Yoga, an ancient mind and body practice, originated in India over 5,000 years ago. While all types of yoga focus on breathing and body postures, different practices emphasize distinct aspects and approaches. Some practices physically challenge participants, while others encourage a state of relaxation. According to Mayo Clinic, yoga reduces anxiety, helps a person manage stress and improves a person's range of motion and flexibility.
Ashtanga Yoga
During an Ashtanga class, participants do a continual pattern of six or more different Vinyasa poses, or asanas. Translated in Sanskrit, Vinyasa means "to place in a special way." Vinyasa poses are performed in a flowing sequence. According to Yoga Journal's website's "Not All Yoga is Created Equal," the movements' fluidity increases students' awareness of the connection between their thoughts and actions in life and in practice. During Ashtanga yoga, students focus their breath as fuel for movements and coordinate inhalation and exhalation with different poses.
Iyengar Yoga
According to Yoga Journal's website, Iyengar yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga practiced in the United States. Invented by B.K.S Iyengar, this practice emphasizes muscular and skeletal alignment. Belts, blocks, chairs, blankets and ropes are utilized during class to ensure that students achieve proper postural alignment during the poses. Iyengar yoga requires students to hold poses for longer periods of time than other yoga practices, according to Yoga Journal.
Ananda Yoga
Ananda practice was created by Swami Kriyananda in the 1960s. Practice focuses on spiritual growth and meditation. During a class, participants hold gentle yoga postures while repeating silent affirmations. According to Yoga Journal's website, the affirmations are intended to deepen and enhance the postures. Movements focus on moving energy towards the brain, controlling breathing and preparing the mind to enter into a meditative state.
Hatha Yoga
Mayo Clinic recommends Hatha yoga's slow movements and easy poses for stress reduction and yoga beginners. According to Yoga Journal's website, Hatha translates into "sun" and "moon," and the practice focuses on balancing and uniting opposite-energy forces in the body and mind. Poses challenge muscles while opening energy channels throughout the body. Yoga Journal's website states that Hatha yoga teaches people to be present in each moment and to focus on breathing.
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