Yoga, despite being fashionable in the West, is an ancient practice that has proven to have many benefits, both physically and psychologically. For many, it's not just a way to keep their bodies fit and healthy, but it's also key to their mental well-being.
Due to its ancient history and popularity in Asian regions, there is no simple yoga at present, but rather different types of yoga have been created with different goals. Let's see who they are.
Benefits of Yoga
Anyone can learn to practice yoga, which is why it has so many followers. In the last decade, its practice in the West has increased so that it is possible to enjoy its benefits in any gym or specialized training centers.
The benefits of this ancient art are as follows:
- Improve flexibility
- Reduce stress
- Aid in physical recovery
- Improve your sleep
- Improve your mood
- Increase strength
- Helps maintain balance and coordination
- Prevents injuries
- Improve concentration
- Improve resistance
- Improve intimate relationships
- You can dive into these benefits in our articles: "6 Psychological Benefits of Yoga" and "10 Good Benefits of Yoga for Athletes (According to Science)"
Types of yoga
Over the centuries, the practice has evolved and many forms of yoga have emerged. They are as follows:
1 - Iyengar
The main feature of this type of yoga is the intensity with which attention must be kept in the present. It is named after its founder Bellura Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar. Use props such as wooden blocks, bands, harnesses, and incline boards to help achieve higher postures and allow people with physical limitations to perform asanas.
2 - Yoga Mindfulness
Mindfulness Yoga or Atento Yoga refers to a form of yoga that fully understands the breath and the connection between body and mind. It is a meditation in motion, where the most important thing is to be aware of the union of body and mind and to discover the limitations of each. Self-satisfaction and self-confidence are worked on.
3 - Bikram
This type of yoga refers to a series of exercises, especially 26 demanding asanas and difficult to master, which takes place in a room where the temperature is 42 ° C. Sessions last 90 minutes.
4 - Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is the most practical in the world. There are other types of yoga, some more spiritual and others that promote love and are more self-interested. Hatha yoga is known as physical yoga, and although it also has a spiritual component (meditation, breathing...), it has a strong physical component.
5 - Anusara
Modern type of yoga It was created in 1997. It focuses on your heart-opening asanas and takes into account the spiritual and meditative benefits of the practice.
6 - Passive yoga
Passive yoga It is a preventive and relaxing technique, and it is a healing therapy that covers all essential areas of a person: physical, mental and emotional. It is also called Thai massage.
If you want to know more, you can read our article: "Passive Yoga: Discover the Benefits of Stretching".
7 - Vinyasa yoga
This is known as the flow of yoga and refers to the connection with the breath and movement of the asana. The transition from one to the other is smooth. Each session ends with savasana, the ultimate relaxation pose.
8 - Yoga ashtanga
This type of yoga is also known as "Power Yoga". Like the previous one, it focuses on the connection between asanas and breathing, but the movements are faster and more physical.
9 - Hot yoga
Like yoga Bikram It is practiced in a room with high temperature. However, he does not see the sequence of 26 poses of Bikram, but can use any type of yoga.
10 - Kundalini yoga
It focuses on breathing (pranayama) and core work, paying attention to the development of awareness. Each position has a different breathing technique, with the idea that it strengthens the position. A very spiritual and meditative style.
11 - Yoga Yin
Developed by Paulie Zink, It is a slow style of yoga where poses are held for long periods of time. It helps strengthen connective tissue, improves blood circulation and increases flexibility.
12 - Jivamukti Yoga
It is a form of Hatha yoga, but it is not just a physical exercise to keep the body in shape or increase strength or flexibility. This style of yoga aims to create enlightenment and is based on the idea of unity, where relationships with others are very important.
13 - Kripalu Yoga
A form of yoga that has three distinct elements: knowing, accepting and learning from the body. It is based on a series of sustained postures that promote meditation. A person has to feel deeply to find the spontaneous flow in the asanas.
14 - Restorative yoga
A work that requires deep meditation, with slow movements. A few poses of yoga and a short duration, but the goal of mental cleansing is to feel like a new person.
15 - Yoga Sivananda
A slow yoga practice that always uses 12 asanas. This type of yoga originates from the philosophy that relaxation, nutrition, exercise, and positive thinking work together to create a healthy yoga lifestyle.
16 - Viniyoga
It is based on the idea of adapting goals to your needs and abilities. "They" refer to differentiation, adaptation and appropriate application. It's a new type of yoga that doesn't use strength and flexibility if it's not proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF).
17 - Prenatal yoga
Yoga can be a great help for mothers. Prenatal Yoga It is ideal for women who are pregnant. Thanks to prenatal yoga, moms-to-be can take care of their bodies or maintain a healthy and calm mind, as well as a much easier delivery.
18 - Tantric yoga
Yoga, whose origin is the control of all energies, including sexual. It is ideal to practice as a couple as it promotes union and balance between masculine and feminine energies.
19 - Forrest Yoga
Forrest Yoga is a physically demanding practice that aims to transport human transformation beyond the yoga sessions. It aims to overcome emotional disturbances and find a way forward.
20 - Ishta Yoga
This type of yoga was created by Alan Finger in the 1960s in South Africa. It is based on the idea of mental clarity and generosity of soul. This practice combines the principles of Hatha and Tantra yoga.
21 - Yoga focused on the Core
This is a form of yoga that has been established in gyms in the United States. He was born in Denver in 2002 and has since spread throughout the West. It draws attention to the central part of the body.
22 - Integral yoga
A gentler style of Hatha yoga based on the ideas and guidelines of Sri Swami Satchidananda. In an attempt to integrate mind, body and spirit, this type of yoga includes chanting and meditation.
23 - The agony of yoga
Founded in Canada in 2004, it is also called Yoga Mode. It is a style of 45 asanas performed in a heated room, just like hot yoga.