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YOGA
PRACTICE by STYLE |
Ananda
Ananda Yoga is a classical style of hatha yoga that uses asana
and pranayama to awaken, experience, and begin to control the
subtle energies within oneself, especially the energies of the
chakras. Its object is to use those energies to harmonize body,
mind, and emotions, and above all to attune oneself with higher
levels of awareness. One unique feature of this system is the
use of silent affirmations while in the asanas as a means of working
more directly and consciously with the subtle energies to achieve
this attunement. Ananda Yoga is a relatively gentle, inward experience,
not an athletic or aerobic practice. It was developed by Swami
Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, author
of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi. |
Anusara
Anusara (a-nu-SAR-a) means, "to step into the current of Divine
Will", "following your heart", "flowing with
Grace", "to move with the current of divine will."
A new style developed by John Friend, Anusara yoga is described
as heart-oriented, spiritually inspiring, yet grounded in a deep
knowledge of outer and inner body alignment. Each student’s
various abilities and limitations are deeply respected and honored. |
Ashtanga
For those who want a serious 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. |
Bikram
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 |
Hatha
Is a general expression for any kind of yoga that includes the practice
of postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama) to energize
the subtle channels (nadis), removing obstacles to Samadhi or non-duality. |
Integral
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. |
Iyengar
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. |
Jivamukti
The Jivamukti Yoga method is a style of Yoga created by David Life
and Sharon Gannon. It is a vigorously physical and intellectually
stimulating practice leading to spiritual awareness. It promotes
the educational aspect of the practice and gives students access
to where these ideas have come from. Each class focuses on a theme,
which is supported by Sanskrit chanting, readings, references to
scriptural texts, music (from the Beatles to Moby), spoken word,
asana sequencing and yogic breathing practices. |
Kali
Ray TriYoga
Kali Ray TriYoga, founded by Kali Ray, brings posture, breath and
focus together to create dynamic and intuitive flows. The Tri Yoga
flows combine flowing and sustained postures that emphasize spinal
wavelike movements, economy of motion, and synchronization with
breath and mudra. The flows are systematized by level and can be
as gentle or as challenging as desired. Students may progress from
basics to advanced as they increase their flexibility, strength,
endurance and knowledge of the flows. |
Kripalu
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. |
Kundalini
Kundalini yoga in the tradition of Yogi Bhajan, who brought the
style to the West in 1969, focuses on the controlled release of
Kundalini energy. The practice involves classic poses, breath, coordination
of breath and movement, meditation. |
Power
is a common term for yoga that is physically challenged and it may
or may not emphasize breath. I concentrates more on the practice
of postures (asanas). This is an expression for yoga done at the
gyms or fitness places. |
Sivananda
Sivananda is one of the world's largest schools of yoga. Developed
by Vishnu-devananda 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. |
Svaroopa
Yoga
Developed by Rama Berch, Svaroopa Yoga teaches significantly different
ways of doing familiar poses, emphasizing the opening of the spine
by beginning at the tailbone and progressing through each spinal
area in turn. Every pose integrates the foundational principles
of asana, anatomy and yoga philosophy, and emphasizes the development
of transcendent inner experience, which is called svaroopa by Patanjali
in the Yoga Sutras. This is a consciousness-oriented yoga that also
promotes healing and transformation. Svaroopa is not an athletic
endeavor, but a development of consciousness using the body as a
tool. |
Viniyoga
Viniyoga is not so much a style as it is a methodology for developing
practices for individual conditions and purposes. This is the approach
developed by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya, teacher of well-known contemporary
masters B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devi, and continued
by his son, T.K.V. Desikachar. Key characteristic of the asana practice
are the careful integration of the flow of breath with movement
of the spine, with sequencing, adaptations and intensity dependent
upon the overall context and goals. Function is stressed over form.
Practices may also include pranayama, meditation, reflection, study
and other classic elements. Personal practices are taught privately.
Given the scope of practice, the inherent therapeutic applications
and the heritage of the lineage, the training requirements for teacher
certification are extensive. |
Vinyasa
Here the yoga postures flow in carefully balanced sequences. The
breath leads the way and the consciousness explores the body. This
is Vinyasa, a state of Grace. Vinyasa Yoga sequences are carefully
balanced movements of consciousness, body and breath, where postures
flow from one to another in coordination with the flow of breath. |
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