What is Kundalini Yoga?

Kundalini yoga incorporates dynamic yoga poses, breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation to stimulate and awaken the glandular and central nervous systems. Kundalini means untapped energy (prana.). The goal of Kundalini yoga is to awaken this energy by stimulating the seven chakras or energy centers (which correspond to major nerve ganglia and glands of the endocrine system, as well as to various bodily processes, such as breathing, digesting, and procreating.

Kundalini sequences consist of yoga postures done in conjunction with a specific breath exercise. Sometimes  the yoga postures are rapid, repetitive movements. Other times, the yoga postures are static moves held for extended periods while focusing on intense breath work.

Kundalini yoga is well suited to people who enjoy a more free form, intense physical practice, coupled with a great deal of attention to the spiritual side of yoga. Personally I thoroughly enjoy the way I feel afer a Kundalini class, however I’m less attracted to some of the more extreme teaching (eg ‘white tantric yoga’, auras, etc)

What is Bikram Yoga?

Bikram yoga is also known as “hot yoga” or “fire yoga”. Practiced hot, humid rooms with temperatures at 105 degreess, Bikram yoga is an extremely vigorous form of hatha yoga that promotes profuse internal heat and external sweating, which is said to increase flexibility and rid the body of toxins. In Bikram yoga participants perform 26 yoga postures, with each posture being performed twice. Bikram yoga is a very structured yoga routine that requires a great deal of stamina and discipline. Beginners should drink plenty of water before class, bring bottled water to class, and take breaks to avoid dizziness or nausea.

Bikram Yoga is not suitable for people with heart disease, high blood pressure, or previous heat cramps/stroke.

Personally I thought that Bikram yoga was a major marketing scam. Then I went to class and found I liked it quite a bit. I enjoyed the hot, humid environment and the teacher was awesome (here name is Julia and she owns Flagstaff Bikram Yoga).

What is Ashtanga Yoga?

Ashtanga yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of yoga postures to produce intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. It is an intense, fast paced yoga best suited to athletic individuals who seek a high energy, highly ordered yoga practice. The linear, performance driven nature of the masculine energy seems highly attracted to Ashtanga Yoga. Personally I do not care for Ashtanga yoga. I prefer more creativity and free flow in my yoga sessions. I don’t like being wed to a rigid series of yoga postures. Plus most Ashtanga yoga teachers I’ve met are too focused on physical movement, and not so focused on the spiritual aspects of yoga.

Note: Ashtanga actually means “eight-limbed yoga,” however many Ashtanga yoga practices in the west only incorporate limbs 3 (exercise/asanas) and 4 (breath/pranayama).

The Ashtanga primary series is called Yoga Chikitsa, which means yoga therapy. The series of 75 poses takes 90 minutes to two hours to complete, and is designed to realign the spine and detoxify the body, while building strength, flexibility and stamina. The primary series begins with sun salutations, then progresses to specific standing poses, seated poses, inversions backbend, and finally relaxation. Once one masters the primary series, she is invited to the next step in her Ashtanga Yoga Practice – the intermediate series.

The intermediate series is called Nadi Shodana, meaning nervous system purification. The intermediate series is designed to cleanse and strengthen the nervous system and the subtle energy channels throughout the body. This series follows the same progression as the primary series, but introduces the yoga student to several new poses and variations.

The four advanced series, which are attempted only after mastering the primary and intermediate series, are called Advanced series A,B,C and D. They are also called Sthira Bhaga, which means divine stability. Pattabhi Jois originally outlined two intensive advanced series, but later subdivided them into four series to make them accessible to more people. These series emphasize difficult arm balances and extreme flexibility. They are only appropriate for extremely physically advanced Ashtanga students.

Types of Hatha Yoga

In this article we offer a brief introduction to the many types of Hatha Yoga found throughout the world. To learn more about a particular type of yoga, click on the corresponding name. If you know of a type of yoga that you would like included in this list, please email monique@moniquedanielle.com with detailed information.

Ananda Yoga is focused on raising awareness and consciousness through moving meditation that incorporate asanas, pranayama and spiritual concentration.

Anusara Yoga is a very Western type of yoga. In an Anusara yoga class students move through a series of vinyasa style yoga postures, while focusing on heartfelt intentions that are meant to improve a student’s daily life. ..

Ashtanga Yoga is a type of yoga that involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of yoga postures to produce intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. It is an intense, fast paced yoga…

Bikram Yoga is also known as “hot yoga” or “fire yoga”. Practiced hot, humid rooms with temperatures at 105 degreess, Bikram yoga is an extremely vigorous form of hatha yoga that promotes profuse internal heat and external sweating….

Forrest Yoga Yoga  uses heat, deep breathing and vigorous sequences to sweat out toxins while the long holds in the pose progressions help  flush, oxygenate and rejuvenate every cell in order to strengthen the core person…

Fresh Air Yoga incorporates slow flow yoga postures (asana), mindful breathing (pranayama), guided meditation relaxation (sivasana), yogic touch, music therapy and aromatherapy into a complete system for physical, mental and emotional transformation.

Integral Yoga seeks to integrate the mind, body, and spirit,through yoga that goes beyond the physical practice of yoga postures: He seeks to inspire students to find fulfillment in themselves and promote a peaceful existence with others.  That Hatha Yoga portion of integral yoga is very gentle and non-competitive.

Iyengar Yoga is a type of yoga that focuses on precise alignment and the use of “props” like blankets, straps, mats, blocks, and chairs to help achieve proper alignment. Iyengar Yoga includes restorative yoga…

Jivamukti Yoga is a physically intense Vinyasa style yoga. Each class has a theme, which is explored through yoga scripture, chanting, meditation, asana, pranayama and music.

Kripalu Yoga is a gentle, compassionate yoga that emphasizes asana in conjunction with intense meditation and breathwork to  achieve physical healing and spiritual transformation…

Kundalini Yoga incorporates dynamic yoga poses, breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation to stimulate and awaken the glandular and central nervous systems. Kundalini means untapped energy (prana.)…

Sivananda Yoga follows a set structure that includes breathing, classic asanas, relaxation, as well as principles of diet and positive thinking.

Tibetan Yoga is an ancient type of yoga that incorporate the ‘Five Rites into a continuous sequence of movement with a conscious synchronization of breath and movement. It is a specific 20 minute yoga routine.

ViniYoga is a gentle type of yoga that encourages self reflection, body awarenss, and a customized yoga practice according to students individual needs and goals.

Vinyasa Yoga or Power yoga is an athletic style of yoga similar to Ashtanga yoga. It is different in that is does not adhere to a specific sequence. It is similar in that is emphasizes synchronization of breath and movement, powerful moves and strength.

Yin Yoga is a slow moving, gentle yoga to balance our counteract your yang style of yoga. It is yoga for the joints, not the muscles. …

Yogafit is often referred to as ‘gym yoga’, because it is often what is taught at your gym (as opposed to the yoga studio).  Yoga fit does not adhere to traditional yoga philosophy and is more focused on yoga as exercise.

Additional Forms of Hatha Yoga Include:

• Ishta yoga
• Triyoga
• Svaroopa yoga
• Sampoorna yoga

What is Hatha Yoga?

Hatha Yoga is the most commonly practiced form of yoga in the United States. There are five major paths in the science of yoga: Raja Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga and Nada Yoga. Within Raja Yoga there are eight steps. Hatha Yoga concentrates on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayama) steps of Raja Yoga. If you are taking yoga classes at a local yoga studio or health club, most likely you are practicing a form of Hatha Yoga.

Hatha Yoga has further branched off  into many specific systems or disciplines, including Iynengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and one of the many other types of yoga . While each of these systems may have slightly different focuses or approaches, they are still all forms of Hatha Yoga. So whether your are studying Anusara Yoga or Sivananda Yoga you are still practicing Hatha Yoga.

A well balanced Hatha Yoga class should include both physical yoga postures and mindful yogic breathing. In addition to asanas and pranayama, many Hatha Yoga practitioners like to incorporate meditation into their routine.

Hatha Yoga is not a religion. It is not just exercises or physical movement with no attention to breath or awareness. It is not competitive. Hatha Yoga is a system of yoga that utilizes movement and breathing to increase both physical and emotional or spiritual well being.

Free Yoga Stuff

We had to scrap our last hathayoga.net project and are starting from scratch.

In the meantime visit www.freeyogabooks.com and www.yogapostures.com.

Come back soon!

- Monique Danielle
www.moniquedanielle.com