WHAT IS YOGA?
Yoga is an ancient discipline that focuses on creating harmony between the mind and body. The word “Yoga” comes from the Sanskrit root “Yuj,” meaning to unite or join.
It aims to connect individual consciousness with universal consciousness, promoting balance, inner peace, and overall well-being. Yoga is also closely linked with Ayurveda and is believed to help balance the body’s three doshas: Vata, Pitta, and Kapha.
Beyond physical health, yoga is a holistic practice that reduces stress, improves mental clarity, and supports spiritual growth. Its ultimate goal is self-realization and liberation, often referred to as moksha or kaivalya, where a person experiences inner freedom and unity with existence.
Types of Yoga:
Hatha:
This is one of the oldest forms of yoga which includes the practice of asanas (Postures) and pranayama (breathing exercise) which brings peace to mind and body, and helps prepare the body for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation.
Vinyasa:
An active and athletic style of yoga adapted from the traditional ashtanga system in the late 1980s. It essentially means movement synchronized with breath and is a vigorous style based on the rapid flow through sun salutation. It also refers to the continuous flow from one posture to another.
Ashtanga:
Ashtanga is a system of yoga that was brought to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This form of yoga includes six series and each series is a set sequence of asanas, always in the same order. It is typically fast-paced, vigorous and physically challenging.
Power:
Power yoga is a dynamic, vinyasa-based style of yoga that has spread worldwide. Since its style can vary from instructor to instructor, it is recommended to check with the teacher before practicing.
Bikram:
It consists of twenty-six postures and two breathing techniques. This style of yoga helps flush toxins, manage weight and allow performers to move more deeply into postures.
Kundalini:
Kundalini incorporates multiple movements or exercises, dynamic breathing practices, chanting, meditation and mantras. Each specific kundalini exercise, referred to as a kriya, is a movement that is often repeated and is synchronized with the breath. The practice is designed to awaken the energy at the base of the spine in order to draw it upward through each of the seven chakras.
Yin:
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style in which poses are held for five minutes or longer. Even though it is passive, yin yoga can be quite challenging due to the long duration holds, particularly if your body is not used to it. The purpose is to apply moderate stress to the connective tissue – the tendons, fascia and ligaments – with the aim of increasing circulation in the joints and improving flexibility.
