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6 YOGA STYLES: WHICH STYLE IS THE BEST FOR YOU?
December 26, 2012 Filed under Health Posted by The Idealist
by Courtney Chapman, Contributor
Yoga has been around for over 5,000 years and was used in ancient India as a practice to connect to divine energy or Krishna consciousness. The term
yoga means to to unify or to yoke. Practitioners, known as yogis, would devote their entire lives to learning the perfection of yoga. However, the
more popularized versions of yoga in the Western world dont exactly teach the perfection of yoga for the same purposes of the yogis, but they do serve a
great mental, spiritual, and physical benefit to those who practice them. The whole system of yoga focuses on three things: breathing exercises
(pranayama), postures (asanas), and meditation.
When I first started practicing yoga, I thought there was just one yoga practice and all I had to do was buy one of those DVDs and have at it. But, there
are many techniques that cater to different spiritual and physical needs. If youre looking for deep relaxation and meditation, restorative yoga might be a
good fit for you. If youre looking for something more intense, Bikramor Astanga will definitely get you sweating. When you first start with a yoga
technique, ask yourself what are the areas you want to work on. Also be sure that you start with a level of yoga you can keep pace with.
Dont overexert yourself.
Hatha
Hatha yoga is one of the most common forms of yoga. Other branches of yoga have their roots in Hatha yoga including Ashtanga yoga, Bikramyoga,
Kundalini yoga, etc.
Purpose- Hatha yoga is a good system for beginners who want to learn more about the different postures and movements. The style
is generally slow-paced with gentle movements that incoporate a lot of breath work (pranayama)
Benefits- Relieves stress, improves your breathing, and provides low-impact exercise
Good for- Beginners or individuals wanting to learn simple postures
Restorative
The name implies it all: yoga that restores your well-being. Restorative yoga is a good relaxation techniques that involves deep breathing exercises and
postures.
Purpose- Restorative yoga is used to help individuals connect with their minds and bodies in relaxing postures and deep breathing exercises.
Individuals can expect working with different props and also poses that open up the chest area for breath work
Benefits- Relieves stress, improves breathing, and provides low-impact exercise
Good For- Beginners or individuals who want to relax after a long day
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Vinyasa
Vinyasa yoga is a branch of Hatha yoga that involves similar beginner poses and breath work. However, Vinyasa focuses more on Sun Salutation, a series
of 12 poses that work to align the breath with each movement.
Purpose- To align the breath with each movement and to strengthen the muscles
Benefits- Strengthens and tones muscles, improves flexibility, and relieves stress, reduces risk for high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and heart
disease
Good for- Beginners and intermediates wanting to strengthen their bodies
Kundalini
Kundalini yoga incorporates breathing, meditation, chanting (mantras), mudras, postures, and the chakra system. The Sanskrit word Kundalini means
coiled or wrapped and this type of yoga is meant to tap into the coiled energy at the base of the spine. Through movements and breathing, the energy
is worked through each chakra until it reaches the 7th chakra or crown chakra at the top of the head.
Purpose- To tap into the coiled energy at the base of the spine through movements, breathing, and meditation. Used to unleash the amazing potential
in each one of us. Works a lot with the spine and core
Benefits- Kundalini is more of a spiritual practice that works with raising your vibrational state and consciousness. It also improves mental clarity,
reduces stress and anxiety, depression, and more. Since it works with your spine and core, it also strengthens your body, increases flexibility,
balance, and endurance.
Good for- beginners through advanced wanting to incorporate the more spiritual side of yoga and tapping into their energy centers
Bikram
Bikramyoga, also known as hot yoga, has become one of the more common yoga styles. Popularly known to be practiced in a 95-100 degree room, it
incorporates 26 poses and is usually good for beginners.
Purpose- To flush out toxins, improve stamina, proper alignment, and deeply stretch out the muscles
Benefits- Cleanses body, improves stamina and flexibility, and helps speed up recovery from injuries
Good for- beginners to advanced, individuals with physical injuries
Astanga
Astanga yoga is more intense and fast-paced and usually focuses on eight limbs. This is another style that incorporates the more spiritual side of yoga.
Purpose- To improve ones spiritual self and to build up stamina
Benefits- Relieves stress, aids in weight loss, and improves coordination
Good for- Intermediate to advanced; fit individuals who want to maintain strength and stamina and also work on spiritual growth

There are other styles of yoga that stem fromthe ones listed above like Power yoga, Iyengar yoga, and Anusura yoga. If youre a beginner, try to start off
with something simple like Hatha or Vinyasa and work your way up to other styles and techniques. Decide if you want to incorporate the more spiritual
side of yoga and try a style that incorporates it like Kundalini or Astanga. Yoga is such a great form of exercise and strength training so you should
definitely take advantage of its benefits! Remember to consult your physician before you begin any exercise or weight loss regimen to make sure its a
right fit for you. Namaste!
References:

http://www.dailycupofyoga.com/2012/06/09/5-different-types-of-yoga-which-one-suits-you-the-best/

http://www.mindbodygreen.com/0-68/Different-Types-of-Yoga.html

http://www.livestrong.com/article/155147-benefits-of-kundalini-yoga/

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Courtney Chapman is the founder and contributor of Holistic Ebony. Holistic Ebony is a website dedicated toward spreading awareness about holistic
health, meditation, cultural issues, and more.
www.holisticebony.com
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THIS ARTICLE IS OFFERED UNDER CREATIVE COMMONS LICENSE. ITS OKAY TO REPUBLISH IT ANYWHERE AS LONG AS
ATTRIBUTION BIO IS INCLUDED AND ALL LINKS REMAIN INTACT.
Source : truththeory
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One Response to 6 YOGA STYLES: WHICH STYLE IS THE BEST FOR YOU?
Don Palathara
December 26, 2012 - 4:25 am
Why isnt there any mention about the best of all yogas, Rajayoga?
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1.
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