styles of yoga

Question 1

ashtanga yoga

Answer 1

• ashtanga = 8 limbs
• increases muscle strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration, mental clarity
• introduced 1970s by Pattabhi Jois
• rigorous, specific sequence of poses, 6 series
• link every single movement with breath

Question 2

hatha yoga

Answer 2

• hatha = strong, willful, forceful
• increases strength, balance, flexibility, concentration. bone density; promotes calm and inner peace
• definition derived from ancient yogic texts, origins thousands of years ago
• rooted in deeper practices including yogic lifestyle, meditation, yogic philosophy
• achieve a meditative state of oneness with self and higher power
• encompasses all other major styles
• combines deep breathing with asana to reach meditative state

Question 3

hot yoga

Answer 3

• regulates metabolism; increases flexibility, immunity, strength; promotes detoxification of body
• originally Bikram yoga: 26 pose sequence done twice in hot room
• uses heat to aid in loosening stiff joints and strengthening muscles
• typically follows vinyasa flow with high energy
• higher risk of dehydration, dizziness, heat stroke

Question 4

kundalini yoga

Answer 4

• kundalini = coiled serpent
• increases relaxation, flexibility, mental clarity; promotes calm and inner peace
• presents imagery of snake coiled at base of spine representing raw, untapped energy
• uncoil and activate this energy through asana, pranayama, sounds, meditation
• specific focus on meditative poses that relate to core and lower back
• asanas structured in kriyas: set of asanas, pranayama, mantras
• typically structured: mantra, warmup, kriya, relaxation, meditation, mantra

Question 5

iyengar yoga

Answer 5

• increases muscular strength, flexibility, stamina, concentration, mental clarity
• focus on proper alignment and use of precise teaching cues
• basic beginner foundations in early classes, later build upon more advanced classes - gradual progression of the practice over time
• focus on use of props to perfect alignment for each pose and to help students understand alignment principles
• slower pace with poses held for longer periods

Question 6

restorative yoga

Answer 6

• increases flexibility, stamina, concentration, mental clarity
• rooted in teachings of iyengar, introduced in 1970s by judith lasater
• slow pace originally developed for students recovering from illness or injury
• focus on use of props to achieve restorative poses that calm and promote healing in the body
• objective to stimulate healing processes in nervous system
• typically 5-8 poses held for 5+ minutes

Question 7

vinyasa yoga

Answer 7

• increase muscle strength, flexibility, cardiovascular function, respiratory capacity, improve bone density
• flow between poses, includes breathing techniques that focus on the transition of the flow between poses
  -synchronization of breath and movement
• flexible approach to yoga, creative class sequences
• fitness applications due to faster pace

Question 8

yin yoga

Answer 8

• increases flexibility, circulation, concentration; improves mobility, health of tissues, fascia, and joints; decreases anxiety and stress
• founded by paulie zink in 1970s, refined by paul grilley and sarah powers
• slower, meditative style; poses held for 1-2 minutes or up to 5 to target deeper tissues; feminine side of yin-yang
• by releasing tissues this way, we can remove blocked chi energy
• no warm up, emphasis put on connective tissues instead of muscles
• differently named asanas to highlight different approaches to similar looking asanas