Yoga, an ancient practice and meditation. For many people, yoga provides a retreat from their chaotic and busy lives. This is true whether you’re practicing downward facing dog posture in your bedroom or in an ashram in India or in New York City’s Times Square. Yoga provides many other mental and physical benefits.
Benefits of yoga are known for its ability to soothe tension and anxiety in the mind and body.
Types of Yoga
Hatha
Hatha is one of the most popular styles. It’s a more physical type of yoga rather than a still and meditative form. Hatha yoga focuses breath-controlled exercises. These are followed by a series of yoga postures, which end with a resting period.
Iyengar Yoga
Founded by B.K.S. Iyengar, this form of yoga is great for those who want to work on injuries and joint problems. It focuses on correct alignment of the body and very precise moves. These postures are held while holding your breath. The duration of each pose increases with expertise. The perfect pose is sometimes achieved with the help of props like traps, blocks, and blankets. Benefits of yoga improve stability, mobility , strength and flexibility. – femina.in
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is one of those mysterious yoga practices that is as spiritual as it is physical. This form is physically demanding, mentally challenging and involves a lot of meditation, chanting, mudras and breathing exercises. The whole point if this style is to release the kundalini energy that is coiled in the lower spine. It requires a lot of fast moving postures with periods of relaxation. You will be taught to pay attention to internal sensations and the flow of creative energy so that you can tap into your kundalini-shakti. This style is for those who are looking for more than a workout. – femina.in
Ashtanga Yoga
Popularized by celebrities worldwide, Ashtanga or the “eight limb path” is very physically demanding. You should not do this if you are a beginner or not in great physical shape. It involves doing multiple surynamaskars followed by standing and floor postures. There are six series of postures that have to be repeated in every class. This kind of yoga is also called Power Yoga and in this style you start with the primary series and then graduate to the next level when you have mastered it. It takes years of practice to master this form. – femina.in
Vinyasa Yoga
This is an offshoot of Ashtanga and also involves a number of athletic yoga postures and each movement is coordinated with one’s breath. This is also a very physically demanding practice. The pace is quick and you will not have to hold any one pose for too long. The key is to flow from one pose to the next so your heart rate gets pumping. Both Ashtanga and Vinyasa are great if your aim is to tone your body. Vinyasa works your core, upper body and gives you a cardio workout. There is not a set structure in this practice. It often depends on the teacher who might include some meditation and chanting. – femina.in
Bikram Yoga
Created by yoga guru Bikram Choudhury, the key feature of this practice is to do a set of poses in a room heated with 40 percent humidity. In a 90-minute sequence there are 26 basic postures that are done twice and two breathing exercises. The heat makes you sweat excessively thereby getting your body rid of toxins. The postures work every part of your body and bring oxygenated blood to all your internal organs. Drink plenty of fluids to rehydrate. – femina.in
Hot Yoga
The hot yoga style is very similar to that of Bikram yoga. Here too, postures are held in a heated room, however, it is not restricted to the 26-pose sequence. If you like a sweaty workout, this one is for you. – femina.in
Kripalu Yoga
If you are seeking spirituality through yoga then you should explore Kripalu yoga. Self-reflection, pranayama, deep relaxation, and meditation are the benefits of yoga. Destressing the mind and body for better health and self-awareness is the aim. This practice is not as rigid, as it requires you to modify poses according to your body’s needs. – femina.in
Jivamukti Yoga
Yoga is not just a workout but a deeply spiritual experience. If you want to know this practice in its totality then you should try the Jivamukti style. Founded in 1984 by Sharon Ganon and David Life, Jivamukti incorporates Vinyasa style postures and sequences accompanied with chanting, meditation, deep relaxation and pranayama. There is also some emphasis on philosophy, poetry and music. Jivamukti centres also offer courses in Hindu scriptures, Sanskrit and kirtans. Jivamukti proponents are also expected to be vegetarian. – femina.in
Yin Yoga
If you are not into rigid activity, then Yin yoga is the practice for you. This slow-paced style lets you hold poses for a longer time—from 45 seconds to two minutes. There are many seated postures and a focus on spirituality, inner peace and relaxation. You stretch your connective tissue and make it more elastic by holding poses for longer times. You also improve blood circulation and the qi energy in your body. Props help you relax into the postures instead of keeping your muscles flexed. This style is often practiced in a heated room to help your muscles become more elastic. However, you must not try this if you are super flexible to avoid over stretching, or have any connective tissue disease.-femina.in
Benefits of Yoga:
The goal during yoga practice is to challenge yourself physically and mentally, but isn’t to feel overwhelmed. Focus is on your breath while your mind is accepting and calm. – health.harvard
Cardiovascular Benefits of yoga
Several small studies have found yoga to have a positive effect on cardiovascular risk factors. Yoga helps lower blood pressure in people who have hypertension. It’s likely that the yoga restores “baroreceptor sensitivity.” Balance is maintained as well as blood pressure.
Body
Increases CORE Strength
Lowers Blood Pressure
Improves Circulation
Pain and Tension Relief
Increases Flexibility
Improves Posture
Increases Immunity
Improves Digestion
Body Detoxification
Mind
Improves Intuition
Improves Concentration
Neutralizes Stress
Improves Memory
Increases Mental Awareness
Increases Confidence
Enhances Ability to Focus On The Present
Unblocks Energy Flow
Increases Self Acceptance
A Better Body Image
Yoga develops inner awareness. It focuses your attention on your body’s abilities at the present moment. It helps develop breath and strength of mind and body.
Disclaimer:
No content on this site, regardless of date, should ever be used as a substitute for direct medical advice from your doctor or other qualified clinician.