Top

       alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text alt text

Various Styles of Yoga

December 28, 2009




Through the years, yoga has evolved and developed different styles based on intensity of the exercises rather than the actual method of doing it.

The differentiation is based on alignment of your body, breathing techniques practiced, coordination of breathing and asanas, the length of each pose and the way you change from one asana to the other. Let’s look at the different styles in yoga.

The Iyengar style was named after its teacher B K S Iyengar, a renowned yogi and the primary focus here is on the alignment of the body. This body alignment is the position that you form and maintain while practicing your asanas and is very important as it decides the effectiveness of the asanas.

In this style, the emphasis is on holding each asana for a long period of time as it is said to have better results when compared to changing quickly from one pose to another. He promoted the use of props like blankets that could help you practice yoga better.

Astanga yoga, a style of yoga formed by K Pattabhi literally means eight limbs. As opposed to the Iyengar style, importance is laid on how quickly you do the asanas and move from one pose to the other. The workout tends to be quite rigorous and intense as there is no break between postures and is just one asana to the other. This has been developed more recently as Power Yoga.

T V K Desikachar started the Viniyoga style based on the breathing involved in yoga and its coordination with the various poses. Though it is quite different in style from the Astanga style, there are a few similarities when it comes to changing from one pose to the other.

Viniyoga is a slow version of the Astanga style, where you can take your time to concentrate on the pose and breathing, and gradually move from one pose to the other. The pace is slow and so the stress is less.

It has a more traditional and complete outlook, and uses all the tools available like Pranayama, which helps you to meditate, regulate your breathing and in chanting. This style is slowly becoming sought after, especially amongst newcomers.


Comments

Got something to say? Join the conversation and leave a comment below.
and oh, if you want a pic to show with your comment, go get a gravatar!





Recent Articles


Irregular Menstruation
Changes in hormone levels usually result in abnormal bleeding during menstruation.


Female Infertility
Sexual dysfunction in women refers to inability to conceive. In the reproductive organs of a woman


Symptoms and Treatment for Menstrual Cramps
Menstrual cramps are something which can give many women a fright. Getting cramps is something many women dread.


Ayurveda Treatment
Ayurveda is the oldest form of natural treatment and it has its roots from India.


Causes For Baldness In Women
Baldness is not uncommon in women. Experts are of the opinion that baldness in women could be caused by Menopause or infection.


What's More today?

alt text Natural Ways to Lighten Skin

There is large variety of better ways to lighten skin. Skin is discolored because of the over production... 

alt text Female Infertility

Sexual dysfunction in women refers to inability to conceive. In the reproductive organs of a woman, the... 

alt text Cosmetics for Sensitive Skin

Sensitive skin necessitates that every cosmetic you use should be carefully checked for chemically harsh... 

alt text Skin Cleansing Tips

Typically, caring for your skin must be done in a number of ways and cleansing is one of them. These... 

alt text How to Prevent Wrinkles

Preventing wrinkles is not difficult, but you have to make a serious attempt to get rid of the lines... 

alt text Use of Olive Oil for Beautiful Skin

There are many natural herbs and oils which can be used to enhance the beauty of the skin naturally.... 

alt text Symptoms and Treatment for Menstrual Cramps

Menstrual cramps are something which can give many women a fright. Getting cramps is something many women... 

alt text Measure Your Bra Size

Brassier known popularly as bra, is essentially to cover and support breasts of a woman. Bra has straps... 

alt text Natural Treatment for Eczema

When you try to find some natural treatments for Eczema, you will come across a variety of remedies including... 

alt text Prevention of Stretch Marks During Pregnancy

During the later stages of pregnancy, almost eighty percent of women are likely to get the stretch marks.... 

alt text Infertility Treatment

Infertility drugs are prescribed for problems connected with conception in Female. Though this is an... 

alt text Home Treatment for Hair Growth

Good and healthy hairs are very important to add self confidence to the personality. There are millions... 

alt text Skin Care For Winter

Facial is not just for beautification of the face, it is also meant to protect the face. This protection... 

alt text Remedies for Dry Skin

Dry skin occurs when oil produced by oil glands is less. Some main causes for dry skin are environmental... 

alt text Facial Moisturizers

Have you ever tried the facial moisturizers that are most promoted in the media, did you end up with... 

Bottom