The physical, mental and spiritual practice of Yoga originated in India thousands of years ago. With time, it spread far and wide across the world and is now among the most popular workout options. As it gained more prominence, especially with the advent of the internet, more and more people started practicing Yoga, and they tweaked and modified it as per their form, needs, and goals. Thus, were born the various forms of Yoga. If you are new to this, good news, there are several practices you can choose from, depending on your fitness level, goal, and what you like. What you want to achieve with this practice is also crucial while making the choice. Do you want to lose weight, or gain strength, or build muscles, or want to manage stress and anxiety? The answer to this question will help you choose the perfect Yoga form.
Types Of Yoga
Although there are numerous kinds of Yoga, here we are looking at six of them that are highly popular in India and the world over.
1# Hatha Yoga
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- This is an umbrella term used for any form of Yoga that teaches physical poses, or asanas.
- It is slow, hence is great for beginners who are trying to get into the rhythm.
- In Hatha yoga, you hold a pose for some time and at the same time, focus on your breath.
2# Ashtanga Yoga
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- This literally means ‘eight limb paths’.
- This is more challenging than Hatha Yoga and includes the practice of multiple surya namaskars, or sun salutation, along with standing and floor exercises.
- It is also done at a much faster pace. Thus, this form of Yoga is not ideal for those who are just beginning the practice or whose fitness level is not good. However, there is no harm in trying.
3# Vinyasa Yoga
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- This is an offshoot of Ashtanga Yoga.
- It is physically challenging, is done at a fast pace, and is considered the most athletic form of Yoga.
- It involves a flow. You basically switch from one Yoga pose to the other, at the pace of your breath. In short, you flow.
- Since you switch from one pose to the other at a fast pace, you don’t hold any pose for long.
- It is good for strength and flexibility and your heart rate gets pumped up, which makes it a good cardiovascular exercise.
4# Iyengar Yoga
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- This was founded by Yog guru (teacher) BKS Iyengar
- It focuses on the precise adjustment of the body and is considered good for the joints.
- In this, Yoga poses are done while holding the breath and the duration of each pose increases with practice.
- Although it’s not physical as compared to other forms of Yoga, such as Hatha and Vinyasa, after doing this, you’ll feel relaxed and unwound. It is also good for balance and flexibility.
5# Kundalini Yoga
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- The focus of this form is equally on the body and the spirit.
- The aim of kundalini yoga is to release the kundalini energy, which is believed to be trapped in the lower back.
- Since it’s both a physical and spiritual practice, it is challenging both for the body and the mind.
- Along with the various poses, the focus is also on breathwork and meditation.
- In this, you move through poses at a fast pace, with pauses for relaxation in between. During this time, you focus on the internal sensations.
- This is ideal for those who are looking for more of a spiritual practice.
6# Yin Yoga
- This is yet another Yoga form that does something to the soul.
- Yin yoga is not fast, but slow, deep, and meditative.
- In this, you hold a pose for too long, from 45 seconds up to 2 - 2.5 minutes.
- This stretches the connective tissue and increases blood circulation.
- Since it is more of spiritual practice, the focus is more on relaxation, calmness, and peace.
A consistent Yoga practice yields amazing results for body as well as the mind. It helps in weight management, tones the body, increases strength and flexibility, boosts energy and agility, improves balance and concentration, removes brain fog, reduces stress, anxiety, helps with depression and the list can go on and on. So grab a Yoga mat, choose a cozy spot and work towards all these amazing benefits.
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