Yoga has been around close to 5,000 years and has been an integral part of Indian history. It is often defined as a strict discipline aimed at uniting the body, mind, and soul to help the person find inner peace.
The concept has taken a slight twist in these modern times. Modern Yoga is focused on flexibility, strength, fitness & breathing with an aim to enhance mental and physical well-being. It is still linked with inner peace and mental stability, but now with a twist of vanity added to it.
Modern Yoga has made an identity of itself today. With multiple adaptations of this once ancient form. Here are the most popular types of ancient and modern yoga in today’s modern world:
- Hatha Yoga: This type is closer to the ancient form. It mainly deals with the idea of ethics, diet, cleansing, and meditation besides proper physical exercise. It demands complete awareness of each breath in order to connect the body, mind, and spirit. It is a body-mind exercise, helpful in reducing stress, increasing concentration, strength, and balance.
- Vinyasa Yoga: This modern yoga is about the techniques and poses. It requires a change in breathing patterns while flowing from one pose to the next. In practicing Vinyasa, muscles continually stretch and strengthen. It is bound to induce sweating during the practice but will impact overall flexibility and strength.
- Bikram Yoga: This is also a modern type derived from traditional hatha yoga techniques and is often also referred to as ‘hot yoga’ since it is practiced in an ambient temperature of 35-40 °C. It comprises of a standard 26 poses which are specifically designed to warm and stretch every muscle, ligament, and tendon in the body. The body is allowed to detoxify itself, to heal and to build greater endurance.
- Ashtanga Yoga: ‘Ashtanga’ means eight; this ancient yoga focuses on the eight limbs of yoga. The first four limbs concentrate on external cleansing and the other four concentrate on internal cleansing. This yoga leads to the development of spiritual and mental health. Practicing Ashtanga yoga helps the mind be in control through the combination of breathing exercises and poses. Resulting in the development of a fine balance between feelings and emotions, flexibility and strength as well as spiritual wellbeing and physical fitness.
- Anusara Yoga: This is a modern adaptation of Hatha Yoga. Anusara has a set pattern and flows to its sessions which are designed to help energize the mind and purifying the body. It is aimed and not just mental peace but is also improving the lung capacity. It stretches muscles increasing the flexibility and balance. Often a session of Anusara often leaves one relaxed and less fatigued.
- Kundalini Yoga: This style is a blend of meditation, breathing, mantra, postures, stretching and movement. It helps with spiritual healing. It is all about experiencing deeper transformations and awareness. It is a recommended practice for those suffering from stress in their work life since it results in a calmer mind and a boost in confidence.
- Iyengar Yoga: This is another modern adaptation of hatha yoga primarily concentrating on the ideas of balance and focus. By maintaining a perfect posture for a certain period of time it helps boost concentration and result in a state of balance between mind and body. It is a combination of breathing patterns, physical postures, and meditation. Often resulting in a boost in flexibility and inner core strength by aligning to a particular position.
- Sivananda Yoga: This focuses on breathing and meditation as a path to spirituality. The 12 basic poses of this type help fight respiratory problems and psychological disorders. The 5 principles of Sivananda Yoga extend beyond the exercise and mediation, it is all about improving the lifestyle and habits that have a negative impact on the body.
- Yin Yoga: This modern form of yoga aims at the connective tissue in the body, viz. tendons and ligaments, through a series of predefined postures. The form requires holding a pose for a certain period of time while concentrating on breathing. It often leads to an increase in concentration, mental stability, and patience.
This was a brief introduction to the types of yoga available in today’s world.
Try one which suits your needs. Or get a free trial from one InstaFitness Yoga experts right here.