YOGA AND PRANAYAM

Yoga is an ancient Indian philosophy and way of life, where complete harmony between our body and mind is achieved by special exercise (Asanas), breathing (Pranayama)  and meditation.Yoga is the product of thousand years of research done by rishis in ancient India. The aim of Yoga is to live a healthy living and attain self-enlightenment. Yoga means to yoke (to unite) with the source of our Being.  

In Yoga, through practices of holding a variety of body positions or asanas, and the centering of the mind and breath in a meditative way, the practitioner increases body awareness, posture, flexibility of body and mind and calmness of spirit.

Best of all, Yoga is apt for all, regardless of age, color, caste, creed or religion; from the healthiest to the sickest, from the richest to the poorest, from the whitest to the blackest. Yog is certainly not just a compilation of difficult, esoteric, complex physical postures and excercises. It is a name for that simple life condition that should natu6rally be the state of each and every human being.

Classification of Yoga

• Asanas by Name: A list of popular Asanas and wit overview.
• Asanas by Diseases: Grouping of Asanas on the basis of their benefits towards curing diseases
• Asanas by Body Parts: Grouping of Asanas on the basis of their benefits towards strengthening body parts - chest, shoulder, legs, backbone etc.
• Asanas by Positions: Grouping of Asanas on the basis of performing postion - abdominal, supine, standing asanas etc.
• Asanas by difficulty: Grouping of Asanas on the basis of theirdifficulty level - easy, intermediate and difficult asanas.
• Asanas by Situations: Grouping of Asanas on the basis various situational level - childhood, adolscence, oldage, pregnacy, illness etc.

Types of Yoga

There are a lot of yoga types recognized. Most popular types of yoga are listed below. Each has characteristics and style.

1. Anusara Yoga

You are taught to be aware with your alignment and the inner energy as the gift from the nature. Every practice is usually begins with an invocation. The class can be gentle or vigorous depends on the instructor but both have a friendly atmosphere.

2. Ashtanga Yoga

All the poses are done quite fast in a sequence combined with the breathing techniques. You indeed need a lot of stamina since the class is very challenging but the good news is you can practice to build up your strength.

3. Bikram / Hot Yoga

From the name, it is clear that you will do yoga exercise in a hot room with temperature around 106 degrees and 40 % humidity. Usually you will do sequences of 26 yoga poses. The hot temperature will help you to stretch your muscle easily and cleanse toxic from your body by sweating a lot which is believed as the output of the toxic.

4. Hatha Yoga

It is one of the well-known yoga types that can easily found in many yoga centers. This is the most recommended yoga type for beginners since all the yoga poses are done gently. It is also believed as the center of all derivation of yoga styles.

5. Integral Yoga

If you have physical abilities, this class is suitable with you as you will do the gentle movements. Besides, the class has a combination of chanting, mantra, pranayama, meditation, and relaxation which is good for those who are looking for spiritual practice.

6. Iyengar Yoga

This class focuses on by concerning the alignment of your body when doing yoga poses since it is believed can heal the physical ailments. Therefore, you will get a detailed instruction in each pose. Moreover, you have to hold your poses for a bit longer time but don’t worry since you may use some of yoga props such as blocks, belts, or straps which is the typical of this yoga type.

7. Jivamukti Yoga

This style of yoga combines asanas with spiritual practice such as mantras, chanting, and also meditation. Moreover, the yogis are expected to apply the spiritual comprehension in their daily life for example being vegetarians.

8. Kripalu Yoga

Basically, kripalu yoga class has the same character with integral yoga’s. It is intended for people with physical limitation or those who are looking for deep serenity since the concept is all about meditation even in motion.

9. Kundalini Yoga

You will do kriyas or sequences in a repetition even for a simple movement such as waving the arms. Moreover, the class is also consisting of chanting or mantras. The class can be vigorous to push your comfort limits.

10. Power Yoga

If you have advanced your yoga level, so why don’t you try this style of yoga which is a derivation of ashtanga yoga. The class is very intense by doing some advanced poses and you should hold it for long duration.

11. Sivananda Yoga

The class focuses more on sun salutation sequence as it has 12 basic yoga poses and also the intense pranayama. Besides, the class usually has a bit longer time for 2 hours and is ended by doing mantra meditation. You will hear the use of Sanskrit name all the way through in the class.

12. Vini Yoga

If you are looking for private practice to solve your health problem, find the vini yoga class or instructor. The practice is usually done in gentle. You will also be taught to focus on the process of your self-discovery or transformation.

13. Vinyasa Yoga

I suggest you to try this yoga type if you have practiced yoga for 2-3 month regularly since the class has a fast paced movements controlled with the breath.

So, which yoga types you think you are fit in? You may try all of the yoga types and decide which one you would like to concentrate on. If you want to combine two yoga styles or more in your daily yoga practice, it is also good.

Benefits of Yoga

• Brings down stress and enhances powers of relaxation
• Boosts physical strength, stamina and flexibility
• Bestows greater powers of concentration and self
• All-round fitness.