Find out which yoga style is right for you

2024 Author: James Gerald | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 14:00

Numerous fitness studios today offer a variety of yoga styles to choose from. How to choose yoga to your liking and what is behind the mysterious and alluring names "Sivananda", "Jivamukta" and "Bikram"? After reading our review, you will know exactly which yoga class you should attend and which one is best to refrain from.

Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga is by far the most popular yoga trend. It appeared in the 15th century as a teaching about physical harmony, which can be achieved by purifying the body with exercises (asanas) and meditation. For decades, Hatha Yoga has been a success all over the world among those who want to bring body and soul into balance.

Suitable for: Optimal for the adherents of classical yoga.

Kundalini yoga

Kundalini - translated from Sanskrit "snake power", which, according to the teachings of Tantra, is located in the lower spine. Followers of the kundalini style strive to awaken this power with the help of static asanas and breathing exercises in order to stimulate the brain, develop intuition, enhance sexual potential and experience the feeling of falling in love.

Suitable for: Those who strive for spiritual perfection.

Anusara yoga

The word "anusara" means "movement in the stream of divine grace." This yoga style was created by American John Friend in 1997. Friend based his concept on the philosophy of tantra. Anusara yoga aims to awaken joy in a person and give an opportunity to share it with the outside world. In addition to improving the body, anusara yoga involves communication with each other through divine manifestation in each person.

Suitable for: For those who like to hone the technique of performing asanas and respect the tantric teachings.

Power yoga

Power yoga is a young fitness area based on the principles of Ashtanga yoga. Strength yoga classes are designed in such a way as to give the student maximum physical activity, working mainly with his body and leaving aside spiritual practices. Power yoga appeared in America in 1995 and today is popular in America, Europe and Russia among celebrities and beyond. The program of each lesson includes an intensive set of exercises for muscle loading and stretching.

Suitable for: This sport is chosen by those who want to see changes in their bodies as soon as possible.

Iyengar yoga

This direction of yoga is named after its founder, who created a whole health complex, designed for students of any age and skill level. It was Iyengar Yoga that for the first time allowed the use of assistive devices (rollers, belts) in the classroom, which facilitated the performance of many asanas for beginners. The goal of this yoga style is health promotion. Much attention is paid to the correct performance of asanas, which are considered the basis for mental and physical recovery.

Suitable for: For those who share the opinion that asana is meditation in motion and want to improve their health by achieving the correct performance of each asana.

Ashtanga yoga

Ashtanga, which means “the eight-step path to the final goal,” is one of the most difficult styles of yoga. This direction combines different practices and represents an endless stream in which one exercise smoothly turns into another. Each asana must be held for several breathing cycles. Ashtanga Yoga will require strength and endurance from its adepts.

Suitable for: For those who want the most intense training and are ready to test themselves for strength.

Jivamukti yoga

The modern concept of yoga, popular with many Hollywood stars today, originated in the 80s. in the States. This system is also called singing yoga, since classes and asanas are accompanied by the chanting of mantras and hymns, as well as the study of sacred Sanskrit texts. This practice has not yet become widespread in Russia.

Suitable for: For those who are in search of modern ways to enlightenment and want to be in trend.

Sivananda Yoga

Named for its founder, Sivananda Yoga includes, in addition to practicing asanas, breathing exercises (pranayama), relaxation techniques, nutrition, and regular meditation. This type of yoga is available even for beginners and thanks to asanas that stimulate important points of the whole body, it allows you to remove toxins and cleanse your body. The goal of Sivananda Yoga is to achieve inner peace and tranquility.

Suitable for: To all fans of traditional yoga.

Bikram

Bikram, or hot yoga, is a set of 28 exercises that are performed by students in a room heated to 38 degrees. Due to the constant maintenance of a high temperature, sweating increases, toxins are removed from the body faster, and the muscles become more flexible. This style of yoga focuses only on the fitness component and leaves aside spiritual practices.

Suitable for: Those who want to test themselves for strength and train to the limit.

Aeroyoga

Air yoga, or, as it is also called, "yoga on hammocks", is one of the most modern yoga trends that allows you to perform asanas in the air. Air yoga is held in a specially equipped room, in which small hammocks are suspended from the ceiling. It is in them that asanas are performed. Such yoga makes it possible to quickly master some complex asanas, and also promises good physical activity, develops flexibility and strength.

Suitable for: For those who love everything new and unusual.