Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Yoga Styles

Beginner's Guide to Yoga

Yoga is derived from the Sanskrit Language. The word of 'Yuj' - meaning "Union" orginated in India more than 5000 years ago. Yoga majorly focusses on breathing, meditation, flexibility of the body through yoga asanas. Yoga is very spiritual in nature, and helps to link the body, mind & soul.

For beginners, a regular practice of yoga for 5-10 mins. a day, by practicing basic pranayama (breathing exercises) and some basic asanas, is a good practice. You dont need a yoga trainer or maestro to train you to begin yoga. Basic yoga can be started by just knowing the basics of it and reading some good literature on the subject.

Yoga offers an increased concentration level, better connection in body & soul, greater strength & flexibility to body. It helpd in better co-ordination of body & mind.

Some basic Styles of Yoga for beginners:

If you're new to yoga, here are a few of the most common yoga styles that may be followed:

Ashtanga yoga (also referred to as Power yoga) is a fast-paced, intense yoga style. It focuses on constant movement from one pose to the next. However, this system does allow each student to work at her own pace.

Bikram, or Hot yoga, is practiced in an environment where the temperature is 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat promotes intense sweating that will loosen tight muscles and facilitate cleansing of the body.

Hatha yoga is a general term. These workouts usually include basic introductory yoga poses, and move at a gentle and slow pace.

Iyengar yoga: in this style, poses are held for a longer duration. The purpose of this is for students to recognize the subtleties of each posture and to pay attention to their musculoskeletal system and body alignment. Using props (blocks, belts, blankets, etc.) to accommodate a variety of fitness levels and special needs is common in Iyengar yoga.

Vinyasa yoga
includes more aggressive stretches. These workouts focus on sun salutations and the connection of breath and movement.

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