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Yoga For Mind and Body
Yoga Moves:
brought to you by Heather Agnew and yogatrinity.com
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- Surya Namaksar
- Sun Salutations
This month’s column will feature a lengthy answer to one
of the most commonly asked questions about yoga. What are the
different kinds of Yoga, and which is best for me?
Forms of Yoga
I frequently get questions from students on the differences and
benefits of the various styles of yoga. Hatha, Ashtanga, Jivamukti,
Moksha, Bikram…all these foreign sounding words that elicit
thoughts of ankles wrapped around the back of your head. Well, this
month I will give you a brief glimpse of some of the most popular
forms of yoga, where they originate, and what you can expect in
a class.
Most important to point out is that all physical forms of yoga,
all yoga classes, are considered part of the Hatha Yoga system.
Hatha Yoga is just one branch on a strong tree of yoga. Other forms
of yoga include Bhakti Yoga (yoga of devotion), Jnana Yoga (yoga
of study), Tantra Yoga (yoga of ritual), Raja Yoga (yoga of concentration
and meditation in action), and Karma Yoga (yoga of selfless service),
and these yoga’s have nothing to do with yoga postures or
physical exercise. Hatha Yoga is a classification for all physical
forms of yoga that help to balance and restore the entire human
system, and assist the practitioner in achieving a union of mind
and body. Originally designed as a method to release tensions in
the body, and raise the vibratory frequency to that more suitable
for meditation, Hatha Yoga has evolved to offer much more, and now
there are as many styles of Hatha Yoga as there are Hatha Yogis/Yoginis.
Some styles include:
Hatha Yoga: When you see a
class advertised as Hatha Yoga, you can expect a fairly gentle,
structured class that is suitable for all levels, offering a balance
of movement, breath, and concentration. One of the most relaxing
forms of physical practice, this style of yoga is ideal for those
wanting to ground, relax, and gently stretch the body.
Sivananda Yoga: A physical
and lifestyle practice originally created by Sri Swami Sivananda,
a former physician, and world renowned teacher, author, and spiritual
leader. Sivananda Yoga is now taught worldwide, and focuses on a
five part life practice of ‘proper eating, proper breathing,
proper relaxation, proper diet, and positive thinking and meditation’.
In a class you can expect a structured physical posture sequence,
simple breathing exercises, and guided relaxation. Books like ‘Yoga
for Mind and Body’ and ‘The Sivananda Companion to
Yoga’ are excellent resources for the yogi or yogini looking
to learn from this practice. As well, you can visit www.sivananda.org
for more on the principals of this practice.
Ashtanga Yoga: A powerful practice
developed by Sri Trirumalaj Krishnamacharya and his student Pattabhi
Jois, who made an extensive study of the oral and rare written teachings
of this system of physical practice that is now call Ashtanga Yoga.
This is a physical ‘Hatha’ practice that honours the
8 Limbs of Yoga established by Patanjali, over a thousand years
ago. Brought to the West in the 1970’s, this form of yoga
has evolved into a powerful physical practice, with variations often
referred to as “Power Yoga”, “Flow Yoga”
or “Vinyasa Yoga”. This yoga style is well known in
the media as the form of yoga practiced by the likes of Madonna
and Sting. In a class setting, you can expect an athletic class
combining consistent and focussed breathing with powerful, fluid
postures, called “Vinyasa” or flow sequences. Books
that can assist you in understanding the essentials of the Ashtanga
Practice include: ‘Yoga Mala’ by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois
and ‘Ashtanga Yoga’ by David Swenson.
Iyengar Yoga: B.K.S. Iyengar
studied Hatha Yoga from a young age in his home of India in the
early part of the century. Over time, he developed his own method
that focussed on precision in physical alignment and discipline
in mind and breath. His method is now taught worldwide under the
name Iyengar Yoga, and is a highly respected form of yoga for all
levels. Making use of props like bolsters, blocks, straps and other
devices, you can expect a class to focus on taking time to ensure
proper technique and alignment rather than a flowing, heart pounding
workout. An essential class for all yogis/yoginis to try at least
once, as you will find your practice enhanced by the focus on perfecting
alignment. For more information on Iyengar Yoga, essential reading
includes ‘Light on Yoga’, ‘Light on Pranayama’,
and ‘The Tree of Yoga’ by B.K.S. Iyengar.
Kripalu Yoga: Kripalu is called
the ‘yoga of compassion’, and was originally created
by Swami Kripalu in India, and then brought to North America in
the 60’s by Kripalu’s disciple,Yogi Amrit Desai. Kripalu
Yoga teaches that through compassion for the self, each student
moves beyond the earthly desires (perfect body, perfect job etc),
and gains an awareness of self that goes far beyond the body and
the mind. This is a more meditative practice, and in a class setting
you will find a very gentle physical practice that focuses on breath,
concentration, and relaxation. A common saying in Kripalu Yoga is
that, “Kripalu yoga is less about standing on your head,
than standing on your own two feet’.
Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini Yoga
was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in the 60’s, a time
when many yoga masters were introducing their systems and philosophies
to North America. Yogi Bhajan’s system combines a physical
practice of exercises along with chanting and breath-work. The goal
of this practice is to stimulate and channel the latent kundalini
energies in the body. Yogi Bhajan was also a Tantric master, and
thus Kundalini Yoga offers the practitioner a system of practice
to attain an altered state of consciousness, intended to bring about
a higher level of spiritual awareness whether in a yoga class, or
in daily life. A Kundalini class is often a creative process, and
you will find most classes are fairly non-stressful, with a great
focus on conscious movement, and energetic attunement.
Bikram Yoga: A relatively new
style of Yoga created by Bikram Choudhury, who practiced yoga in
India and Japan for many years before bringing his unique style
to California. This form of Yoga is often referred to as “Hot
Yoga’, as it is practiced in a heated room. This is a controversial
yoga form at the moment, as the founder has attempted to patent
his yoga sequence, and along with the competitive, demanding nature
of the practice, Bikram is seen in some circles as a ‘distortion’
of the true principals of yoga. Controversy aside, in this class
you can expect a structured class with a dependable series of 26
poses in each class. This is a good class for athletes and those
looking for an intense class with no frills.
Where is Yoga Going?
If you want to know what direction Yoga is heading in today, look
to some of the newest forms of yoga. Moksha Yoga, Jivamukti, Anusara,
and Radiant Light Yoga are all examples of new yoga forms, created
by teachers who have had training and experience with many forms
of yoga, and who have chosen to create something new out of their
experiences . It is my prediction that the most natural evolution
of yoga in this particular time is through the experiences of each
individual teacher, as they blend and bond different systems, sequences
and philosophies to create new and unique classes for their students.
I encourage you to sample many different forms of yoga and many
teachers. You will find that your own practice will evolve to blend
and fuse your favourite movements as you create a home practice
made just for you.
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