Yoga: How Do You Know Which One to Do

by Heather Long | More from this Blogger

10 Oct 2006 07:17 AM

There are a great many forms of yoga available on the fitness market whether you are purchasing Yoga DVDs, fitness videotapes or signing up for a class at a fitness club, yoga health club or other. With such a plethora of opportunities, you might begin to feel a little overwhelmed about what form of yoga is right for you. While I am hardly an expert on yoga, I have studied some of the different forms shopping for the type of yoga that would work best for me.

Without further ado, here is a rundown of some of the styles of yoga available to you for your physical and mental well-being:

Ashtanga

This is a very strenuous form of yoga. This form is meant to specifically build your stamina, your strength and your flexibility. This form of yoga is often called 'power yoga' by fitness clubs. Unlike other forms of yoga, this is very fast-paced and you are going through your breathing and poses quickly. Ashtanga builds your confidence, calms your mind, improves your circulations and builds both strength and endurance. This is not a form of yoga for a beginner, but is for someone who is in moderate to improved physical condition.

Vinyasa

The word Vinyasa is Sanskrit. It means flow and this is a form of yoga that focuses very much on your breathing. The idea is to increase and slow the breathing and there is no direct order to the forms used. Instructors of vinyasa can mix and match as they see fit to increase and decrease the rates of breathing in order to build lung capacity, endurance and flexibility.

Hatha

This is the most popular form of yoga and can be found at most yoga studios and fitness clubs. This is considered the original form of yoga. Hatha focuses on the meditation, breathing and poses to achieve overall good health. When you think of yoga - you are most likely thinking of hatha yoga. This form relieves stress and helps the mind achieve clarity even as the body gains strength and flexibility. This is my preferred form of yoga and I have to agree with the experts - it's both relaxing and stimulating - it charges the mind and helps you find your creative centers even as it relieves excess tension and stress.

Bikram

This form was actually developed in the 1960s and is the basis for Hot Yoga. The yoga is performed in a very hot and humid room and is designed to use the heat to help you really get extension when stretching your muscles. A word to the wise, the hot room is REALLY, REALLY uncomfortable and can be hard for you to do your workout in. This is a form that's really only advisable for someone already in good shape who is looking for a physical challenge.

What form of yoga do you enjoy?

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Learn more about Heather Long

Heather Long is 35 years old and currently lives in Wylie, Texas. She has been a freelance writer for six years. Her husband and she met while working together at America Online over ten years ago.

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