12 Styles of Yoga

I had no idea that there were so many styles of yoga.  Constant learning and awareness for what options we have on the path.  Yoga might not be your interest at all, but if it is, you might check out other styles to see if they inspire and aline more comprehensibly with your life process.  Exploring related but slightly different systems can also provide reinforcement for what you are already doing and refine it with a slightly new spin on it all.  Part of exercising the body is challenging it in new ways: range of motion, coordination, timing, order of actions, and more–keeping it awake in the moment of action.

Yoga for everyone
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Iyengar: A form of Hatha, Iyengar focuses on symmetry and alignment to obtain mental and physical balance. Kripalu: Meditation in motion, Kripalu utilizes three stages to achieve reliance on the body’s inherent wisdom. Eventually, students are able to …
Yoga for everyone

Twelve kinds of yoga

• Ananda: A gentle practice that emphasizes the importance of meditation, breathing and affirmations while flowing through yoga postures.
• Anusara: When translated, Anusara means “following your heart.†This style celebrates the heart, positive and balanced energy and the freedom to change and adapt the practice as needed.
• Ashtanga: Often referred to as power yoga, Ashtanga provides a heart-pounding, intense and very challenging workout. The physical goals of the practice are to increase stamina, strength and flexibility. Mentally, students appreciate the sense of calm the practice can provide. Those who adhere to this style of yoga experience deep detoxification due to the profuse sweating that takes place during the session.
• Bikram: Bikram is called hot yoga for a reason; the temperature in the room is approximately 105 hot and steamy degrees. Every session consists of 26 postures and two breathing exercises.
• Hatha: One of the most popular styles of yoga, Hatha focuses on both physical and emotional well-being. With more than 200 postures to choose from, students utilize these asanas to enhance circulation, flexibility, balance and a supple and vibrant mind.
• Integral: This style of yoga emphasizes relaxation through controlled breathing and meditation.
• Iyengar: A form of Hatha, Iyengar focuses on symmetry and alignment to obtain mental and physical balance.
• Kripalu: Meditation in motion, Kripalu utilizes three stages to achieve reliance on the body’s inherent wisdom. Eventually, students are able to flow through postures spontaneously without conscious thought.
• Kundalini: A mix of breathing, chanting and poses, this style awakens natural energy and encourages self-healing through the stimulation of the immune and nervous systems.
• Sivananda: A healthy lifestyle is promoted by embracing 12 sun salutation postures, chanting, meditation, positive thinking and a vegetarian diet.
• Tantra: Tapping into the body’s natural energy, students are guided through postures, chanting and visualizations to achieve pleasure, joy and a sense of completion in their everyday existence.
• Viniyoga: Gentle flow yoga emphasizes the connection between breath and a series of poses that are easy on the joints and easy to adhere to in private practice as well as therapeutic settings.