Yoga is an amalgamation of physical, emotional, and psychological disciplines or philosophies that originated in ancient India. The word “yoga” actually means “union.” Yoga is actually one of the six traditional philosophical schools of Hinduism, which believe in the existence of a supreme spiritual force. There are various forms of Yoga, all of which aim at uniting the body, mind, and spirit, and all having the same ultimate goal:
When you take your yoga class, you will learn several different types of Yoga. Many people think that all Yoga is about performing a series of physical exercises, however, that is not the case at all. In actuality, the term Yoga means “union,” and it’s all about the union of mind, body, and spirit. One of the most common types of Yoga is Hatha Yoga, which consists of very slow and meditative breathing exercises. Another type is called Ashtanga Yoga, which is very intense, with a fast pace, and incorporates breathing techniques into the workout routine. You can also find Vinyasa Yoga, or flow yoga, and Kundalini Yoga, which are completely different types of Yoga, but are very similar, both in style, and in goal.
Yoga uses several different methods to achieve these goals and to promote overall health. When you take a class, you will be introduced to the different methods of Yoga, as well as the various styles of Yoga, and what each one is intended to do for the individual. There is a distinction between Vinyasa, Flow, Kundalini, Ashtanga, and Kundalini Yoga. Vinyasa is the type of Yoga that is meant to be done on the spot, or as close to the instructor as possible, while Flow Yoga consists of as much meditation as possible, usually while doing the actual Yoga movements. Kundalini Yoga was brought to America by the Maharishi Ayurveda, who studied Yoga under the great teacher Dr. K. G. Subbaram, with whom he perfected this extremely powerful Yoga.
Some of the poses used in gentle yoga help to build strength and flexibility. This is one reason for the popularity of this type of Yoga. These poses are also excellent for improving your circulation and lung capacity. Gentle yoga helps to stretch your muscles, and strengthen them at the same time. You will often find that the poses that are used in gentle yoga helps to reduce back pain, because it increases flexibility. It can also assist you in getting over cramps and other back problems.
The Ashtanga Yoga style is very vigorous and is intended to move you quickly through a series of poses. Ashtanga Yoga is good for people who have a lot of stamina, because the poses are designed to work your body from the inside out, while giving you plenty of breathing room. This type of Yoga also benefits your joints and ligaments, because it increases flexibility.
Kundalini Yoga is a type of Yoga that concentrates on Kundalini Energy. Kundalini Yoga is sometimes also called Hatha Yoga or Raja Yoga. This Yoga has helped to heal some of mankind’s greatest pain. Kundalini Yoga was originally created by a great Yoga teacher, Yogi Bhajan. It is gentle, relaxing, and beneficial for your mental and physical health. Because it increases your spiritual awareness, Kundalini Yoga can be an excellent solution for back pain, neck pain, and indigestion.
