Types of yoga - there’s a huge choice of yoga styles
Tuesday, October 16th, 2007 Subscribe To Our Feed
Befuddled by all the different styles of yoga? Here’s a description of several common yoga types you’ll find available at studios near you.
Iyengar Yoga is focused on body alignment and precise movements. Yoga props such as blocks and straps are usually used as part of this type of yoga for those beginners who are not as flexible as the experts as to compensate for injuries.
Because of its attention to details and the flexible modification of poses, this type of yoga is often a good form of exercise for people with back pain or neck pain, as they are likely to benefit from the close attention to the poses.
In Iyengar yoga the teacher focuses on alignment and inner awareness. This awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues with the regularity of practice.
Ashtanga Yoga is often called power yoga because it is athletic.
Ashtanga yoga includes pushups and lunges, for strength and stamina. This style is best for people who have successfully overcome back injuries and are looking for a more challenging practice.
People who are already athletic such as runners, gymnasts and cyclists who want to add more balance and concentration to their routines are also utilizing Ashtanga yoga.
Bikram Yoga is known as hot yoga because it’s done in a very warm room. It’s great for increasing flexibility because the heat helps you to stretch.
But keep in mind that this yoga is not applicable to those that have developed cardio vascular diseases due to the strain placed on the body when vigorously exercising in the heat.
Viniyoga links poses with the breathe and movement in flowing exercises that are adapted to each individual. This is a good form of yoga for those with back problems or neck injuries because it can be easily adapted by anyone.
Raja Yoga is meditation, primarily.
Bhakti yoga is commonly known as devotional yoga and aims to develop your spiritual life.
Mantra yoga is known as the yoga of potent sound. It involves chanting mantras to improve your mental and spiritual health - common mantras include “om,” “hum,” or “ram.”
So there you have it - a roundup of popular styles of yoga. Try several styles. There is no single correct yoga, it’s a banquet of styles.
Yoga Sandals: 
