Another style of yoga is Vinyasa. Vinyasa yoga is slightly more vigorous than Hatha yoga, but is less intense than Ashtanga yoga; a happy medium between the two.
Vinyasa yoga has similarities with Ashtanga yoga, in that both link breath with the movement through the poses. The main difference between the two is not only the pace, but the poses. In Ashtanga yoga, the sequence of poses is called a series and the series do not change. In Vinyasa, the poses are called sequences, rather than series, and the sequences often change, depending on your instructor and their mood.
Vinyasa yoga sessions are much more focused on bringing the breath and movement into perfect synchronization. This means that while beginning yogis are welcome, you should have at least a clear understanding of the basic poses involved in yoga.
A Vinyasa session usually starts with several sun-salutations to get the body warmed up and limber. This is followed by more intense poses and stretching. Now don’t be fooled here, this doesn’t mean you’re getting off light. You then begin to move through the poses a more intense pace than Hatha yoga.
Vinyasa yoga is an excellent choice for those wanting a little more out of their practice while still maintaining the variety of Hatha yoga.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Thursday, October 15, 2009
Styles of Yoga Series
Styles of Yoga Series- Part One: Hatha Yoga
Yoga is fast becoming a mainstay in maintaining good physical health and it is hard not to be persuaded to try it. But with so many styles and variations out there, how does one choose the right style? In this series, we’ll explore first the traditional styles of yoga and then the more contemporary variations that have come about in the last century.
Lets start with the most traditional style: hatha yoga or flow yoga. Hatha yoga is a general practice that focuses on slow, gentle movements linking breath with movement of the body. Most beginning yoga classes are hatha yoga. Unless a class is specified, such as vinyasa yoga, it is generally safe to assume that you are taking a hatha yoga class.
Hatha yoga is often very slow paced and each pose is held for several seconds, often a minute at a time. Breathing, meditation, and proper stretching and alignment are also emphasized in hatha yoga. This practice is ideal for any skill level, those wanting to reduce stress levels in the body and mind, and those with arthritis, chronic pain or injury.
Hatha yoga is a great place to learn each basic pose, like child’s pose or downward-facing dog. Hatha yoga also teaches proper breathing technique and meditation. Most people can learn these poses easily and even become comfortable enough to practice yoga at home.
So if you are a newcomer to yoga, or an old friend looking to rekindle a bond, hatha yoga is a great place to start.
Yoga is fast becoming a mainstay in maintaining good physical health and it is hard not to be persuaded to try it. But with so many styles and variations out there, how does one choose the right style? In this series, we’ll explore first the traditional styles of yoga and then the more contemporary variations that have come about in the last century.
Lets start with the most traditional style: hatha yoga or flow yoga. Hatha yoga is a general practice that focuses on slow, gentle movements linking breath with movement of the body. Most beginning yoga classes are hatha yoga. Unless a class is specified, such as vinyasa yoga, it is generally safe to assume that you are taking a hatha yoga class.
Hatha yoga is often very slow paced and each pose is held for several seconds, often a minute at a time. Breathing, meditation, and proper stretching and alignment are also emphasized in hatha yoga. This practice is ideal for any skill level, those wanting to reduce stress levels in the body and mind, and those with arthritis, chronic pain or injury.
Hatha yoga is a great place to learn each basic pose, like child’s pose or downward-facing dog. Hatha yoga also teaches proper breathing technique and meditation. Most people can learn these poses easily and even become comfortable enough to practice yoga at home.
So if you are a newcomer to yoga, or an old friend looking to rekindle a bond, hatha yoga is a great place to start.
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