Yoga Can Change Your Life Today!

In 2700 B.C, yoga was first invented in ancient India as a spiritual practice that focused on uniting the mind and body together through a series of different movements and poses. Yoga aims to increase your awareness through practicing control and calming the mind through deep breathing exercises. It is through being more aware of your detached consciousness and the environment that surrounds you that you are able to bring harmony to your mind and body. Regular practice of yoga can improve your endurance, strength, calmness, flexibility and overall well-being. There are a variety of different types of yoga poses and we’re going to explore ten of them in detail below:

1. Hatha Yoga: This is a general introduction to yoga that teaches basic yoga poses, where you have to hold specific oses a little longer than other poses. Sessions for this type of yoga are usually between 40-90 minutes long as it focuses on breathing, meditation and consists of various poses. For people just beginning to learn yoga, hatha yoga is an ideal place to start as the movements are slow and focused. Allowing you to get used to the movements and postures.

2. Vinyasa Yoga: This type of yoga is focused on transitioning from one pose to another pose based on breathing movements. Many of the poses in Vinyasa yoga are only held for one breath and then switching the pose to another one. Vinyasa yoga relies heavily on both the inhale and exhale of the individual as you are continually focusing on strengthening the connection between breath and movement.

3. Ashtanga Yoga: Ashtanga is a specific style of a vinyasa as it focuses on developing a smooth pattern at a slow pace. Ashtanga has a defined sequence of three sets of postures and these postures must be held for over five breaths long. These postures sets get more challenging as you progress to the end. The first posture set focuses on forward bends, the second on backward bends and the final posture set focuses on the arms to maintain balance. All of these posture sets must be performed correctly before moving onto the next posture set.

4. Hot Yoga: In a hot yoga class the temperature of the room is between 90 and 110 degrees as the heat of the room is intended to loosen the muscles and make you perspire. Hot yoga uses Vinyasa style as the movements are heavily focused on breathing and continuous movement. If you are attending a hot yoga class ensure you dress appropriately, carry a towel and water bottle to stay hydrated.

5. Restorative Yoga: Due to its slow movements the focus is on stretching to relieve stress and tension making this an ideal yoga for beginners. Restorative yoga takes about 60 minutes to complete as this type of yoga allows you to relax and focus on building your strength, fitness and agility. Restorative yoga can be for anyone as it offers the proper tools needed to provide support and keep with the use of other tools during the workout it makes things less stressful for participants.

6. Iyengar Yoga: Iyengar yoga uses a variety of different tools such as chairs, straps, blocks and pillows to help create and support an aliment to achieve balance. The oses must be performed in a specific order and process in order to achieve desired results. Iyengar yoga builds balance, flexibility and strength through these movements and this specific type of yoga can help to treat back pain for individuals.

7. Aerial Yoga: This style of yoga uses hammocks attached to the ceiling to support a variety of different poses and movements. The hammock is used as a tool to increase flexibility, strength and makes difficult poses much easier as there is less strain on the body due to the support of the hammock. Aerial yoga focuses on strengthening the core, joints and muscles in the body.

8. Yin Yoga: In yin yoga, the focus is on holding poses from one to ten minutes long. The focus is on being able to maintain the posture, relax the muscles and mind when stuck in the pose for a while. The idea is to be comfortable with the uncomfortable length of the pose. This type of yoga also uses tools while performing these movements.

9. Katonah Yoga: This style of yoga focuses on bringing bones into alignment with the poses to enhance organ function within your body. Katonah yoga combines geometry and Taoist principles together as a strategy to properly align your bone structure to effectively maximize the benefits these poses can bring to your body. The focus is not on building muscles. Instead, you're looking for a way to improve the functions of your organs.

10. Kundalini Yoga: Kundalini yoga is more of a spiritually driven yoga as it focuses on many aspects beyond postures. Kundalini yoga is focused on using the lower base of the human spine as an untapped area of energy that can be put to use and move other parts of the body through chakras or locks. Some of the yoga in this is very quick and positions can be held for over six minutes.

As you now know yoga has many health and fitness benefits as it strengthens muscles, enhances your flexibility, improves your breathing and sleep cycles. It can also support your heart as it reduces stress, anxiety, depression, and chronic pain you may be experiencing. Overall, getting involved and active in yoga can help you to enhance your life and well-being. Take care of yourself today and give yoga a shot it may just work wonders in your life!