There are different Types of yoga , Created by different founders, with different benefits and focused on particular goals.
Yoga is a philosophical doctrine that bases its principles on a better control of the body and the mind by the application of different types of techniques originating from India and the Himalayas. Without going further, analyzing its etymology, comes from the word Juk, which means union of the physical and mental being.
Brief History of Yoga
We must look back a few millennia ago to go back to the origins of yoga. Exactly 3,000 BC, when the Yoga Sutra , The scriptures that provide the necessary help for a correct spiritual growth at the same time as an improvement of the physical body.
But, speaking of the importance of the scriptures belonging to the Yoga Sutra, it is necessary to point out that it is composed of a total of 195 guidelines to carry out this activity successfully.
This famous practice is mixed with other types of philosophies such as Hinduism and Buddhism.
We also find a number of terms that are necessary to be clear when it comes to understanding yoga-based writing. Among the most common words we find we can point out the asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing), dhyani (meditation) and dharana (concentration).
It should also be noted that there are several Hindu yoga schools among which we find Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Laya Yoga and Hatha Yoga.
What are the objectives of this practice? Getting ourselves disciplined by mental and physical control.
Yoga through time and space
It is not possible to understand yoga without looking at the years in which it would be globalized: the modern age. From its origin in the Asian areas would make the leap towards full European and American culture in the nineteenth century.
Specifically, special interest in this practice was shown in North America, when N.C. Paul published his Treatise on Philosophy of Yoga In 1851. Subsequently, Swami Vivekananda , The first Hindu master, would tour throughout Europe and the United States publicizing this practice by the different countries that traveled, something that would trigger a great stir in the mass media, making itself known in a massive way.
In a speech he delivered to more than 7,000 people in the World Parliament of the Regions pronounced some famous words that would go down in history for the followers of Yoga:
I am grateful to some of the speakers in this rostrum who, referring to the delegates of the East, have told them that these men can claim the honor of carrying the idea of tolerance to different lands. I am proud to belong to a religion that has taught the world not only tolerance, but also the acceptance of all religious creeds. We not only believe in universal tolerance, but we accept all religions as true.
This would mark a before and after in such a philosophy of life. Even so, it was not until the 1960s that yoga finally managed to take root in a definitive way. Swami Sivananda gained the fame of guru with the yóguico system, a process that is based on five basic pillars that we will later name in some of the practices.
In the 1970s, India was already considered the world center of yoga, as a mecca to which all practitioners had to go based in New Delhi. It was precisely in the capital that the center of research and activities dedicated to the practice of the world's largest yoga was to be opened.
It has now become a phenomenon encompassing all ages and social groups.
Types of yoga
The ways to run a yoga class are multiple. In the following classification you can observe the main uses given to this practice summarized in the different types that exist:
1-Anusara or Iyengar
This practice of yoga moves on a basis that is that of sincerity and acceptance. It was created in 1997 by the American John Friend and seeks that the practitioners do not fall in prejudices.
2-Ashtanga
It is also called as Power Yoga, it is one of the most demanding on a physical level. There is no rest and helps to lose weight, getting to burn a total of 500 calories per hour.
It focuses on the empowerment and recovery of the lost body?? Through the generation of heat. It is ideal for retired athletes who want to find part of the potential they lost again.
3- Hatha
Ideal for beginners, the Hatha style is cemented onto simple poses and a slow pace. In addition, different instruments can be used to help us. Here we must concentrate on breathing and relaxation through meditation.
According to a study in Psychosomatic Medicine, women who performed this type of yoga regained tension faster than those who did not.
4- Bikram
Invented by Bikram Choudhury, due to his name, it must be done inside a sauna that is set at 105 degrees Celsius with 40% humidity. In this space would have to perform a total of 26 basic yoga postures during two series that take about an hour and a half.
This practice works our body, but equally needs a maximum mental concentration, since it is one of the most demanding that can be found.
5- Forrest Yoga
Again, another embodiment is performed in a hard and strong manner. Its main objective is the release of physical and emotional tension and pain as a form of disconnection. This method was devised by Ana Forrest in 1982.
6- Hatha
One of the most complete styles, since it covers practically all types of modern yoga. This is based on a classic view regarding exercises, which focus mainly on breathing exercises coupled with different ancestral postures.
7- Iyengar
Created by BKS Iyengar, you need different instruments like belts, harnesses and boards to perform the positions in a more correct way. Iyengar himself admits that he is raised for"all ages and abilities".
In addition, it is well known that certain positions show difficulty in representing them, but here what is sought to train and improve our biomechanics. This practice translates into a multitude of occasions as a relay of rehabilitation for injury recoveries.
8- Kripalu
One of the most curious and striking. It begins with a first instance that is based on knowing our body performing different postures and poses. This helps us to know our limits. The second step is based on a deep meditation to end with an auto?? Nutrition of the different positions asanas.
9- Ishta Yoga
Founded by Alan Finger, this practice is relatively new since its bases were definitely settled in 2008. It contains vinyasa sequences aligned with breathing and cleansing techniques. It is about balancing the organism to help us grow spiritually.
10- Kundalini
Translated as a snake, we talked about constant and invigorating poses for about 90 minutes. When we speak of Kundalin, we refer to a channeling of energy through its expulsion by focusing on the lumbar spine, which is the core of our body.
11- Prenatal
As its name implies, it is a practice designed exclusively for pregnant women. It can be performed during any gestation period because the prenatal is adapted to all stages. The main function is to strengthen muscles and energy so that women can cope with pregnancy, childbirth and postpartum in the best way possible.
12- ParaYoga
It stems from the emphasis of challenging and powerful postures that are summarized in a Tantric philosophy based on a mixture of ancient texts and a modern life created by Vara Stryker and Pandit Rajmani Tigunait in 1995.
13- Restorative
It stretches for a total time of 20 minutes four or five simple poses that will be made on supports such as pillows, cushions or blankets. The main purpose of the restorative is relaxation, tranquility and peace, where a psychic cleansing takes place.
14- Sivananda
Designed to perform 12 basic asanas (it is possible to perform them with small variations). As experts say, its structural pillars are based on the theory of five points: breathing, relaxation, diet, exercise and positive thinking.
15- Viniyoga
For beginners and very similar to Iyengar. It helps to adapt to the different poses required by each user to perform them correctly and optimally. The principles of proprioceptive neuromuscular (FNP) are used based on the heating, the contractions and the stretches.
A study in the US Internal Medicine Archives concluded that it reduced chronic back pain in a dozen weeks.
16- Kripalu
It has originated during the first half of the twentieth century with Professor Swami Kripalu who preached the observation of our body and mind in such a way that the poles of classes are totally opposite: there are aggressive and there are soft. Its purpose is justified by asanas, meditation and different techniques of relaxation.
17- Vinyasa
This style adapted to the Ashtanga in the 80's to become (and continue today) the most popular among the population of the United States. It is also called as?? flow?? From which it is said that there will never be two equal classes. It must flow from one position to another.
18- Jivamukti
In this practice devised by David Life and Sharon Gannon in 1984 in New York, the name of Jivamukti is translated"liberation into life". It is a physical activity that integrates the traditional spiritual elements of ancient Yoga like Sanskrit singing or a vegetarian way of life. It has common roots with Vinyansa.
19- Sivananda
90-minute classes that focus on a total of 12 simple postures linked to the Sanskrit song where pranayama, meditation and relaxation play a fundamental role.
20- Yoga in the tradition of Krishnamacharya
This style owes its name to T. Krishnamacharya, known as the father of modern yoga and his classes focus on the conception of small groups linked to the practice of different types of asanas with each coordinated under a breath of inhalation or exhalation respiratory.
21- Yin
Called in another way as Taoist yoga, and it is about performing passive, relaxed and tranquil poses. The role of gravity is very important in the Yin where most of its exercises are carried out horizontally on the ground.
Scientifically it focuses on the elongation of the connective tissues, activating and strengthening our nervous system, helping to reduce much of the pain and stress .
22- Tantra Yoga
Based on the couple, it serves to enhance their spiritual connection in addition to creating a closer bond between the two.
23- Purna Yoga
Developed in a line very similar to the practice of Yoga Iyengar are short meditations that begin developing throughout the class. One of the objectives that are proposed is the union of the group spiritually.
recommendations
To finish we will show you a total of five recommendations when it comes to performing yoga:
- Refrain from performing the exercise 2 to 3 hours after eating. This is because we must successfully perform the digestion to be able to carry out the yoga class to perfection.
- Those who know Yoga know that with the body and mind it is possible to carry out most of the styles available to this discipline. In spite of this, it is necessary to dress in the most appropriate way possible. That is why it is recommended to wear shorts and a sweatshirt that pulls and that facilitates the execution of different asanas
- Always take a mat to the class is necessary, as is a towel to dry the sweat and be able to perform in a good way the positions that are required.
- When we talk about the occasions that have to do yoga a week, it should be noted that it is a type of activity that can be carried out daily, although if practiced two to three times a week would also be a beneficial periodicity.
- As for the time of the sessions, if the style chosen does not specify the minutes to perform, the correct average is usually between one hour and a half of exercise.