Types of Yoga

TYPES OF YOGA

There are many forms of Yoga, offering different paths for different personalities.

Jnana Yoga – union through knowledge and study.
Bhakti Yoga – union through devotion and selfless love.
Karma Yoga – union through service, work and action.
Mantra Yoga – union through sound vibration and speech.
Raja Yoga – union through control of the mind.
Hatha Yoga – union through self-exploration, conscious exploration on a physical level.

TYPES OF HATHA YOGA

There are many different styles of Hatha Yoga being taught today from slow, gentle, and alignment-focused to fast, flowing, and athletically-challenging, with everything in between. Some styles of Yoga consist of doing the same series or sequence of postures every time; others offer classes that are always different.

The following are descriptions of some of the most common forms of Hatha Yoga being practiced and taught.

Ananda- In the 1960’s, Swami Kriyananda developed Ananda Yoga after a period of intense yoga training under Guru Paramhansa Yogananda (author of “Autobiography of a Yogi”). "The most unique part of this system is the use of silent affirmations while holding a pose. In a typical class, instructors guide their students through a series of gentle Hatha Yoga postures designed to move energy upward, preparing the body for meditation. Classes also focus on proper alignment and controlled breathing exercises (pranayama) to facilitate an exploration into the inner dimensions of Yoga and self-awareness.

Anusara- Anusara, which means "to step into the current of Divine will”, was created by John Friend in 1997. Anusara Yoga is an integrated approach to Hatha Yoga in which the human spirit blends with the precise science of biomechanics. The central philosophy of this Yoga is that each person is equally Divine in every part; body, mind, and spirit. Each pose is performed with an integrated awareness of all the different parts of the body.

Ashtanga Yoga- a fast, strength oriented, repetitious series of postures done in a flowing manner, goal oriented series that progress with six levels. If you like to work out and sweat, this style may be for you. Developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga is physically demanding. Participants move through a series of flows, jumping from one posture to another to build strength, flexibility and stamina. It's not for beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely approach to fitness. The recently popularized “Power Yoga” is based on Ashtanga.

Bikram Yoga- popular in California, often called “Movie Star Yoga”. A repetitive sequence of postures (26 asanas) is practiced in a heated room (104 degrees), along with some breath work. The emphasis is on doing, not necessarily on feeling. Founder Bikram Choudhury studied yoga with Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda.

Integral- In 1966, the Reverend Sri Swami Satchidananda introduced an entire generation of young people to his Yogic philosophy: "an easeful body, a peaceful mind, and a useful life." His goal was to help people integrate Yoga's teachings into their everyday work and relationships, which he hoped would promote greater peace and tolerance worldwide. "Integral Yoga uses classical Hatha postures, which are meant to be performed as a meditation, balancing physical effort and relaxation. In addition to a gentle asana practice, classes also incorporate guided relaxation, breathing practices, sound vibration (repetition of mantra or chant), and silent meditation.

Iyengar Yoga- A challenging style of Yoga in which perfection in each posture is emphasized. B.K.S. Iyengar, the founder, is thought of as an authority on Yoga postures and their beneficial qualities. Classes usually include the postures only, although he teaches many types of pranayama (breath work) and relaxation techniques. This is a difficult style for a beginner. B.K.S. Iyengar is one of the best-known Yoga teachers and the creator of one of the most popular styles of Yoga in the world. His style of Yoga is noted for great attention to detail and the precise alignment of the body in postures, as well as the use of props such as blocks and belts. No doubt part of Iyengar's success is due to the quality of teachers, who must complete a rigorous 2-5 year training program for certification.

Jivamukti- The popularity of this style of Yoga lies in the teaching approach of its cofounders, David Life and Sharon Gannon. They opened their first studio in 1986, combining an Ashtanga background with a variety of ancient and modern spiritual teachings. In addition to vinyasa-style asanas, classes include chanting, meditation, readings, music, and affirmations.

Kali Ray TriYoga- A series of flowing, dance like movements intuitively came to Kali Ray (Kaliji) while leading a group meditation in 1980. In 1986, after developing these movements into seven distinct levels, Kaliji established the TriYoga Center in Santa Cruz, California, offering a system of Yoga that is taught in a meditative environment.
The first level is a slow, relaxing, and rejuvenating practice. The class, often accompanied by music, focuses on natural alignment and breath within the flow, and ends with meditation. A union of asana (postures), pranayama (breath work), and mudra (seals), this practice is deeply meditative, promoting relaxation and inner peace.

Kripalu Yoga- This style of Yoga focuses on awareness and the perfection of the moment, not the posture. It focuses on self-acceptance and uses postures, breathing, relaxation, and meditation techniques to explore the connection between mind, body and spirit. This style is particularly good for providing an opportunity for self-exploration. Kripalu is called the Yoga of consciousness. Kripalu employs the use of “press points” to ensure proper alignment for the enhancement of energy flow. In a Kripalu Yoga practice, you work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength and “honor the wisdom of the body". A focus on the physical and psychological reactions caused by various postures develops an awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit, which is called “witness consciousness”. There are three stages in Kripalu Yoga. Stage One focuses on learning the postures and exploring the body’s abilities. Stage Two involves holding the postures for an extended time, developing concentration and inner awareness. Stage Three is like a meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another arises unconsciously and spontaneously. This style is good for the beginner and advanced students.

Kundalini Yoga-.. In 1969, Yogi Bhajan brought Kundalini Yoga to the West, a practice that has its roots in the Tantric Yoga tradition. In the practice of Kundalini Yoga, practitioners concentrate on awakening the energy at the base of the spine and drawing it upward through each of the seven chakras through the use of postures, dynamic breathing techniques, and chanting and meditating. The main focus of this type of Yoga is to awaken the Kundalini or “serpent power” that is believed to lie dormant at the base of the spine.

Power Yoga- Beryl Bender Birch set out to challenge Americans' understanding of what it really means to be fit with her book “Power Yoga” (Fireside, 1995). Bender Birch's intention was to give a Western spin to the practice of Ashtanga Yoga, a challenging and disciplined series of poses designed to create heat and energy flow. Power Yoga's popularity has spread to health clubs across the country and has taken on a broad range of applications. The common thread is a rigorous workout that develops strength and flexibility while keeping students on the move.

Sivananda Yoga- Sivananda Yoga was introduced to an American audience in 1957 by Swami Vishnu-Devananda. A few years later, Vishnu-Devananda founded the International Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centers. This style employs a Hatha Yoga sequence of 12 basic postures, with the focus on increasing strength and flexibility. Chanting, pranayama, and meditation are also included, which releases stress and blocked energy. Sivananda Yoga, developed by Vishnu-Devananda and named for his teacher, Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India, is one of the world's largest schools of Yoga. At its core, Sivananda Yoga is geared toward helping students answer the age-old question "Who am I?" and encourages proponents to "serve, love, give, purify, meditate, realize”.

Svaroopa- This style of Yoga teaches different ways of doing familiar poses, emphasizing the opening of the spine by beginning at the tailbone and progressing through each spinal area. Every pose integrates the foundational principles of asana, anatomy, and Yoga philosophy, and emphasizes the development of transcendent inner experience, which is called svaroopa by Patanjali in the Yoga Sutra. This is a consciousness-oriented Yoga that also promotes healing and transformation. Svaroopa Yoga was developed by Rama Berch, who founded and directs the Master Yoga Academy.

Vini Yoga- This is the approach developed by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya, teacher of well-known contemporary masters B.K.S. Iyengar, K. Pattabhi Jois and Indra Devi, and continued by his son, T.K.V. Desikachar. Key characteristic of the asana practice are the careful integration of the flow of breath with movement of the spine, with sequencing, adaptations and intensity dependent upon the overall context and goals. Function is stressed over form. Practices may also include pranayama, meditation, reflection, study and other classic elements. Personal practices are taught privately. Given the scope of practice, the inherent therapeutic applications and the heritage of the lineage, the training requirements for teacher certification are extensive.

Vinyasa- 'Flow Yoga', or Vinyasa Yoga, offers many variations. It is usually fast paced and challenging with lots of music and creativity in sequencing of the Yoga poses. The focus is on connecting movement with the breath. Vinyasa or 'flow' classes are very popular on Yoga studio class schedules at the moment.

Yogafit- Yogafit is one of the styles of yoga frequently offered in gyms and health clubs. Yogafit classes follow the standard fitness class structure of warm-up, workout and cool down. Many Yogafit teachers are also certified as group fitness instructor and/or personal trainers. Yogafit classes are designed to offer a fitness-based, accessible, user-friendly approach to Yoga but may be too vigorous if you are suffering from serious health concerns.

There are many more styles of Yoga being practiced, with new ones emerging every day. The popularity of a particular style is usually due to its acceptance in our culture.

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