Types of Yoga

When you say yoga most people imagine a series of stretching techniques and an instructor talking in a calm voice leading you through your practise. One of the well known types of yoga in the West is probably Hatha Yoga and its variations. Traditional Hatha yoga includes moral disciplines, postures, breath control(Pranayama) and meditation. But the Hatha yoga practised in the west predominantly consists of mostly postures (asanas) and is more of a physical exercise. The idea is to balance body and mind through asanas, breathing, relaxation to calm the mind and meditation. It will teach you balance, it will give you strength of the body, it will improve your body health, it will relax you and clear the mind and through meditation you're able to reach enlightenment.

The are officially nine internationally recognized styles of Hatha Yoga: Jivamukti, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Viniyoga, Sivananda, Integral, Bikram, Kripalu, and Kundalini.

The Yoga of Patanjali or as it's called Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga (ashta means eight) means the eight limbs (spiritual practices). That's what Patanajali described in his Yoga Sutras. The eight limbs are viewed as levels of progress which make the foundation for the higher levels and are described in more details later on. It's a dynamic and energetic form of yoga that uses the breath to flow from one posture to another. The practise which flows between asanas and it's tightly bound with specific breathing technique - Ujjyai Pranayama. The asanas are linked by vinyasa sequence creating heat that cleanses the body and at the same time mind stays clear and calm.

Jivamukti Yoga is a type of dynamic yoga developed by David Lide and Sharon Gannon. Jiva means individual soul and mukti means liberation. The name derives from the Sanskrit word jivanmuktih, which means liberation while living. It integrates the physical, philosophical and spiritual aspects of yoga. It includes dynamic flow of vigorous asanas, but also meditation, balance, concentration and devotion form a great part of it as well. "The name Jivamukti Yoga reflects the fact that it is possible to have a beneficial and fulfilling life in the world, and also progress spiritually - perhaps even attaining liberation (Samadhi) while living." Sharon Gannon and David Life, Jivamukti Yoga. The five principles of Jivamukti yoga are: Scripture (studying yoga teachings and that includes Sanskirt chanting); Bhakti - aknowledgement that universal consciousness is the goal of all yoga practices; Ahimsa - non-violence to all living creatue, which includes all animals and therefore vegetarian diet; Nada - developing deep listening, the sound aspect; Meditation.

Iyengar Yoga, is a form of Hatha Yoga created by B.K.S. Iyengar, It's based on the eight limbs of yoga, emphasizing on development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, concentration and meditation. The different asanas are to be practised with great attention to alignment of the body.

Sivananda Yoga includes breathing, asanas, relaxation, vegetarian diet, positive thinking and meditation. It aims to retain the vitality of the body, improve the body health.

Bikram Yoga is develped by Bikram Choudhury. It is practised is a room at temperature of 105ºF (40.5º) and humidity of 40%. Classes include 26 postures and two breathing techniques and they last approximately 90 minutes.

Kundalini Yoga consists of techniques to unite mind, body and senses. It gives special consideration to the spine and endocrine system in understanding of yogic awakening. It focuses on the chakras in the body in order to generate a spiritual power, which is known as kundalini.

Hatha Yoga is one of the two types of Yoga that focuses greatly on the physical aspect, the other one is Raja Yoga. Raja Yoga uses asanas mainly to get the body ready for prolonged sitting in meditation. That's why it concentrates greatly on meditative asana postures.

Kriyas or Shatkarmas are traditional Yogic cleansing techniques for detoxifying the body.

Bhakti, Karma and Jnana yoga are non-physical styles of yoga.
Jnana Yoga is union by knowledge - requires a yogi who is pure at heart and his aim is to seek out the "real truth". Concentration and meditation will lead you to spiritual health.
Any person who sings, prays, worships and helps another person is actually practising Bhakti Yoga. So in principle Bhakti Yoga is available to all people of all religions.
Karma Yoga is unity through selfless service; it's also known as the yoga of action.

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