Yoga Styles Guide

Although there are many styles of yoga, the differences are usually about emphasis, such as focusing on strict alignment of the body, coordination of breath and movement, holding the postures, or the flow from one posture to another. All of the styles share a common lineage. In fact, the founders of three major styles -- Astanga, Iyengar and Viniyoga -- were all students of Krishnamacharya, a famous teacher at the Yoga Institute at the Mysore Palace in India. Two other styles, Integral and Sivananda, were created by disciples of the famous guru Sivananda. No style is better than another; it's simply a matter of personal preference. More important than any style is the student-teacher relationship.

Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the physical side of yoga practice. It primarily derives from two limbs of Classical Ashtanga Yoga, asana (posture) and pranayama (breath-control). Most yoga styles practiced today, such as Power Yoga, Yin Yoga, Ashtanga, and Iyengar, have their roots in Hatha Yoga. Contemporary Hatha Yoga practice involves holding each posture for about 30-60 seconds, being still and breathing deeply.

Ashtanga Yoga
For those who want a serious workout, Ashtanga may be the perfect choice. Developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga is physically demanding. Participants move through a series of flows, jumping from one posture to another to build strength, flexibility and stamina. It's not for beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely approach to fitness. Not to be confused with Patanjali's much older Classical Ashtanga Yoga.

Flow Yoga
Flow Yoga connects Hatha Yoga postures together in a series of seemlessly linked poses, naturally following from one to the next. Using the breath as the rhythm, Flow Yoga classes vary in tempo from holding a pose for 30-60 seconds to moving with one breath per movement as in Power Yoga.

Power Yoga

Much like Ashtanga, Power Yoga emphasizes smooth, flowing transitions between physically challenging postures. Connected to breath and often using ujjayi breath, a particular form of pranayama, this style can move quickly and be very demanding. Whereas Ashtanga has a set series that is performed each class, Power Yoga is free to mix it up and create unique flows each class.

Hot Yoga
This is yoga practiced in a room heated up to as much as 40 degrees celsius. As you can imagine the body begins to sweat profusely and as the muscles warm up they relax making it easier to move into the postures. An intense session of sweating like this can help wash water-soluble toxins out of the body and leave the practitioner feeling invigorated and refreshed (after a cool shower that is!) Remember it is important to drink plenty of fresh, clean water before and after any yoga session, and even more important with Hot Yoga.

Pilates
The Pilates Method was created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. Similar in many ways to yoga, this style of movement focuses on developing strength and flexibility and in particular honing the complex, supportive musculature of the abdominal region. By developing the muscles that support the spine one is improving overal spinal health, a major determiner of whole-body well-being.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga is cool yoga. We keep the body cool and hold each posture for at least five minutes to target the joints. By stretching and working the joints gently we strengthen them and help increase the flow of energy (chi or prana) running through them and the whole body. The purpose of Yin Yoga is true to the original purpose of yoga: to help prepare the body to sit comfortably in meditation for long periods of time. And this class you will have ample opportunity to practicing quieting the mind as we sit still in each pose. For more information please visit www.yinyoga.com.

Freestyle Yoga Dance
Yoga can be described as an internal energetic dance, practiced in stillness. Freestyle Yoga Dance liberates these energies into free-form movement giving them expression through the body. This new fusion style taps in to ancient shamanic traditions where dance has always been a part of humanity's expression of consciousness.

Beginner Yoga
This class is a great introduction to yoga for the new student, as well as a great re-introduction for the more experienced student looking for a gentle class. In yoga it is important to keep the attitude of a beginner throughout our lives: remaining open minded, non-competetive and non-judgemental of our practice.

Candlelight Yoga
Come relax and unwind in the evening. Typically yoga is practiced in the morning for its energizing qualities. This class, dimly lit with candles, will help unwind the stresses of the day. Walk in feeling tired, walk out feeling refreshed.

Vinyasa
The Vinyasa-style was created by Sri Krishnamacharya, the "father of modern Yoga". Vinyasa Krama means "sequencing with prescribed parameters". Each variation is linked to the next one by a succession of specific transitional movements, synchronised with slow, deliberate, smooth, and coordinated breathing central to Krishnamacharya's method. Vinyasa does not just mean "breath synchronized movement". It is a beautiful and powerful style that develops all parts of the body with three elements: awareness, strength and flexibility. Those three should be given the same importance. It also offers a (limitless) range of asanas, therefore variety, flexibility, adaptability.

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