At WiseGEEK, we're committed to delivering accurate, trustworthy information. Our expert-authored content is rigorously fact-checked and sourced from credible authorities. Discover how we uphold the highest standards in providing you with reliable knowledge.
What are the Different Styles of Yoga?
Niki Foster
Niki Foster
At its most basic, yoga is a set of spiritual practices originating in ancient India. While most people in the Western world think of it as a form of physical exercise, it actually encompasses much more. Even only considering the physical side, however, there are many different styles, from traditional to Bikram.
The Bhagavad Gita, a text dating from the first few centuries BCE that's considered the definitive source of Hindu philosophy, mentions four branches of yoga: karma, jnana, raja, and bhakti. Karma refers to one's action in the world, jnana is the development of knowledge and the mind, bhakti is the worship of a deity, and raja is meditation. The style most familiar to those in the Western world, consisting of the practice of asanas or poses in order to reach a meditative state, is a medieval development of the Raja practice known as Hatha yoga.
The most common styles of this practice are:
- Vinyasa links breath to movement and consists of a flowing series of poses using the practitioner's natural breath as a guide. Movement is continuous and the focus is on aligning movement with breath rather than on perfecting each posture. The sun salutation is one well known vinyasa series.
- Ashtanga, or power yoga is fast-paced and physically challenging. Like vinyasa, it is performed in a flowing style, with attention given as much to transitioning gracefully between poses as to the poses themselves.
- Kudalini yoga is practiced with the goal of awakening energy stored in the pelvic area. While asanas are involved in kundalini, the focus is more on breath and chanting. When kundalini energy is released, it is said to flow upward along the spine through energy centers called chakras.
- Iyengar yoga is named after its creator, B. K. S. Iyengar. The focus of this style is proper physical alignment, and poses are often held for long periods of time in order to perfect one's posture. Props, such as straps or bricks are commonly used in this style, as they can be used to help the practitioner reach and maintain correct alignment.
- Bikram yoga is also named after its pioneer, Bikram Choudhury. This style is practiced in a heated room in order to allow the body to stretch and relax more. It uses a series of 26 asanas, always performed in the same order and intended to open the body up gradually throughout the practice. Hot yoga is also practiced in a heated room, but the postures may vary from the Bikram method.
Niki Foster
In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.
Learn more...
Niki Foster
In addition to her role as a WiseGEEK editor, Niki enjoys educating herself about interesting and unusual topics in order to get ideas for her own articles. She is a graduate of UCLA, where she majored in Linguistics and Anthropology.
Learn more...AS FEATURED ON:
AS FEATURED ON:
-
![Woman in an upward bow yoga pose.]()
Woman in an upward bow yoga pose. -
![Woman in a full boat yoga pose.]()
Woman in a full boat yoga pose. -
![There are many different styles of yoga.]()
By: sannebergThere are many different styles of yoga. -
![Ashtanga and other forms of fast-paced yoga help strengthen muscles and promote stamina.]()
By: WavebreakmediaMicroAshtanga and other forms of fast-paced yoga help strengthen muscles and promote stamina. -
![A Bikram yoga class consists of a challenging series of 26 specific asanas that is performed twice.]()
By: aerogondoA Bikram yoga class consists of a challenging series of 26 specific asanas that is performed twice.
Discussion Comments
What about Chinese yoga and Zen yoga? Has anyone here tried either of these? Where on the East coast may I find classes for these?
I know that yoga is believed to have originated in India. But it's also practiced in East Asian countries. In fact, I believe that some forms of Chinese yoga have combined some movements from martial arts with yoga poses for a new and more challenging practice. I'd be interested in this type of yoga. I'd love to take a Chinese yoga class.
I've tried several different types of yoga but I like power yoga the most. This is a form of yoga which involves faster, more swift movements and the addition of some cardio exercises. It's basically the best yoga for fitness and weight loss. It doesn't involve a lot of breathing or relaxation. It's more of a workout and I do it for this reason. I hate going to the gym but I enjoy power yoga a lot. I recommend it to anyone who is looking to do yoga for weight loss and fitness.
There are so many different styles of yoga out there. At their root actually, they are all based on the same group of postures. But various yoga teachers have improved some of these postures or have made additions. So these style go by new names. In other cases, everything is the same but the yoga is done in a different environment. For example, hot yoga is just yoga done in a very hot room. The heat is supposed to release more toxins and burn more calories. I tried hot yoga once but it was too hot for me!
I personally can't keep up with the varieties and styles of yoga anymore. I think I'll stick to my regular traditional yoga.
Post your comments