The guide on the basic directions of yoga

Do you think that yoga practice is not dynamic enough? Or maybe you have enough sport in your life, but lack the spiritual aspect? Or you just want to feel better without making too much efforts? Yoga offers many directions that can satisfy different people’s needs. GetEssayEditor.com created a guide that will help you to understand the basics of yoga practice and choose the most suitable option for you.

Hatha yoga

The most widespread branch if yoga is hatha. It is usually recommended for the beginners, as it involves diverse exercises on the body and the mind: different physical postures (asanas), breathing exercises (pranayama), relaxation and meditation. At the same time, there is no need to delve into the religious aspect of yoga. First of all, hatha yoga changes the inner world of a person: a deep sense of the body allows you control your thoughts better. Hatha yoga is the basic branch, and different variations make it available for people of all levels of training. The main focus lies in the spine, which serves as the center of the body that determines overall health.

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga

Ashtanga vinyasa yoga is more dynamic branch of yoga, which is suitable for more advanced students. All the asanas are performed in strict sequence. Move to the next asana is possible only through vinyasa - exercises aimed at warming up and preparing the body for the next step. This style is quite hard and still very popular, especially among those who are focused more on the physical aspect. Ashtanga is perfect for such purposes as strengthening the muscular corset, fat burning and cleansing organism from slags. The focus lies in concentration of attention on specific points of the body that helps to clear the mind, while the physical postures strengthen the body.

Iyengar Yoga

Static, but rather soft style of yoga. The main goal of Iyengar yoga lies in detailed and precise performance of postures along with breath control with the gradual complication. For this purpose, followers use a variety of additional tools such as bricks, belts, bolsters. Therapeutic effect, muscles, ligaments and joints are strengthened; the inward parts of the body are massaged thanks to the stability of the body. Attention to details and precise focus on body control while performing asanas can bring even greater peace of mind and harmony. The main focus lies in steady body stretching, whereby the overall symmetry is achieved, including the deep energy levels.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini is focused more on rejuvenation and recovery. This is a deep practice, which includes the religious aspect: mantra chanting, pranayama, asanas and meditation. The chakras are also a Kundalini: the awakening of energy starts from the base of the spine and moves up to the top of the seventh transcendental chakra that is responsible for the feeling of harmony and unity with the Divine. The focus is breathing techniques, which are intended to direct the flow of energy properly.

“Mantra”

A “Mantra” is focused on the spiritual aspect. There is no asana or pranayama, but there is mantra chanting. In fact, mantra chanting is similar to the reading of prayers. A “Mantra” yoga does not have a therapeutic purpose, but there is still a positive effect on the human body. It is reached from the mind to the body.

Focus: A special combination of the sounds of the “mantra” has an effect on energetic state of the body and is often aimed at a special purpose, such as concentration improvement or deep relaxation.

Other varieties of yoga

There are many branches of the basic styles of yoga, which differ by a sequence of exercises and by slightly different philosophy. Yoga practice also greatly depends on the beliefs of a particular teacher. At this level, yoga becomes not just a fitness, but a deep spiritual practice, which implies a certain lifestyle, regime, diet, and regular meditation. There are variations of yoga, which differ by the certain conditions. For example, Bikram yoga is practiced in a hot humid environment, which allows you to burn more fat. While akro yoga allows you to be engaged in practice with a partner.

Anyway, there are basic styles of yoga such as Hatha, Ashtanga Vinyasa, Iyengar yoga, Kundalini and Mantra. Thus, you can get acquainted with all aspects of yoga at a basic level. Perhaps, if you still do not like yoga, you just have not found your own style yet.