The Types of Yoga

The word "yoga" literally means "to yoke," and the practice developed as a way to yoke the body, mind and spirit together through movement, breathing and meditation. Yoga, a tradition thousands of years old, has gained mainstream popularity in the West as a form of mental and physical exercise. Each branch of yoga varies in speed, complexity and balance of the physical versus the spiritual elements.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha, the simplest type of yoga and the most commonly practiced in the West, sets the foundation for other forms of yoga. Hatha yoga focuses on bodily awareness through slow and controlled poses and breathing exercises. Hatha yoga promotes flexibility, strength and relaxation.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga takes the basic poses from Hatha yoga and adds intensity by performing them in quick succession. Each pose flows to the next through controlled and synchronized breathing. The goal of Ashtanga yoga is to generate internal heat to detoxify the body through sweat.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is based on the idea that a coil of energy, called the kundalini, rests at the base of the spine. Poses, breathing, meditation and chanting awaken the kundalini and draw the energy up through the rest of the body. Once released, the energy is said to heighten awareness while relaxing the body.

Ananda Yoga

The Ananda school takes a spiritual approach to the practice of yoga. While other forms of yoga are an end in and of themselves, Ananda yoga is simply the means to prepare the body and mind for meditation. Each pose encourages deep relaxation by tensing and releasing muscles throughout the body.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram, or 'hot' yoga, is practiced in a room set at 100 degrees Fahrenheit and high humidity. The heat is said to aid in flexibility while detoxifying the body and improving circulation. Each of the 26 poses stretch and strengthen the muscles necessary for the next pose in the sequence.

Iyengar Yoga

Inyegar yoga involves holding poses for longer periods of time with rest between each pose. The practice incorporates straps, blocks and cushions to assist those with limited flexibility or those recovering from injuries. The slow-paced sessions focus less on breathing and more on precise poses.