Types Of Yoga & Their Purposes

Yoga is an integration of mind and body. According to YogaJournal.com, yoga was initially created for the purpose of spiritual enlightenment. This ancient practice has evolved to include several types of yoga that originated from Hatha yoga. In hatha yoga, participants focus on postures and breathing to prepare the body for spiritual pursuits. Some popular variations of yoga focus on strength while others focus on spiritual connection. The type of yoga you choose to practice depends on fitness as well as personal goals.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is also known as Patanjali's Eight Limb Yoga and was developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, a renowned Sanskrit scholar. Jois believed that the path to purification is devised of eight spiritual practices. Vinyasa or breath and movement make Ashtanga yoga different from other styles. Each movement is accompanied by one breath. The length of inhalation and exhalation should match. Sweating is also important during Vinyasa because it cleanses the body and removes toxins. The purpose of Ashtanga is to improve circulation, improve strength, and calm the mind.

Power Yoga

Power yoga is a type of Ashtanga yoga. Devotees of K. Pattabhi Jois introduced the concept of Power yoga to the western world. The term, "Power yoga" wasn't coined until Ashtanga yoga teacher and author, Bender Birch's book, "Power Yoga: the Practice" became popular. Like Ashtanga, Power yoga is done by moving from one posture to another while synchronizing movements with breaths. Poses are also held for five breaths or longer. Power yoga begins with a warm up known as Sun Salutations designed to relax and stretch the muscles of the body and Power yoga is done in a heated room to improve muscle flexibility. Power yoga is used to tone the body, improve strength, stamina, flexibility, and to improve performance in certain sports.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar is a type of yoga that focuses on correct body alignment. In Iyengar classes, participants use blocks, straps, blankets, cushions and sandbags to get into postures. Postures in Iyengar are also held for a longer period of time as compared to other yoga practices. Precise alignment is necessary and Iyengar instructors walk around the room to ensure proper alignment of participants. Iyengar yoga differs from other disciplines by technique, sequence and instructor training. The purpose of Iyengar yoga is to improve stamina, flexibility, strength, coordination and balance. Iyengar yoga also improves posture, eases bodily aches and pains, and improves circulation.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga is named after its founder, Bikram Choudhury. Bikram yoga consists of 26 poses performed in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Participants hold poses for a certain period of time and each pose is performed twice. Bikram yoga is practiced in a heated room to allow participants to move deeper into poses. Bikram yoga strengthens muscles, improves circulation, releases toxins through sweating, and improves flexibility.