Introduction

Yoga is one of the oldest forms of healing

therapy. It was originated in India about
five thousand (5000) years ago. It is
believed that Y
oga helps to increase the body's energy
supply, while providing self-improvement to
attain a persons fullest potential of fitness.
This form of exercise has become popular in
the United States since the 1940s and is
seen more and more in health and wellness
centers. Although yoga is offered in public
facilities, it can also be done at home. All
that is needed is a mat or towel.


Benefits
Many physicians consider yoga to help
people who are battling an illness. Yoga is
known for improving flexibility and strength
and balance, but it also influences the body
and mind. The body and mind are
influenced because of the many postures
and breathing that is involved with yoga.
Anyone can take part in Yoga ranging from
the fit, to obese or to digestive
complications can benefit from yoga.

Physical improvements are not the only
benefits from yoga, but also mental &
emotional are included as well. It has many
relaxing and healing effects.
Styles
They have developed many different styles
of yoga over the years and new styles
seem to keep appearing. Typically, these
styles are variations of Hatha Yoga,
which is known for its series of poses,
stretches, and postures (aka asanas)
Some examples of popular types of yoga
are:


Bikram
Vinyasa
Ivengar
Hatha
Styles
1. Bikram/Hot a vigorous style of Hatha yoga created by
Yogiray Bikram Choudbury. This yoga is practiced indoors
in a room heated to 104 F and humidity at about 40% to
mimic the conditions of India. Classes follow a specific
sequence opening with breathing followed by a sequence of
24 poses and ending with breathing.
Toe Standing Pose
Styles
2. Vinyasa/Vinyasa Flow
Vinyasa is a term used to describe yoga which flows from one post
to another using controlled breath. There is usually only one
breath per movement making this style vigorous and challenging.

Vinyasa literally means "the intelligent putting together of things," or
"uninterrupted flow" - the coordination of breath and movement.
Styles
3. Iyengar Yoga
It is based on ancient Hatha yoga techniques. In practice
Iyengar yoga focuses particularly on three aspects. Correct
body alignment allows the body to develop harmoniously in
an anatomically correct way so that the student suffers no
injury or pain when practicing correctly. The use of props
help the body into the correct positions required.
An added benefit is the elimination of aches and pains,
improving posture etc. It can also be used to treat many
ailments. The concept of timings means postures are held for
considerable lengths of time to let the effects of the poses
penetrate deeper within the individual
.
Styles
4. Hatha
With ha meaning "sun" and tha meaning "moon,"
Hatha Yoga is commonly translated as the yoga that
brings union "of the pairs of opposites." Sometimes
Hatha Yoga is also translated as the "forceful yoga",
because it requires a lot of physical effort. Hatha
Yoga is certainly the yoga that is best known in the
West, which is part of the reason why so many
definitions of Hatha Yoga exist.
.
With ha meaning "sun" and tha meaning "
The 908 Master Yoga Chart created by Sri Yogi Dharma Mittra