1. Bikram Yoga

Intention:

This yoga type focuses on making your whole body sweat.

Path:

Bikram yoga, often referred to as hot yoga is performed in heated rooms with temperatures above 40°C and 40% humidity for a duration of 90 minutes. It involves 26 poses and 2 pranayama breathing exercises. According to its creator, heat helps to hasten the body’s natural detoxification process. This style of yoga offers a methodical full-body workout and may help to burn calories, reduce blood glucose levels and boost the cardiovascular system.

2. Kundalini Yoga

Intention:

This yoga style aims to spark creativity and passion.

Path:

Kundalini yoga is a multi-dimensional practice that challenges both body and mind through kriyas, meditation, chanting, and singing. It uses these tools to stimulate and release the "kundalini"energy, which is believed to be coiled at the base of your spine. This process helps to expand your consciousness, boost physical vitality and ignite passion. Normally, a kundalini yoga session begins with an opening chant, followed by a sequence of breathing exercises, some physical warm-ups, poses (kriya), meditation, relaxation, and a closing chant.

3. Iyengar Yoga

Intention:

This yoga type focuses on enhancing mobility and stability.

Path:

Iyengar yoga is a style developed by B.K.S. Iyengar and is popular for its tasteful inclusion of props, including benches, chairs, bolsters, straps, etc. This yoga type focuses on the aspects of precise body alignment, body placement, and the use of props to achieve perfect poses. Iyengar yoga is designed to methodically and safely improve flexibility, strength, stability, and mind-body awareness. It is considered to be ideal for newcomers and may offer some therapeutic benefits to individuals with certain ailments.

4. Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga

Intention:

This yoga style aims to provide spiritual and physical gains.

Path:

Ashtanga yoga types are one of the most dynamic and physically demanding practices. It puts equal emphasis on strength, endurance and flexibility. It orchestrates movement with breathing to generate internal heat in order to purify the body from within. It is specifically useful for individuals who are trying to strengthen their core and upper body and increase their muscle tone.

5. Integral Yoga

Intention:

This yoga helps individuals to gain better mental clarity.

Path:

Integral yoga uses the principles of traditional yoga practice to deal with various aspects of the body, including physical, emotional, and mental facets. This yoga type follows a gentle approach and its classes are usually slow-paced but engaging. Besides focusing on practising asanas, integral yoga also incorporates the use of pranayama breathing techniques, meditation and relaxation into the mix. This style seeks to assist individuals to have an improved outlook and find inner peace.

6. Jivamukti Yoga

Intention:

This yoga style aims to explore spirituality.

Path:

Jivamukti yoga is a vigorous form of yoga that goes over the physical, spiritual, and intellectual aspects. This style of yoga carefully combines the use of pranayama, chanting, meditation, and deep relaxation with affirmations, poetry, music, and philosophy. Its five principles are shastra, bhakti, ahimsa, nada, and dhyana. This method also places a strong emphasis on yoga’s traditional teaching of spiritual living.

7. Kripalu Yoga

Intention:

This yoga type aims to improve the sense of compassion and self-acceptance.

Path:

Kripalu yoga is a type of hatha yoga that is characterised by its gentle and compassionate approach. It puts equal importance on spirit, body, and mind and includes the use of pranayama, meditation, deep relaxation, and asanas. As time goes by, students of this yoga form learn to accept and appreciate themselves just the way they are while also learning to examine their thoughts without casting any judgement.

8. Restorative Yoga

Intention:

This yoga style focuses on promoting relaxation.

Path:

Restorative yoga is a unique form style based on restful practices. It includes a handful of asanas over the course of an hour-long session, and you have to hold each of these poses for a duration of 5 minutes or more. It also involves the use of props to support your body, like bolsters, blocks, and blankets. Restorative yoga helps build a connection between the body and mind, where both are able to enter a state of relaxation and release built-up tension.

Conclusion

These are some of the different yoga styles with their distinct purpose and health benefits. If you are starting out your yoga journey with a specific goal in mind, choosing a suitable method can offer the best beneficial value. You can consult a professional yoga practitioner to learn more about other forms and find a style that fits your objective.

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Sources: gaiam.com, yogauonline.com, yogamedicine.com, beinks.com

Disclaimer: This blog provides general information and discussions about health and related subjects. The information and other content provided in this blog, website or any linked materials are not intended and should not be considered or used as a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Kindly contact your doctor before starting a new medicine or health regime.

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Published on December 1, 2023