In yoga, an asana is any type of physical posture. The Sanskrit names for yoga postures commonly end with "asana," such as Garurasana and Trikanasana---Eagle pose and Triangle pose, respectively. In the original yoga philosophy, asanas were just one part of a multi-faceted path to spiritual enlightenment. Today, they have become popular in the United States as a form of exercise.
Not all forms of yoga involve asanas: karma yoga refers to the practice of performing selfless acts of kindness, while jnana yoga emphasizes seeking enlightenment through meditation. Any form of yoga that uses physical postures is referred to as hatha yoga. Within hatha yoga, there are many different types geared toward specific objectives. Though classes such as vinyasa, Power yoga, Bikram and restorative yoga all involve the practice of asanas, there is a great deal of variation among different yoga styles. Some are energizing, some are relaxing; some explore yoga's spiritual roots, while others emphasize its physical benefits.
Vinyasa
The term "vinyasa" refers to a flowing sequence of asanas linked together by the breath. Vinyasa-style classes are usually fast-paced and include multiple repetitions of postures such as chaturanga, upward-facing dog, and downward-facing dog, which, when executed correctly, can build strength and endurance and also lengthen the spine.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga yoga is a vigorous vinyasa-style yoga that was popularized by yoga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who died in 2009. Ashtanga is a fast-paced style of yoga using six specific vinyasa series that increase in difficulty. The goal of Ashtanga is to create internal heat and improve the flow of energy in the body. According to the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute, Ashtanga yoga helps improve circulation by creating an intense internal heat that cleans and thins the blood, relieves joint pain, and helps remove toxins and disease from the internal organs. Ashtanga provides an intense mind-body workout in which there is little or no time for adjustment. In some Ashtanga classes, experienced students are allowed to work at their own pace.
Power Yoga
Power yoga was originally created as a Westernized approach to Ashtanga yoga in order to make it more appealing to an American audience. The term "power yoga" now generally signifies any physically challenging style of yoga that uses a flowing sequence of postures. The goal of power yoga is to build strength, flexibility and endurance through a rigorous physical practice that keeps students moving. Unlike Ashtanga yoga, postures are executed in no particular order and vary from class to class.
Bikram
Bikram yoga is a specific series of 26 postures designed by Bikram Choudhary, who began studying yoga in India at the age of four. Bikram created his patented yoga sequence to systematically work every part of the body and to help all internal organs function at maximum capacity. Bikram yoga is commonly referred to as "hot yoga," as it is always practiced in a room that is heated to approximately 105 degrees. The heat helps loosen muscles and create a sweat that releases toxins from the body. Unlike Ashtanga, Bikram is not a vinyasa-style class; short periods of rest are taken between each posture.
Restorative
Restorative yoga uses props such as bolsters, blankets, and blocks to support the body and encourage a state of deep relaxation. Restorative yoga uses many reclined postures to calm the mind and relieve stress. A restorative class may also include inverted postures to reverse the effects of gravity of the body.
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