Yoga is the hype of the moment in the fitness world. But luckily, this ancient discipline is something more than just a passing trend. Its roots are really ancient, and the modern evolution that we know is certainly different from its original nature. It remains, though, the desire for many people to approach this meditative discipline so fascinating which can help us find that difficult balance and give us the physical and mental energy so important to deal with our daily routine.
Especially in the last months, many people have approached yoga for the first time. Lockdowns and Covid-19 restriction have forced us to spend much more time at home, struggling to disconnect from work and find time for ourselves.
But did you know that there are different types of Yoga? It is important to know the various differences and thus choose to practice yoga that best suits your needs. In this article, we present 5 different types of Yoga and their benefits.
But do you know that there are different types of Yoga? It's important to know the differences in order to practice the type of yoga that best suits your needs. In this article, we present 5 different types of yoga and their benefits.
1. Bikram Yoga
This type of yoga is often practiced in a hot and humid environment, where the temperature reaches about 40 degrees. There are about 26 different poses in the Bikram Yoga and is perfect for those who are willing to lose weight: with only one class you can burn about 600 calories...prepare yourself for a big sweat! It's important to dress properly, with light and breathable clothing. The Bikram Yoga is suitable for people looking for a more intense workout, for those who want to develop strength, flexibility and muscle tone with a cardiovascular workout. Carry out this type of physical activity in hot environments also helps the body to relax, improve breathing and to develop a better mental focus. Bikram Yoga was invented by Bikram Choudhury - an Indian yogi who became a very controversial celebrity in the USA. By the way, if you haven't seen it yet, we can recommend you a Netflix Documentary on this subject.
2. Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga's history dates back to the 15th century. Unlike other types, this yoga is practised at a slow pace, relaxed, as it focused on meditation. Among the main purposes is to introduce beginners to the main relaxation techniques and asanas (postures or positions typical of yoga) and includes all kinds of styles of modern yoga. There are thousands of asanas in the history of yoga and of course, you can not do them all, but those who decide to engage in this type of yoga will learn to recognize names like Ardha Chandrasana, Dhanurasana, Setu bandh and Gomukhasana.
3. Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga is also known as Ashtanga Yoga, and also for this variant, you can choose hot and humid environments as a place where to practice it. Vinyasa Yoga serves as a training to increase strength and helps to build lean muscle mass throughout the body. The advantage of using Vinyasa Yoga as the primary method to build muscle mass is that all muscle groups receive the same attention, creating a careful balance thanks to a flowing and continuous movement. You may have heard of the Sun Salutation sequence or Surya Namaskar: it is a series of asanas performed at dawn, which incorporate and reflect all the sun's power and energy, worshipped and revered as God by ancient civilizations.
4. Kundalini Yoga
This type of yoga is also known as 'yoga of awareness'. In fact, this practice penetrates into your mind and has a strong spiritual tension. Its peculiarity is to use movement, sound, breath and meditation to relax and restore the mind and the body, improving strength, flexibility, and endurance. Kundalini Yoga strengthens the nervous system, balances glands, purifies the blood, and works deeply on your subconscious. This will give you greater awareness and ability to choose how to respond to your thoughts and your feelings. Through practice, you can train your mind and body to not react emotionally; That means not to repress your emotions, but rather to develop a kind of buffer zone, space and a time where elaborate thoughts and make educated choices.
5. Anusara Yoga
Anusara Yoga is a relatively new form of yoga (1997), and it was founded by John Friend. This form of yoga is known as one of the most spiritual, and it focuses on your inner self, your mind, and soul. It can be considered one variant of Hatha yoga mixed with tantric philosophy. It's organized into three categories: attitude, action, and alignment. Anusara is a Sanskrit word that means "flowing with grace" and is based on the principle that all beings have intrinsic goodness present in them. The practice of Anusara Yoga increases strength, toning muscles, and provides relaxation for body and mind.
Clearly, there are not only these 5 types of yoga to practice but many others. So read as much as you can and ask questions to experienced instructors before picking the right for you. The advice is to practice this art not only for the physical benefits but to live it as an individual path, very personal and intimate. Yoga offers the opportunity to undergo a complete transformation - physical, physiological and psychological.