Types Of Yoga – Here we share the various types which are beneficial to your health and can have magical effects on your well being and overall lifestyle
Yoga is a great knowledge that has been passed down through generations in India. Unfortunately, as time passed, it lost its significance and value. However, due to a variety of factors, Yoga is regaining popularity and recognition. People are becoming more aware of the numerous advantages associated with this practice .
Today People are bombarded with information about Yoga from all sources as it grows in popularity. In fact, the term Yoga and the activities associated with it have evolved and changed significantly over the years. Sage Patanjali was regarded as the first source of Yoga knowledge.
He explained the eight limbs of Yoga as well as its true purpose. However, as time passed, newer forms of Yoga introduced by BKS Iyengar, Bikram, and others gained popularity. Still, Patanjali’s classification of Yoga types remains the original. He believed that the purpose of Yogasanas is to achieve higher levels of awareness.
THE ESSENTIALS OF DIFFERENT TYPES OF YOGA
Yoga has five paths, according to our ancient scripture, the Bhagvad Gita:
Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga is the practise of performing any action. Yoga can also be defined as the simple act of performing actions without expecting any results.
Jnana Yoga: The path of knowledge or wisdom is known as Jnana Yoga.
Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti Yoga is the devotional path. To achieve liberation, one must have complete faith in the divine.
Raja Yoga refers to the royal path of Yoga. It is made up of eight limbs (Ashtanga Yoga).
Hatha Yoga is the practise of asanas to open energy channels and psychic centres in order to achieve higher levels of awareness. Hatha Yoga has become the most popular type of Yoga in modern times. ‘Ha’ refers to the sun, and ‘tha’ refers to the moon.
These are the two types of energy that exist in our body. It is believed that working on them can awaken ‘kundalini’ shakti. It includes asanas, pranayamas, and cleansing techniques. Hatha Yoga consists of 84 asanas in total. These asanas are used to integrate the mind and body.
OTHER TYPES OF PHYSICAL YOGA KNOWN TO US INCLUDE:
Vinyasa Yoga is a sequence of asanas practised one after the other with proper breath control. Vinyasa refers to any sequence of asanas. It is a more physically demanding practise that emphasises energy and endurance.
Vinyasa has the following main advantages:
It aids in the development of muscle strength because the rapid transition between poses necessitates strength.
Also It improves one’s sense of balance and stability.
It aids in weight loss because it combines a mild form of cardio with strength training.
Surya Namaskar is one of the most well-known Vinyasa series (a set of 12 asanas practised one after the other). Padma Sadhana is another well-known series. Vinyasa Yoga series can be defined as any set of asanas practised in a flow with a natural transition.
Surya Namaskar, a Vinyasa series asana
Yoga is associated with a number of modern terms. They are simply variations on the current Yoga forms. The most common are as follows:
Power Yoga is a more dynamic and fast-paced variation of the traditional Yoga practise. It does not involve any posture holding, unlike Hatha Yoga. Bender Birch founded it in 1995 with the goal of generating heat in the body to burn calories. It can also be described as a hybrid of traditional Yoga and cardio. It is typically a series of asanas repeated in a manner similar to Vinyasa.
However, it is faster here and requires a lot of core and stamina building. Power Yoga may not be the best choice for improving the nervous system or creating a more stable mind, but it is ideal for people who are stressed or have weight problems.
Understanding Iyengar Yoga
BKS Iyengar developed Iyengar Yoga, a relatively new form of Yoga. It differs from other types of Yoga in that it emphasises precision, sequence, and the use of props. It is beneficial to people who have postural and structural issues. This type of practise popularised the use of props.
Yoga blocks, belts, chairs, straps, and bolsters are common props used in Iyengar Yoga. It focuses heavily on technique and precision, so it must be practised in the presence of a guide.
Iyengar Yoga includes Uthita Hasta Padangusthanasa with the assistance of a prop.
Yin Yang Yoga:
The Yin Yang Yoga is a type of Yoga that combines the subtle healing practise of asanas with their dynamic flow. Yin focuses on holding postures for longer periods of time, which benefits the tissues, nervous system, and mind. Yang, on the other hand, focuses on increasing strength, stamina, and flexibility through a fast-paced series of asanas. The practise typically begins with a slow-paced Yin practise to warm up the joints and muscles, followed by a power packed sequence to energise and strengthen the muscles.
Restorative Yoga is a deep relaxation practise that incorporates passive stretching. All of the stretches make extensive use of props. It is based on BKS Iyengar Yoga. Each posture should be held for at least 5 minutes. Because the body weight is supported by props, it is both relaxing and deep stretching.
In one hour, no more than 5-6 stretches/twists are performed. Props such as blankets, bolsters, and blocks are used to provide the necessary comfort for healing. It is also known as a meditative form of Yoga, with the goal of stress relaxation.
Yoga Essence
RESTORATIVE YOGA WITH BOLSTER SUPPORT
Prenatal Yoga and Jivamukti Yoga are two other forms of Yoga that are derivations from the classical style of Yoga. Prenatal Yoga is primarily intended for pregnant women. It can be done in all three trimesters, with different asanas for each. Asanas during the third trimester are focused on preparing women for labour and delivery.
The asanas in the second trimester are designed to help the mother and child bond. Props are also used to allow women to bend forward or twist easily.
Jivamukti Yoga adheres to five teaching tenets. It combines Hindu scripture with Vinyasa Yoga. It believes that all living things on Earth should coexist and follow a vegetarian diet.
With so many options and paths to choose from, it’s easy to become overwhelmed. What you choose is entirely dependent on your motivation for practising Yoga.
All said and done once you indulge into Yoga you automatically tend to understand that it is easier to be done than thought of. So to live an essentially balanced life with peace and free from anxiety stress and tensions everyone should make yoga a part of their lives.
