Yoga postures, also called asanas, are named after animals, plants and other elements in nature. The purpose of practicing yoga is stretching the muscles, relaxing the body, reducing stress and increasing concentration. This is done through practicing the various yoga asanas using controlled breathing and in some types of yoga, repetition of mantras. Yoga is built on one main structure, but there are a variety of different schools of yoga with different types of yoga postures.
Hatha Yoga Postures
Hatha yoga is the most well-known type of yoga in America. Hatha yoga is a system of physical control, using various yoga postures combined with controlled breathing techniques. These postures focus on stretching the physical body and releasing stress and tension in the muscles. According to yoga-breathing.com, Hatha yogis believe that the body can influence the mind and through practicing the postures. Hatha yoga provides mental stability, reduction of stress, anxiety and other nervous disorders. A common Hatha pose is the plank posture. The plank pose strengthens the abdominal muscles and increases upper body strength. You hold up your body by the toes and arms in the "up" position of a push-up, says anmolmehta.com. You hold it for about 15 seconds and should breathe normally. Other Hatha positions include the butterfly pose, cat-cow pose for emotional health, lion pose for cleansing the body and spinal twists for releasing lower back tension.
Bikram Yoga Postures
Bikram yoga postures are more athletic than Hatha postures. Bikram yoga, practiced in a warm room, is sometimes referred to as hot yoga. It's a system of postures to build strength, warm and stretch the joints and ligaments. A Bikram session typically lasts 90 minutes using 26 postures in a specific order that warm and stretch the muscles and joints, and increase lung capacity from practiced breathing techniques. Each Bikram posture targets a particular body part or region. One Bikram pose is tadasana, or tree pose, for posture and thighs. Another pose is salabhasana, or locust pose, that improves spine flexibility. Matsyendrasana, or spine twisting pose, is another Bikram posture for spine flexibility, according to Yoga Breathing.
Ashtanga Yoga Postures
Astanga yoga postures focus on rhythmic breathing, concentration and a system of postures as a base for meditation, according to ashtangapaloalto.com. Ashtanga yoga is fluid and connects each posture by using the breath. Unlike other types of yoga, Ashtanga postures are performed one after anther, one flowing into the next, without any breaks. Most other types of yoga perform one posture, rest and then perform another posture. Ashtanga postures start with a warm-up series of sun salutations. As you warm up, other postures are included, such as standing postures and the more complex triangle pose.
Kundalini Yoga Postures
Kundalini yoga is an ancient yoga form that focuses on breathing, meditation and chanting while performing the postures. Kundalini postures can be performed by anyone. They are more simple postures designed to target a specific part of the body while meditating. Mantras are used as affirmations while performing the various poses. Kundalini postures are designed to stimulate glands or organs in the body. Some postures use pressure on acupressure points. A basic Kundalini posture is the lotus, or padmasana, posture. Another posture is the archer pose, virabhadraana, which helps the flow of energy and build self-confidence, says anmolmehta.com.
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