Natural Awakenings YOGA GUIDE Y
oga, a holistic art and practice that originat- ed some 5,000 years
ago in India, aims to integrate mind, body and spirit. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, meaning to yoke or unite, and refers to the joining of body with mind and
mind with soul to achieve health, balance, tranquility and enlightenment. Individuals of every
age and physical condition can benefit from the regular practice of yoga, which has been proved to enhance flexibility, strength, stamina and concentration. Us- ing a combination of asanas, or postures, and breathing techniques, yoga works to induce deep relaxation and reduce stress, tone the body and organs, increase vital- ity and improve circulation and energy flow. Uplifting and meditative, yoga can be applied as a spiritual practice, as well. Although many schools, or styles, of
yoga exist, most differences derive from the primary focus of the practitioner’s attention: precise alignment of the body; holding of the asanas; flow between the postures; breath and movement coordi- nation; or inner awareness and medita- tion. No particular style is better than another, and many students practice more than one.
ANANDA: A form of gentle Hatha yoga with an emphasis on meditation. Ananda combines classic yoga postures with breathing and silent affirmations to attune with higher levels of body sense, energy and silent inner awareness. As an inner-directed practice, it has less ap- peal to those desiring a more athletic or
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aerobic experience. ANUSARA: Anusara means “go with the flow,” and blends spirituality with inner/outer alignment and bal- anced energetic ac- tions. Developed by John Friend in 1997, this style urges students to think of poses as artistic expressions of the heart.
Individual abili- ties and limitations are deeply respected and
honored, so Anusara yoga can
be helpful for everyone and is good for beginners.
ASHTANGA: A physically demanding style that is light on meditation, Ashtan- ga yoga employs a fast-paced series of flowing poses to build strength, flexibil- ity and stamina. Developed by Indian yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtan- ga’s progressively difficult postures are synchronized with a loud breath (called Ujyaii breath in Sanskrit) and are de- signed to produce intense internal heat and purifying sweat in order to detoxify muscles and organs. The room is usually heated to warm muscles and increase flexibility. Preferred by many athletes, this style is too intense and demanding for most beginners.
BIKRAM: A strenuous style, designed to make students sweat, taught in rooms heated to a minimum of 105º Fahr- enheit, with about 40 percent humid- ity. The superheated rooms facilitate stretching and allow the body to release toxins through perspiration. Former national India yoga champion Bikram Choudhury developed the style, whose 26 demanding poses are performed in a specific order, to promote optimal health and proper function of every
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bodily system. Bikram yoga is a good choice for highly fit individuals and seasoned students seeking a challenge.
HATHA: Hatha yoga is the foundational discipline on which nearly all other styles are based. In Sanskrit, ha represents the sun and tha, the moon—hence, the prac- tice is designed to bring the yin and yang, light and dark, masculine and feminine aspects and polarities into balance. Es- sentially, Hatha yoga brings all aspects of life together. A class described as hatha will likely include slow-paced stretch- ing, asanas, or postures, that are not too difficult, simple breathing exercises and perhaps, seated meditation. Hatha yoga classes provide a good starting point for beginners, who can learn basic poses and relaxation techniques.
INTEGRAL: A gentle style of yoga brought to this country in 1966 by Sri Swami Satchidananda. Classes are structured to balance physical effort with relaxation and include breathing practices, chanting and both guided and silent meditation. Integral yoga is suit- able for beginners and helpful for more advanced students who wish to deepen their physical and spiritual awareness.
INTEGRATIVE YOGA THERAPY: Gentle postures, guided imagery, assisted stretching and breathwork help to make this style a useful one for rehab centers and hospitals. Joseph LePage began this therapy in the early 1990s to help promote healing and well-being for individuals facing heart disease, cancer, AIDS and psychiatric disorders.
IYENGAR: Noted for precise alignment and symmetry of postures, the develop- ment of balance, and the use of props such as blocks, balls and belts. The Iyengar style of yoga was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, based on an exceptional understanding of how the body works. Poses are held longer than usual. Iyen- gar is a good style for beginners, but can challenge seasoned practitioners, as well.
KRIPALU: An integrated practice that emphasizes breathing and alignment and coordinates the breath with move- ment. Kripalu, also called the yoga of
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