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.

Surya Namaskar

Surya Namaskara or Sun Salutation is a common sequence of Hatha yoga asanas. Its origins lie in a worship of The Sun God. Hindu Diety for Solar Energy. This sequence of movements and postures can be practised on varying levels of awareness, ranging from that of physical exercise in various styles.

The physical practice links together twelve postures in a dynamically performed series. These asanas / postures are ordered so that they alternately stretch the spine backwards and forwards. When performed in the usual way, each asana is moved into with alternate inhalation and exhalation (except for the sixth asana where the breath is held in external suspension). A full round of Surya namaskara is considered to be two sets of the twelve poses with a change in the second set to moving the opposite leg first through the series.

Proponents of the use of Surya namaskara as part of the modern yoga tradition prefer to perform it at sunrise, which is considered to be the most favourable time of the day.

Here are the details of Postures for Surya Namaskar


Note: You must always exercise these asanas, by keeping your basic health in check; Incase your health practitioner has warned you not to do any exercise / asana, you must always abide by the same. We would not be responsible for any physical injury caused due to your not following your doctor's advise