Anusara Yoga is a modern school of Hatha yoga that emphasizes alignment, heart-opening, and a deep connection to the spiritual aspects of yoga. Founded by John Friend in 1997, Anusara means “flowing with grace” or “following your heart,” reflecting its focus on joyful practice and celebrating the intrinsic goodness within everyone. Themes of love, community, and connection are often woven into classes, creating a supportive and uplifting environment.
Ashtanga Yoga is a rigorous and disciplined style of yoga developed by K. Pattabhi Jois. It involves a fixed sequence of precise postures, combining breath with movement to create a flowing, heat-building practice. The practice begins with Sun Salutations, followed by standing, seated poses, and backbends. Ashtanga emphasizes daily practice, discipline, and self-awareness, making it suitable for dedicated practitioners looking for a transformative and physically demanding yoga experience.
Bikram Yoga, founded by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s, is a specific style of hot yoga practiced in a room heated to around 105°F (40°C) with a humidity of 40%. The practice consists of a fixed sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, performed in a 90-minute session. The sequence is designed to systematically work every part of the body, promoting strength, flexibility, and balance. The heat aims to enhance muscle elasticity, prevent injury, and promote detoxification through sweating.
Hatha Yoga is a broad and foundational style of yoga that encompasses a wide range of physical postures (asanas) and breathing techniques (pranayama). The term “Hatha” is derived from the Sanskrit words “ha” meaning sun and “tha” meaning moon, symbolizing the balance of opposing forces. Hatha Yoga classes typically involve a slower pace and focus on alignment, strength, flexibility, and relaxation.
Hot Yoga refers to any yoga practice performed in a heated room, typically ranging from 90°F to 105°F (32°C to 40°C), with varying levels of humidity. The heat aims to replicate the warm climate of India, where traditional yoga originated, and it offers several benefits. The warmth helps to increase muscle flexibility and joint mobility, making it easier to stretch and achieve deeper postures. It also promotes sweating, which aids in detoxification and cleansing of the body. Hot Yoga can involve different styles.
Iyengar Yoga, developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, is a form of Hatha Yoga that emphasizes precise alignment, detailed instruction, and the use of props. Props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, and blankets are employed to help practitioners achieve correct alignment and make poses accessible to people of all abilities. This style of yoga focuses on holding poses for extended periods, allowing practitioners to deepen their understanding of each posture and develop strength, flexibility, and stability.
Restorative Yoga is a gentle and deeply relaxing style of yoga designed to help the body and mind unwind and rejuvenate. This practice involves holding a series of restful postures for extended periods, often supported by props such as bolsters, blankets, blocks, and straps. These props help to fully support the body, allowing for complete relaxation without any strain or effort. The focus in Restorative Yoga is on deep relaxation and the activation of the parasympathetic nervous system, which promotes healing and stress relief.
Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic and fluid style of yoga that links breath with movement in a continuous, flowing sequence of postures. The term “vinyasa” means “flow” highlighting the intentional connection between breath and movement. Classes typically begin with a series of sun salutations to warm up the body, followed by a variety of poses that flow seamlessly from one to the next. Vinyasa Yoga is known for its creative sequences, which can vary widely from class to class, keeping the practice engaging and stimulating.
