Differing Yoga Styles: A Guide
Nearly all yoga styles are based off of the practices and beliefs found in hatha yoga.

Hatha is a physically based form that seeks to develop control of the body through asanas or poses. In Sanskrit, ha represents sun and tha represents moon. Hatha represents the duality in life — yin and yang, masculine and feminine, darkness and light.

While all yoga styles seek to balance the body, mind, and spirit, the other forms use differing ways

OTHER STYLES:

Anusara:
Anusara yoga seeks to incorporate the heart, differing universal allignment positions, and balanced energy.Founded by John Friend in 1997 means “following your heart.” In this school of yoga, each student’s abilities and limitations are deeply respected and honored.

Ananda: A meditatative Yoga style!
This form of yoga utilizes breath awareness, the chanting of mantras, posturing to attain the goal of inner awareness. The most influnece on this style comes from the usage of the mantras to attain a sense of inner peace . This yoga style was developed by a man known as Swami Kriyananda.


Ashtanga: A Yoga workout, for those seeking physical prowess.

This style yoga combines high energy poses and gentle yet quick changes of positioning. Each movement is contionous and is tied with differing breath techniques. It is quite physically challneging and students must work their way through advancement at a comfortable pace.

Integral: A more relaxed form.
This school of yoga was first popularized by a very prominent figure in the sixties subculture. Developer Swami Satchidananda is credited with teaching the hippie population at woodstock. His usage of the word "Om" is still a common mantra and symbol of peace. There is a strong emphasis on both pranayama (control of breath), meditation, and the differing postures and asanas utilized.

Kundalini: Energy awakening and deep meditation.
This style was orginally a closely kept secret in India. kundalini yoga made it's appearence in the West in 1969 by a man known as Sikh Yogi Bhajan. It was his belief that it could be taught for the benefit of all under close supervision. This practice is designed to awaken kundalini energy, which is stored at the base of the spine and often depicted as a coiled spring or snake. Kundalini strongly uses chanting, breathing practices, and some slight asana posturing. Kundalini is conseidered to be very powerful and life changing, always to be taught under supervised conditions.

COMMON YOGA DEFINITIONS:
Yoga - Union

Hatha - SunMoon

Asana - Posture

Pranayama - Breathing

Raja - Royal

Jnana - Wisdom

Bhakti - Spiritual

Karma - Life path

Yama - Observance

Ahimsa - Non-violence

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"City At Night"