Yoga

The word yoga

Is derived from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning “to yoke,” or “to unite”. The practice aims to create union between body, mind and spirit, as well as between the individual self and universal consciousness. Such a union tends to neutralize ego-driven thoughts and behaviours, creating a sense of spiritual awakening.

Originated in ancient India.

First codified by the sage Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras around 400 C.E, the practice was in fact handed down from teacher to student long before this text arose. Traditionally, this was a one-to-one transmission One thing to also keep in mind is that yoga actually describes an eight-limbed path to enlightenment that was defined by Patanjali’s “Yoga Sutra.”

Yoga is a physical, mental and spiritual practice

Asanas, or poses, are the physical practice that we call yoga and are only one limb of that path. This is why pranayama (breathing exercises), meditation, and other philosophy are often included in yoga classes.

Credits to: https://www.yogapedia.com/definition/4/yoga

https://www.healthline.com/health/fitness-exercise/types-of-yoga#:~

Patanjali is an Indian sage who lived a long, long time ago. His life, and the time frame within which he lived, remain a mystery. He’s most famous for being the author of the popular Yoga Sutras, often referred to as The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.

Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras provide the traditional foundation of yoga, in which he outlines an

Eightfold path of the practice. Known as the ‘Eight Limbs of Yoga,’ this path offers a guide to individuals who are dedicated to creating a union between body, mind and spirit.

Each of the Eight Limbs offers a means of living with more integrity, self-discipline, respect for nature and connection with the spiritual aspects of life. These eight practices are intended to be carried out in a holistic and integrative manner:

Yamas – Five universal, ethical and moral observances to live by (nonviolence, truthfulness, non-stealing, continence and non-covetousness)
Niyamas – Five spiritual and self-discipline observances (cleanliness, contentment, spiritual austerities, study of scriptures and surrender to God)
Asana – physical posture, originally intended only for seated meditation, but more recently adapted to encompass all physical yoga practices
Pranayama – breathing exercises to control the flow of prana (vital life force)
Pratyahara – Withdrawal of the senses
Dharana – Single pointed concentration
Dhyana – Meditation
Samadhi – Liberation or blissful union with the Divine

The four traditional paths of yoga are:

Bhakti (devotion)
Karma (action/selfless service)
Jnana (knowledge/self-study)
Raja (self discipline/practice).

Although modern schools of yoga such as Jivamukti, Bikram and Sivananda offer alternative interpretations, most are rooted in the same philosophical concepts and practices as Patanjali’s Eight Limbs.

Yoga is also used as a therapeutic tool for many physical and mental conditions, and mind-body research is now demonstrating its effectiveness as a treatment for chronic pain, anxiety, depression, cardiovascular disease and diabetes, to name but a few

Hatha yoga is the foundation for all yoga styles and refers to any practice that combines asana, pranayama, and meditation.

Typically, these classes have a slightly slower pace, but you can always ask the instructor how vigorous the flow is before jumping in. Since this type of yoga is the foundation for all yoga and tends to be a relaxing flow, hatha can be great for beginners or those wanting a more meditative or even restorative practice.

“Vinyasa” has become shorthand for a number of things. Some teachers use it to refer to the sequence of poses:

Plank Pose
Chaturanga Dandasana
Upward-Facing Dog
Downward-Facing Dog

Teachers may even say, “take a vinyasa” to refer to it. Vinyasa is from the Sanskrit nyasa, meaning “to place,” and vi, meaning “in a special way.” What “to place in a special way” refers to is how we get from one pose to the next and the breathing that goes with our movements.

For most classes with the word “vinyasa,” you can bet on a pretty active class with a fast and continuous flow from one pose to the next, including a lot of sun salutations. These classes will also ask you to focus on breathwork and cultivating awareness when linking one movement to the next. These classes are good for those who want a workout but also want to explore some of the more traditional aspects of yoga, like pranayama and being present.

Power yoga — a unique vinyasa practice that doesn’t focus on breathwork and meditation — is a vigorous, vinyasa-based flow taught in many gyms.

B. K. S. Iyengar developed this meticulous type of yoga. This practice is all about balancing flexibility and strength through proper body alignment. Studios where it’s taught typically have a lot of props — blankets, blocks, straps, etc. — to help people of all ages, flexibilities, and abilities find alignment that is perfect for their bodies. It is a form of yoga that emphasizes precision and alignment in the practice of asanas. The poses are generally held longer, but the support of props and attention to alignment make this a great practice for those overcoming injury.

Bikram yoga was created by Bikram Choudhury. It’s a specific and unchanging sequence of 26 poses that are done in a room heated to 105 degrees.

In your first few Bikram classes, no matter how fit you are, you’ll probably have to take a break. The heat is thought to help practitioners sweat out toxins in their bodies, and it will absolutely make you sweat. A lot. It may also potentially making you lightheaded your first few times. Expect to wear little clothing, drink a lot of water, and have some patience for yourself when you have to rest.

Bikram yoga has recently lost some followers due to sexual assault allegations against Bikram Choudhury. Due to that fact, some studio owners have distanced themselves from using the term “Bikram.” If any of the classes you are considering are described as “hot yoga” (see below for more), then you may want to read up on more details about the class to confirm if it’s Bikram or not.

Hot yoga As touched on above, not all hot yoga is Bikram yoga. Hot yoga can essentially be any type of yoga done in a heated room, typically between 95 and 100 degrees. In general, hot yoga classes are vinyasa classes held in heated rooms. These classes will, of course, cause practitioners to sweat a lot and can require breaks the first few classes, just like Bikram.

Your muscles are very warm in these classes, so they can be great for improving flexibility. However, you also want to be careful, as it can be easier to pull a muscle when your muscles are so much warmer than usual.

Ashtanga yoga was introduced to the world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. There are three different “series” taught in Ashtanga. These are the primary series, intermediate series, and advanced series, though the advanced series is sometimes broken down even further in current practice. It is a physically demanding style of yoga that synchronizes breath with movement.

Each series performs poses in unvarying sequence until you and your instructor feel as though you are ready to move on to the next series. It can be great for the more seasoned practitioner, as it requires strength, endurance, and a commitment to practicing a few times a week.

Kundalini is all about awakening your kundalini energy, or shakti, which is the primal energy thought to sit at the base of the spine. It is a form of yoga that emphasizes the role of the breath in the practice of asanas. This is a more spiritual practice, and there will be more chanting, meditation, and breathing in this class than in others. This can be a little out there for the practitioner who doesn’t fully embrace the philosophy of shakti and all that comes with it. However, it can be fun for the person who wants to chant, learn mantras, and find out more about lesser known hatha practices, like mula bandha (“root lock”).

Vini Yoga: a style of yoga developed by T.K.V. Desikachar, son and student of the renowned yogi T. Krishnamacharya. Viniyoga is a style of Hatha yoga that promotes the personalization of yoga practices to suit each individual yogi. From Sanskrit, the prefixes, vi and ni, denote “adaptation” or “appropriate application.” It involves adapting the methods of yoga to ensure they are exactly what the yogi needs in mind, body and spirit.

Yin Yoga: a slow-paced style of yoga that emphasizes holding poses for long periods of time. Classes explored gentle, passive stretches, with a focus on connective tissues and energies.

Restorative Yoga: a form of yoga that emphasizes relaxation and restoration of the body.

Gentle, supportive, and therapeutic are just a few words that describe restorative yoga. At its core, restorative yoga is a practice of passive healing. This yoga style is known for its ability to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. This is the “rest and digest” part of your nervous system that helps keep basic functions working as they should.

https://www.healthline.com/health/restorative-yoga-poses

Sivananda Yoga: a form of yoga that emphasizes the practice of asanas, pranayama, and meditation.

Sivananda yoga is a type of yoga that is based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda. This style of yoga has its roots in Hatha yoga and a strong focus on the health and physical well-being of the yogi. It involves regular periods of relaxation and yogic

General Benefits

https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/health-benefits-of-doing-yoga-every-day