Exercise participation is for the purpose of improved health and fitness. Yoga, as an exercise, improves strength and flexibility. Muscular strength is needed to hold your body in a position for an extended time. Flexibility allows you to work through a full range of motion. Hatha yoga, the most popular form of yoga, combines physical poses with breathing and meditation. Different forms of Hatha yoga use variations in intensities and pacing.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga offers an intense workout. Poses are sequenced in a fast pace to increase the intensity of the workout. An additional emphasis is placed on deep breathing. This style has been compared to a calisthenic-type workout. The purpose of a Kundalini yoga class is to draw upon and use stored energy.
Astanga Vinyasa Yoga
Astanga vinyasa yoga is a physically challenging form of yoga. Poses are consecutive and connected to push your body through demanding sequences. The warmup utilizes Sun Salutations, a 12 pose sequence working all of your major muscle groups. Deep breathing techniques are also utilized through the workout.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is referred to as a "technically correct" form of yoga. This form of yoga is intended for a special needs population through the use of props, or aids, for poses. The priority of the workout is to master the poses with correct alignment. Iyengar yoga is slower paced, but is still considered rigorous in nature.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is performed in a heated room to simulate the climate of India. Suggested room temperature is between 86-106 degrees Fahrenheit. The program consists of 26 poses and claims to detoxify, or cleanse your body. Due to the high temperature, Bikram yoga is suggested for only the most fit individuals.
Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda yoga does not focus on correct alignment and can be performed by individuals of all ages and fitness levels. The program combines many elements of yoga, including exercise, breathing, relaxation and meditation. The exercise component does focus on yoga as an exercise technique for the purpose of improved strength and flexibility levels in order to perform the exercises properly.
Considerations
It is possible to embrace all of the yoga exercise programs as they fit your fitness level. As changes in fitness levels occur, different yoga exercise programs will continue to offer challenges. By meeting these challenges, strength and flexibility levels will continue to improve.
References
- http://yogajournal.com/practice/873
- "Yoga"; Noa Belling; 2003
- "Yoga for the Joy of It"; Minda Goodman Kraines & Barbara Rose Sherman; 2010
- "Primary Yoga: Official Certification Manual"; Fitness Instructor Training; 2005
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