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Although based on the same principles, yoga styles differ in the way postures are done and how breath is controlled. Choosing the best style for you is only a matter of personal preference.
If you are energetic and want intense workouts, the three styles that suit you best are Ashtanga, Power Yoga and Hot Yoga.
For gentle and systematic stretching, choose hatha, kripalu or integral.
If you seek solace though meditation or chanting, anusara and kundalini are for you.
Iyengar is for high stretching and lining up your body. If you have injuries needed to be healed, Iyengar can do it.
All the major styles are given below. Read about each of them and decide the right one for you.
Hatha
Hatha is the basic form of yoga from which all other styles are developed. Hatha style classes are slow and gentle, taking you through the basics of yoga poses.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa is a more vigorous style that needs you to synchronize your breath with a series of poses called Sun Salutations. Intense stretching exercises follow.
Hatha and vinyasa are used in a generic way and almost all other styles will incorporate them in their routines.
Ashtanga and Power Yoga
Ashtanga is an intense, flowing style of yoga. You are taken through a series of poses which are always in the same order. Ashtanga is a physically demanding style that builds strength and stamina apart from flexibility.
Power yoga is basically ashtanga but without the fixed order of poses.
Bikram Yoga (Hot Yoga)
This style developed by Bikram Choudhury is a set series of 26 poses to be done in a room heated to 90 - 100 degrees Fahrenheit. These exercises done in hot steamy conditions cleanse your body of toxins. This is a vigorous yoga style.
Iyengar Yoga
If you've heard of props being used in yoga, it is this one. B.K.S. Iyengar developed this style and is focused on bodily alignment. It makes most of each of the poses in yoga while avoiding injury. You need to hold poses for extended periods with the help of straps, blocks or blankets.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga tries to awaken the dormant kundalini energy stored at the base of the spine. Chanting and breathing practices coupled with physical exercises are emphasized on achieving this. You are taught to observe the effects of breath during each of the poses.
Kripalu Yoga
This style lays emphasis on a compassionate approach along with wisdom. Three stages make for this method; First: steady practice of poses. Second: holding them for longer duration with inner awareness. Third: surrendering the body's wisdom and allowing for unconscious motion.
Anusara
Anusara lays emphasis on principles of alignment coupled with a positive philosophy. Anusara literally means following your heart, and believes in the inborn goodness in all living beings. Every student is honored for his or her ability and the class is usually cheery.
Integral
Founded by Swami Satchidananda, integral yoga is gentle style which gives equal importance to meditation, chanting, breathing exercises and postures.
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