chitta. The state of mind you bring to yoga. Click here for article.

Hatha Yoga. The definition of Hatha Yoga is: yoga in which the aim is to unify the two energies of Ha (the left) and tha (the right), and merge them into susumna in the center of the spine; it is the merging of these energies that is the essence of Hatha Yoga.

Asana means posture. Asana was originally used to prepare people for sitting in meditation. It is believed in India that you can not attain total enlightenment (Samadhi) unless you also attain physical perfection. So, along with the spiritual devotional aspects of yoga came Asana, to help burn off the physical energy and prepare the body-mind for Samadhi (total mental-physical and spiritual harmony or total enlightment).
There are several levels of Asana classes which range from low intensity to high intensity--energizing to totally relaxing. For the sake of simplicity, I will refer to them as either Active forms (moderate to high intensity) or Restorative forms (low to moderate intensity). There are many variations and types of HathaYoga however, I will identify several of the most popular forms of yoga practiced today. Remember that all Asana classes are designed to enhance mind-body consciousness, (I guess you could say yoga is exercise with consciousness or awareness) to increase strength, flexibility and agility (physical perfection-right?). But, with respect to the physicality--Here are some guidelines which might be helpful in identifying which type of yoga is appropriate for your needs.

Utilize the principles of F.I.T.T.
Example: For Beginners
Frequency 1 to 3 times per week
Intensity --Low to Moderate
Type--Yoga
Time--60 to 90 minutes.

Recommendations:


Ashtanga Yoga or Power Yoga (Active-Highly Dynamic Form) has become a very popular cult yoga in places like New York, LA and Colorado. Its a high energy, highly dynamic yoga which requires great amounts of strength and dexterity to handle its rigorous, dynamic pace. Ashtanga means eight limbs or divisions. These eight divisions are Yama (restraint-we could all use a little of that), Niyama (Observances-or self awareness), Asana (Postures-the yoga class) Pranayama (breath control-how you breath, Prana is life force), Pratyahara (turning the mind inward-self reflection), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) Samadhi (total enlightenment-mind body and spirit). These eight limbs are referred to in all hatha yoga practices as the philosophical basis for practice. These eight limbs are the focus of a daily practice.

An Ashtangie (those who practice regularly) will practice anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours. Things to look for: The hallmark of an Ashtanga Yoga or Power yoga class is the constant flow or swift pace of non stop movements (known as vinyasas or connecting movements-usually the sun salutation), the use of deep ujjayi
(u-jai-e) breathing and the use of bandhas or locks to help intensify the effects of the postures through building internal heat in the body. Effects: energizing, highly stimulating, develops full body strength and flexibility and mental focus.
 

There are at least 18 different styles of Yoga available world wide. Including: Astro Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Structural Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Acu Yoga, Ananda Yoga, Ishta Yoga, Tri Yoga, Hidden language Yoga, White Lotus Yoga, Integral Yoga, Tri Yoga, Bikram's Yoga, Urban Yoga, Somatic Yoga, Phoenix Rising Yoga, Yoga therapy, Kripalu Yoga, Sky Yoga, Jivamukti Yoga, Viniyoga, and Yokibics. Styles described in this article are those most available in our area. 


Janine Galati is an Exercise Physiologist & a Personal Health Consultant with a Speciality in Movement Education and Therapeutic Exercise. She teaches Pilates at Alternative Health & Fitness Concepts® in Center City, Phila and is a student of Yoga.


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