Power yoga appears on fitness schedules at gyms and studios across the United States. Some people may shy away from power yoga because it sounds like it is only for advanced, very fit yoga practitioners. While it does offer a strong, full-body workout, power yoga can benefit all sorts of exercisers and athletes.
Origins
Power yoga is an Americanized version of a fast-paced type of yoga taught by Indian yoga master K. Pattabhi Jois. Power yoga, known as Ashtanga, was introduced formally by yoga teacher and author of “Power Yoga,” Beryl Bender Birch in 1995. While the term Ashtanga was foreign, the name “power yoga” communicated to American participants that they were about to participate in a flowing, energizing class that also provided a good workout.
Features
Power yoga practice borrows from Ashtanga, Bikram and Iyengar yoga styles. Poses flow smoothly with the breath to energize the body and create heat. Power yoga focuses on specific poses that can be performed by various fitness levels. The poses--such as warriors, triangle and twists--are incorporated within the sun salutation. It also stresses proper alignment and, unlike Ashtanga, encourages you to hold the poses for several breaths to improve endurance and flexibility.
Benefits
Power yoga burns about 300 calories in an hour, depending on your intensity, weight and intensity of movement, according to the website Elysium Yoga. Power yoga also helps develop better posture and muscle tone. The movement patterns require focus and act as a moving meditation, allowing you to release tension and anxiety. Power yoga offers powerful cross-training for athletes who need to train though different planes of motion. It bolsters strength, stamina and flexibility.
Considerations
Power yoga is often performed in a heated room to encourage warmth in the muscles and greater flexibility. Some people avoid yoga because, when they exercise, they want an intense experience and believe yoga involves a lot of lying on the floor and stretching. Power yoga is a good way to transition from aerobics into the yoga studio. The consistent flow occupies the body and the mind in a challenging way while still improving body alignment and helping to develop a mind-body connection.
Misconceptions
You do not have to be flexible to join a power yoga class. Yoga is about learning to listen to your body and accept what it will give to you in class. Progress is measured against your own practice, not against other, more experienced yogis.
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