Major Yoga Styles

Yoga could be simply described as a mean to unite body, mind and soul. Yoga includes a number of asanas (yoga poses or postures), chants (sound of yoga or yoga music) and different breathing patterns. A number of people practice yoga as a form of exercise. In order to practice yoga a number of different styles of yoga exist. Different styles of yoga focus on the different yoga poses and serve a different purpose (meditation, relaxation, body flexibility and strength) for the practitioner. Given below is the brief description of some common yoga styles.

Common Styles Of Yoga

Hatha Style

Almost all styles of yoga take their root from the hatha style yoga. Hatha is a Sanskrit word where ha means sum and tha means moon. The main focus of hatha style yoga is on such yoga postures that help in developing control of the body. The hatha style yoga is considered to be one of the best yoga style for the beginners as its poses and postures are slower and gentle.

Iyengar Style

This is the best style of yoga for the beginners as it uses blocks and a belt while practicing different postures. These items prove to be of great help for the beginners. The main emphasis of the postures of this yoga style is on the structural alignment of the body. Also a major difference of Iyengar from other yoga styles is that in place of changing the postures quickly it focuses on holding the postures for long.

Kundalini Style

The emphasis of this yoga style is on chants and some breathing patterns. Yoga poses are focused the last. This yoga style is about releasing the energy present in lower part of the body by bringing it up. A properly qualified yoga teacher is needed to teach this form of yoga. Fast and repetitive movements are used along with some breathing patterns to go about this style of yoga.

Bikram Style

This yoga style is also known as hot yoga. As yoga practice is done in a preheated room with a temperature ranging from 85 to 100 degree. 26 yoga poses are practiced one after the other but always in same order. When this exercise is done in this hot and humid environment every pore of the yogic body pours sweat which result in the cleansing of the whole body. Before adopting this yoga style the practitioner must consult a doctor in order to avoid future health problems.

Ashtanga Style

This is one of the toughest styles among different styles of yoga. As a number of fast and hard movements are performed in a sequential manner. The movements are also linked with some fixed breathing styles. Most famous power yoga takes its route from this yoga style.

Tantra Style

Tantra like all other forms of the yoga focuses on the relaxation, comfort and health element of the practitioner. It is said that nude yoga took its route from Tantra yoga style. Practicing yoga naked is related to Tantra because Tantra could be performed without clothes as it focuses on the sexual nature of person.

Another style of yoga that is becoming very popular theses days in west is doggie style yoga. In a doggie style yoga class practitioners come with their pet dogs for yoga. It’s a fun as well as a healthy exercise for both human and dogs. People in a doggie style yoga class practice traditional yoga posses while keeping in touch with their pets. Even these pets sometimes act as yoga props and give some support to the yogic. It is like partner yoga where both the parties are involved.