Yoga Types - Which One is Right for You?

With all the different types of yoga in existence today, choosing the right one can be hard for a beginner. It's important to choose the variety of yoga that's right for you in terms of fitness level, your spiritual and physical goals, and you health. Here are a few of the most common types of yoga to help you pick the best one for you and your situation.

Iyengar Yoga: This type of yoga focuses on precise movement and the alignment of the body. It often uses straps, blocks, and other props to help less flexible beginners perform the same movements as experts. These items can also help people with injuries adapt movements to their individual bodies. This allows everyone to perform yoga poses with comfort.

This type of yoga pays a lot of attention to detail, but poses are flexible and can be modified, making it a good choice for people who suffer from neck or back pain. Adjusting the poses can also help people with other injuries. Iyengar Yoga is a good choice if you'd like to get a good basic knowledge of classic yoga poses, giving you the fundamental for other types of yoga later on.

Teachers of Iyengar yoga are likely to focus on inner awareness and alignment. Inner awareness begins with the body, but then moves to other parts of ourselves as we continue with practice on a regular basis.

Ashtanga Yoga: This type of yoga has also been referred to as "power yoga". This is because flowing, powerful movements are a big focus of this discipline. Lunges, pushups, and other stamina- and strength-focused movements that aren't usually associated with yoga may be involved. People who are looking for a more challenging practice, or are looking to build strength after overcoming injuries, particularly to the back, may wish to practice this type of yoga.

If you're already fairly athletic, but want to add more balance to your routine than running, cycling, or working at the gym can provide, Ashtanga Yoga may help you. It can help you improve your concentration, and build muscles you don't normally use.

Bikram Yoga: This yoga type is also called hot yoga. This is because its chief feature is being performed in an extremely warm room. Heat can help tissues to stretch, making this kind of yoga a good tool for increasing your flexibility. However, if you have a heart problem or other cardiovascular disease, the warmth of the room in which Bikram Yoga is performed can be dangerous, because it places extra strain on this system.

Viniyoga: This type of yoga links breathing and flowing movements into individually adapted exercises. If you have a back problem or neck injury, this variety of yoga might be a good fit, as it's easily adapted to each person.

Raja Yoga: Designed to liberate the mind through meditation, this type of yoga works well for people who are interested in engaging in intense concentration.

Bhakti Yoga: A form of devotional yoga, this practice focuses on the surrender of the self in the face of the divine.

Mantra Yoga: Known also as the "yoga of potent sound", this practice focuses on the liberation of the mind via the repetition of sounds which have power. "Om" is the most familiar, but other mantras include "ram" and "hum".

There are plenty of different types of yoga to pick from. Before you join a class, talk to your teacher and find out his or her philosophy of yoga and beliefs on the subject. This will help you decide if the type of yoga is a good fit for you.

Want to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell's new book - The Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation - at:

[http://www.Mind-Body-Connection.com]

Which Yoga is Right For You?

Tips On Finding A Style That Fits

It seems like yoga is everywhere these days. There are yoga classes in gyms, high schools, senior citizen centers, and strip malls, each with a different spin: gentle yoga, hot yoga, restorative yoga, pre- and post-natal yoga, power yoga, and mommy and me yoga, just to name a few.

Why is yoga experiencing such popularity? It might be because of the health benefits yoga practitioners say they experience, and the fact that yoga can be tailored to their specific needs.

I am a firm believer that anyone can benefit from a dedicated yoga practice. Yoga can improve your health and bring clarity to your mind. Your muscles become stronger, and you will gain more flexibility in your joints, something that doesn't happen from working out at the gym.

In fact, many students have come to me with injuries sustained from working with weights or from years of running. You have to be careful if you have injuries, but that shouldn't prevent you from beginning a yoga practice. You should never feel pain in a posture. There are always modifications to protect an injured area.

Students Report Benefits

Dedicated yogis report all kinds of benefits from practicing yoga, from improved health to reduced pain.

"I began yoga to become flexible and strengthen my body for running, especially my upper body," says Suzanne Gentry of Eaton's Neck. "The benefits I have gained are numerous. I have a lot of flexibility, tighter abs, stronger legs and upper body. I am more relaxed and sleep well. I am able to run like I did ten years ago. My hamstrings no longer hurt and my quads are stronger."

Susan Noddle of Manhattan reports that yoga has reduced her pain from two herniated discs in her back that lie on the L5 nerve root and cause discomfort in her foot.

"I have practiced with this injury and while at times I have to modify or take it slow, it has not prevented me from practicing for any sustained amount of time," says Susan. "I have had to take a week or a few days off when it flares up, but I am always able to return. I also have had surgeries on both of my knees. My surgeon recommends yoga for my knees."

Monica Diamond-Caravella of Huntington tells of the positive effects of yoga on her chronic neck pain. "I suffer from chronic neck pain related to a motor vehicle accident. I've been through physical therapy twice, for at least nine months each, with traction. Yoga keeps my neck supple and flexible and the majority of the time I have no pain. If I don't keep up my practice, my neck pain comes back."

Yoga For Any Age, Any Level of Ability

People of any age can practice yoga. My students are all ages: from teenagers to 70-year-olds. Not only is practicing yoga possible at any age, you don't have to be able to touch your toes or bend like a pretzel to do it. Flexibility is a byproduct of practicing yoga. It's one of the benefits.

If you've "tried yoga and didn't like it," I would encourage you to take a class with a different teacher or try a different style. Yoga is so beneficial on many levels, no matter what your age. Don't give up because you didn't like the teacher, or you felt the class was too difficult, or too easy. There's a yoga class for everybody! 

A Guide to the Types of Yoga

Not sure where to begin? Here are brief descriptions of some of the different types of yoga available in our area:

VINYASA FLOW - "Vinyasa" means "to move with the breath." In some vinyasa-style yoga classes you will flow in and out of postures without having to hold one pose for very long. In others, the teacher may instruct you to stay in the posture longer, which may be more challenging. Anusara, Ashtanga, Jivamukti and Power Yoga are all vinyasa style practices.

ANUSARA - Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara is a vinyasa-style practice that emphasizes heart-opening through backbending and alignment and includes the use of props. Anusara means "flowing with Grace" and the practice aims to look for the good in all things. This class is good for students of all levels.

ASHTANGA - This system, passed on by Pattabhi Jois, involves linking movement to breath in a series of postures designed to detoxify, align and strengthen the body. In this type of yoga, the room in usually heated to 85 degrees. Many people find this a challenging practice.

JIVAMUKTI - Jivamukti means "liberation while living." This type of yoga was founded by David Life and Sharon Gannon and incorporates chanting, yoga philosophy and meditation along with postures and breath.

POWER YOGA - Similar to Ashtanga, power yoga synchronizes breath and movement. These classes are designed to build strength and flexibility and can be quite challenging.

BIKRAM YOGA (or HOT YOGA) - Named after its founder, Bikram Choudhury, this type of yoga is practiced in a room heated to 100 degrees or more. Prepare to sweat. A lot! This method consists of a set series of 26 postures with each posture repeated twice in 90 minutes. Wear light clothing, bring a water bottle and a very big towel.

HATHA - A hatha yoga class is a good place for beginners to learn the basic standing, seated and balancing postures of yoga. These classes generally move at a slower pace.

KUNDALINI - Kundalini yoga is designed to free energy in the lower body, allowing it to move upwards, awakening the seven charkas. This class consists of rapid, repetitive movements done with breath or holding a pose while breathing in a particular way. Classes include chanting and can be physically intense.

IYENGAR - This style is named after its originator, BKS Iyengar, and is characterized by precise attention to alignment in each posture. You will more than likely hear the teacher direct your attention to your feet, knees, hips, spine, sternum, neck, head, and other body parts in just about every pose. The use of props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets is encouraged.

RESTORATIVE - These classes focus on relaxing the body in postures that are comfortable, usually using props such as bolsters and blankets.

One way to make sure your instructor has been properly trained is to see if they are registered with Yoga Alliance, a national registry for yoga teachers. This indicates that the teacher has completed a standard course of study. A poorly trained instructor may inadvertently cause injury by forcing a pose or allowing a student to try something the student isn't ready for. Yoga Alliance's national registry is available online at www.yogaalliance.org.

Yvonne Suzuki Licopoli, Registered Yoga Teacher
Northport, New York

Several Methods of Physical Exercise - Which Will Help Us Improve Shape?

Playing golf requires physical fitness, ability of concentration and also positive thinking and attitude. Here are methods of exercise, which will improve your physical fitness, and positively affect strength, shape and manner, in which you employ the abilities of your body, and also the mind and emotions.

1. Aikido practice is dominated by pursuit of physical development and learning proper ways of breathing. Emphasis is placed on relaxation and concentration of energy.

2. The Pilates system emphasizes improvement of posture and body balance. Muscles are also strengthened. Proper use of muscles in everyday activities will improve functioning of the entire body, and will also enhance mental performance: your concentration ability and clarity of thinking will benefit. As Pilates grows in popularity, Pilate classes are being offered not only at specialized studios but also at gyms, health clubs, spas, rehabilitation clinics, senior facilities and community centers around the world.

3. Hatha Yoga: Performing positions, which allow for attainment of perfect body functioning, leading to better control of the mind and emotions.

4. Judith Aston therapy: The purpose of this therapy is to assist people in determination and recognition of habitual movements, developed due to stress, and subsequently to use body "intelligence" to find easier and more effective behavior models.

5. Tai-chi: Art of motion-related meditation; covers the physical and mental sphere. Exercises improve powers of concentration, provides grace, relaxation and ability of concentration.

The benefits of Tai-chi are realized on several levels: as a physical exercise for fitness and health, as a tool to relieve stress, as a spiritual exercise.

For more information and golf training tips [http://www.seminarsnetworking.com] please visit : [http://www.seminarsnetworking.com]

Philip Vermer

Yoga Types - Which One is Right for You?

With all the different types of yoga in existence today, choosing the right one can be hard for a beginner. It's important to choose the variety of yoga that's right for you in terms of fitness level, your spiritual and physical goals, and you health. Here are a few of the most common types of yoga to help you pick the best one for you and your situation.

Iyengar Yoga: This type of yoga focuses on precise movement and the alignment of the body. It often uses straps, blocks, and other props to help less flexible beginners perform the same movements as experts. These items can also help people with injuries adapt movements to their individual bodies. This allows everyone to perform yoga poses with comfort.

This type of yoga pays a lot of attention to detail, but poses are flexible and can be modified, making it a good choice for people who suffer from neck or back pain. Adjusting the poses can also help people with other injuries. Iyengar Yoga is a good choice if you'd like to get a good basic knowledge of classic yoga poses, giving you the fundamental for other types of yoga later on.

Teachers of Iyengar yoga are likely to focus on inner awareness and alignment. Inner awareness begins with the body, but then moves to other parts of ourselves as we continue with practice on a regular basis.

Ashtanga Yoga: This type of yoga has also been referred to as "power yoga". This is because flowing, powerful movements are a big focus of this discipline. Lunges, pushups, and other stamina- and strength-focused movements that aren't usually associated with yoga may be involved. People who are looking for a more challenging practice, or are looking to build strength after overcoming injuries, particularly to the back, may wish to practice this type of yoga.

If you're already fairly athletic, but want to add more balance to your routine than running, cycling, or working at the gym can provide, Ashtanga Yoga may help you. It can help you improve your concentration, and build muscles you don't normally use.

Bikram Yoga: This yoga type is also called hot yoga. This is because its chief feature is being performed in an extremely warm room. Heat can help tissues to stretch, making this kind of yoga a good tool for increasing your flexibility. However, if you have a heart problem or other cardiovascular disease, the warmth of the room in which Bikram Yoga is performed can be dangerous, because it places extra strain on this system.

Viniyoga: This type of yoga links breathing and flowing movements into individually adapted exercises. If you have a back problem or neck injury, this variety of yoga might be a good fit, as it's easily adapted to each person.

Raja Yoga: Designed to liberate the mind through meditation, this type of yoga works well for people who are interested in engaging in intense concentration.

Bhakti Yoga: A form of devotional yoga, this practice focuses on the surrender of the self in the face of the divine.

Mantra Yoga: Known also as the "yoga of potent sound", this practice focuses on the liberation of the mind via the repetition of sounds which have power. "Om" is the most familiar, but other mantras include "ram" and "hum".

There are plenty of different types of yoga to pick from. Before you join a class, talk to your teacher and find out his or her philosophy of yoga and beliefs on the subject. This will help you decide if the type of yoga is a good fit for you.

Want to learn more about how yoga can change your life? Check out Sarah Russell's new book - The Beginner's Guide to Yoga and Meditation - at:

[http://www.Mind-Body-Connection.com]

Fitness Or Spirituality - Know Which Yoga Style You Need

Traditional yoga styles like Ashtanga, Lyengar and Shivananda are already known to regular practitioners. However, the newer styles like TriYoga or Viniyoga would still confuse many people as to which would serve fitness or spirituality needs. Knowing the various styles and their focus on physical challenge or relaxation would prove helpful.

Hatha Yoga is the 'mother of all' yoga styles since current styles have evolved from this. Simultaneously, it is performed by a combination of the asanas with breathing exercises and cleansing practices (pranayama and shatkriyas) and meditation and deep relaxation. By long practice, the poses are held for long periods under an atmosphere of meditation.

Anusara Yoga highlights an attitude that upholds life and in adjustment to the heart. This style is based on the principle of proper alignment and that a joyful and receptive performance enhance the positive outcomes of the asanas.

Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga is a vibrant and strong style with a focus on breathing, that works with six specific sequences of poses and some elements of movement to connect the poses, thereby making a transition between the static traditional positions.

Bikram Yoga is made of a series of 24 positions and two pranayamas or breathing techniques intended to improve strength, balance and flexibility. This style stands out from the rest with its venue of a room that's heated up to 40 degrees Celsius, to cause more sweat for flushing out body toxins. Which came up with 'Hot Yoga' as the more popular term for this style.

Integral Yoga, from its term, integrates the asanas, breathing styles, meditation and deep relaxation into one complete procedure with a spiritual bent.

Popularized for its wide use of props of chairs, belts, blocks, etc. is Iyengar Yoga, which puts so much attention on particularities and focus on correct alignment. Newcomers are instructed in detail and also provided with basic information as to its health benefits.

Jivamukti Yoga comes from the Sanskrit definition of jivamukti, "liberation of the soul." This style has a spiritual inclination and is more traditional than others and is performed in particular progressions of asanas that are held for a long time, going on segue from one to the next in an energetic and flowing manner. Vegetarianism and awareness of the environment are promoted attitudes.

Kripalu Yoga, or its alternative term, Amrit Yoga is a mutually healing and mystical style. A gentle practice, its goal is to calm the mind and develop an attitude of open acceptance of the self and one's performance.

On the contrary, Kundalini Yoga is energetic and strong, aiming to stir the force of the serpent Kundalini, found at the base of the spinal column. This style also holds the asanas for long periods and emphasizes breathing techniques.

Power Yoga is a easy, dynamic and precise offshoot of Ashtanga style. The aim of this style is to increase staying power, energy and good health. It's said to be 'about feeling good, not just looking good.'

Sivananda Yoga integrates the tenets of exercise (asana), breathing (pranayama), relaxation (savasana), vegetarian diet and meditation.

TriYoga is a mixture of asanas, pranayama and mudras (sacred hand gestures) with fluid segues of strings of asanas.

Viniyoga is among the curative styles, centered on synching breathing and movements. Asanas are held for long periods too, but these are adapted to the practitioner's age and health condition.

Vinyasa Flow style is made of instant asanas which progress from one to the next in certain easy movements harmonized with breathing techniques. These 'flows' are designed for better vitality and flexibility, putting the mind at rest and creating spiritual awareness and healing. This style is an adaptation from the traditional Ashtanga-Vinyasa yoga styles.

Lindaa Adams really likes all things that have to do with health.

One of the leading health websites Linda has found is Yoga Kamloops, which is a distinctive combination of yoga and health.
You can watch a Free Video of the Kamloops Yoga Boot Camp for a incredible work out at any time.

Which Type of Yoga is Right For You?

People talk of yoga as though it is one thing but actually there are many types.

They all however have one thing in common, they promote health, strength, harmony and serenity in body, mind and spirit.

If you're thinking of taking up yoga, here's a guide to the various types of yoga available to help you make an informed choice.

Here we'll restrict ourselves to the common physical types of yoga. There are other types such as rajah (royal) and bhakti (devotional) yoga which are not really suited to a normal lifestyle.

Hatha Yoga is the most common style of yoga. This is the standard slow yoga that consists of postures and breathing exercises. Hatha yoga is perfect for the beginner as you can start off with just a few poses and breathing exercises a day and then build up.

Ashtanga Yoga, known as "power yoga" is most appropriate for the active person. It consists of a series of sequential, fast-paced postures. This type of yoga is currently enjoying great popularity and is quite accessible to beginners. The whole routine consists of six sequences of poses, each sequence of varying difficulty.

Bikram Yoga is a more orthodox school of yoga which is faithful to yoga's distant origins in Vedic India. One feature is that the place of practice is heated up to encourage sweating which it meant to purge harmful toxins from the body. For this reason it's often known as "hot yoga".

Iyengar Yoga, one of the most common styles practiced in the United States is a practice built around balance. Focusing mainly on standing poses, Iyengar Yoga requires the practitioner to concentrate on the alignment of this body. Balance and breathing are very important to this form.

Which type of yoga you choose is ultimately is a personal decision. You need to consider what you want to gain from practicing yoga, along with how committed you want to become. The great thing about yoga is that it can be everything from a simple exercise routine to a complete lifestyle. You can accept as much or little as you want. You don't need to be a Hindu. You just need to accept a few simple routines into your life.

Brett McDonald is a devoted practitioner of yoga. For info on the key yoga accessories you need for successful practice, please visit:
Travel Yoga Mats and Yoga Bag Straps