New to Yoga?Learn about the Different Types of Yoga and Discover Yoga for Beginners!
3 Types of Yoga: Vinyasa, Hatha, & Bikram
Vinyasa YogaComing from their usual high intensity aerobic workout, many people find that certain yoga classes are not fast-paced enough and too methodical in movement. If this is you, then vinyasa style yoga would most likely be your perfect fit. Vinyasa means “the flow of breath with movement,” which is to say that every inhale leads you into one pose and every exhale leads you into another. The speed of the class varies upon the instructor, but the flow of movements is sure to get anyone’s sweat glands working and their heart pumping.
Hatha Yoga
Bikram YogaYogiraj Bikram Choudhury is the founder of Bikram Yoga. He has developed a series of 26 poses, which are performed in a room heated at 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The reason for the high temperature is to allow your muscles to be more flexible, in turn allowing you to move into the different poses with ease. There has been some controversy as to the dangers of the high temperature of the room causing dehydration, especially if the instructor does not allow you to drink water throughout the class. My advice: if you are interested in trying Bikram yoga, consult your physician first, be sure to sign up for a beginner’s class, and do not be without a towel and plenty of water. In my personal opinion, it is unsafe to do any strenuous activity for more than 20 minutes without water.
Gym vs. Studio Yoga: What's the Difference? | |||||||||||||||||||||||
Essentially, all yoga is Hatha yoga. “Ha” meaing sun, and “tha” meaning moon in Sanskrit, describes a balance and joining of opposites, which is what most yogis agree is the essence of yoga—both the physical and spiritual elements. It was originally created as a series of poses to help train the physical body for demanding meditation practices. However, with that being said, “hatha style” classes may focus more on alignment and meditation than other styles and can be slower paced. Remember however, that in yoga just because one style moves faster or slower, the speed does not dictate the level of difficulty. Deciding which is more challenging physically is up to each individual— often you will find that the challenge of meditation and pranayama (breath work) are far more challenging than the physical asanas (poses).
A yoga studio on the other hand, specializes in the art of yoga and is able to accommodate you with more of a variety in the styles of yoga they offer. The teachers are most likely all Yoga Alliance Certified and therefore knowledgeable and professional. My advice? Try both! You are more apt to find what you’re looking for and what’s right for you if you shop around and try different styles. Have fun with it and remember that you know your body better than anyone else—go with what feels good to you.
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In the past decade or so, many gyms with aerobic rooms began offering yoga to their members due to its growing popularity. I used to seriously question the expertise of the teachers, as most gyms did not, and to some extent still do not, require a proper Yoga Alliance Certification from any of their yoga instructors. This is beginning to change, however, and if you would like to start taking regular yoga classes at your gym, you should request that all of the teachers be certified to ensure you are getting the most out of your practice. Remember that gyms do not specialize in yoga, just as a yoga studio does not specialize in personal weight training; and since you aren't paying to take each class like you would at a studio, you can expect to "get what you pay for," so to speak.
Yoga for Beginners
Click on the links below for a few good yoga poses to get you started:
- Downward Facing Dog
- Plank
- Cobra
- Child’s Pose
- Warrior 2
- Prasarita Padottanasana (wide leg forward bend)
- Uttanasana (forward fold)
- Viparita Karani (legs up the wall)
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Article Written By: Megan Helgeson is a freelance writer on health and wellness, a yoga instructor, and a personal lifestyle trainer--helping you get the most out of life with home organization, time management, nutrition, positive intention, and goal setting. Contact Megan at mmhelgeson@gmail.com**Don’t forget to ask about Diva Yoga Parties in Orange County. |  |
