There are many different styles and practices of Yoga including the new practice of what is being called Heartbeat Yoga. Yoga is the ancient practice of combining breath and movement to obtain inner balance, health and enlightenment. Today, Yoga is practiced by a growing number of men, women and children as the health benefits are researched and proven by universities all over the world.
How it Works
The newly developed concept of Heartbeat Yoga takes traditional yogic asanas, or poses, and melds them with live electronic music which is intended to help inspire and center a person's practice.
How it's Different
In traditional Yoga classes, it is common for soothing music to be experienced in the background. Often this music is pre-recorded and varies only in the collection of the instructor. Some Yoga studios have live music, and it is common for acoustic instruments and traditional Indian instruments to be the focal point for the music. In Heartbeat Yoga, modern electronic instruments are used to create a more modern, though still soothing, musical experience which is constantly evolving and changing through improvisation and collaboration between the musicians.
Why it's Effective
Heartbeat Yoga utilizes traditional yogic asanas and meditative breathing in collaboration with music. Gentle Yoga practices, which have an inward focus, have been shown in studies to reduce stress, depression, anxiety and PTSD. In addition, a regular yoga practice may improve flexibility and physical endurance.
Considerations
The addition of live modern music may be appealing for some people, but not for others. If you have an aversion to electronic music, Heartbeat Yoga may not benefit you as well as a more traditional class. There are no studies to indicate that the addition of live music to a Yoga practice has any benefit for mental or physical well being. The attempt to trademark a traditional Yoga practice with the simple addition of music, which has been done before, may seem like more of a marketing scheme than an actual improvement. However, if you enjoy gentle electronic music, Heartbeat Yoga may be just what the doctor ordered.
References
- Heart Beat Yoga :What is Heartbeat Yoga?
- Harvard Health Publications- Harvard Medical School:Yoga for Anxiety and Depression
- "The American Physical Therapy Association Book of Body Maintenance and Repair"; Steve Vickery and Marilyn Moffat; 1999
- "Counseling and Psychotherapy Theories in Context and Practice"; Sommers-Flanagan and Sommers-Flanagan; 2009
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