Yoga Enjoy – Page 2 – All About Yoga: Poses, Types, Benefits, and More

The history of Hatha yoga

March 22, 2024

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Hatha yoga is an umbrella term that describes physical exercise and breathing techniques used to achieve mindfulness.

Originating in India, this concept traces back to the eleventh century A.D.; however, posture-based forms of yoga did not develop until the early 20th century. Hatha yoga today is based on the practices outlined in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika.

Hatha yoga began developing in India during the 1920s and 1930s, with the first official school opening in Mysore in 1924. During this time, the Indian traditions of Hatha yoga merged with the physical culture of western society.

Once physical culture grew in popularity in the 20th century, Hatha yoga teachings became popularized in the west.

Hatha yoga today

Today, Hatha is practiced regularly by people all around the world. However, it is not practiced in the same manner as classical Hatha yoga once was.

Modern Hatha yoga has shifted to focus on large class sizes that are often drop-in rather than routine sessions with the same group of students. This has made taking yoga classes easier to fit into your schedule at your convenience.

The Sanskrit word Hatha literally translates to force. Hatha classes will teach you how to apply prana, or vital energy, to different yoga postures. Hindu texts describe prana as the physical, mental and spiritual energy in Hinduism. Classes typically last anywhere from 45 to 90 minutes, and you can expect that it will finish with some pranayama yoga or meditation.

Today’s Hatha yoga classes[……]

Bikram Yoga

What’s the Difference Between Bikram and Hot Yoga

February 2, 2024

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So you’ve seen the signs around town or read articles on the internet about the benefits of hot yoga. Stretching in a heated room enhances flexibility and aids detoxification, studios promise. Then you see some funny yoga called Bikram while others just call themselves hot. What’s the difference between Bikram and hoy yoga?

The short answer: Bikram yoga refers to a specific set of 26 postures while hot yoga is normal yoga, just in a heated room.

Are you ready to sweat? Studio temperatures for Bikram and hot yoga range from 90 to 105 degrees.

While yoga is an ancient practice rooted in India, Bikram yoga has more modern roots. Indian born and trained yogi Bikram Choudhury opened the first Bikram yoga school in California in 1974. The practice involves completing the set of postures and two breathing exercises in a specific order at a specific temperature–105 degrees with 40% humidity. Only licensed Bikram yoga schools may offer classes under the trademarked name. These schools frequently offer only Bikram yoga without supplementing their schedules with additional types. Other rules apply to Bikram too. There’s no music and the instructor’s dialogue follows a prescribed speech.

Hot yoga, on the other hand, involves a regular vinyasa or hatha yoga class that takes place in a heated room. Some studios merely bump the temperature to create balmy exercise conditions while others might crank the heater so practitioners really work up a sweat. Temperatures usually range between 80 a[……]

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: The way of devotional love

January 5, 2024

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This article attempts to focus on Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita, but for those that don’t know here is a brief summary of The Bhagavad Gita. The Bhagavad Gita is often referred to as the Gita, is one of the world’s most revered spiritual texts. A small section of the Indian epic Mahabharata, the Gita takes the form of a dialogue between Prince Arjuna and his charioteer, the deity Krishna. Within its verses, it explores various paths of yoga, including Jnana (knowledge), Karma (action), and notably, Bhakti (devotion). Bhakti Yoga, the path of devotional love, is especially poignant for those seeking a personal, emotional connection to the divine.

What is Bhakti Yoga?

Bhakti Yoga is often described as the yoga of love and devotion towards the divine. It focuses on fostering a personal relationship with a higher power, through affection, trust, and dedication. Bhakti practitioners believe that through pure love and surrender, one can merge with the divine, bypassing the trappings of the ego and the material world.

Bhakti Yoga in the Bhagavad Gita: A breakdown

In the Gita, Lord Krishna elucidates the profound principles and practices of Bhakti Yoga. Here are some central teachings:

Unwavering Devotion: One of the hallmarks of Bhakti Yoga is unwavering devotion. Krishna says to Arjuna: “Fix your mind on Me, be devoted to Me, worship Me and bow to Me. Doing so, you will come to Me alone, I truly promise you, for you are exceptionally dear to Me.” (Gita 18.65).

Surrender: In the[……]

Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

All about Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga

December 9, 2023

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Ashtanga Vinyasa is a dynamic style of yoga, where a progressive series of asanas and bandhas are practiced while synchronizing with breath and point of focus, which results in complete detoxification of the body.

Sri Pattabhi Jois is credited with the development of the Ashtanga Vinyasa structure and practice in its current form. It is believed that the method has been passed on from the ancient Saint Vamana in his text called ‘Yoga Korunta’. In the 1920s Sri T Krishnamacharya transcribed the Yoga Korunta and passed on his teachings to the late Pattabhi Jois. Sri Pattabhi Jois’ school in Mysore under the aegis of his grandson Sharat Jois continues to teach this method.

Ashtanga means ‘8 limbs’, which signifies the 8 limbs of yoga as per Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Vinyasa is understood in this context as linking breath and movement. Nyasa means ‘to place’ and vi denotes ‘in a special way’.

The eight limbs of yoga are Yama (moral code), Niyama (spiritual self purification), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (sensory transcendence), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation), Samadhi (union or state of ecstasy). The style of yoga advocates that the teacher and practitioner practice all these eight limbs of yoga on and off the mat.

The purpose of Vinyasa is internal cleansing. Vinyasa combines asana practice with breath and drishti (point of looking), in conjunction with each other to attain three levels of purification: body, nervous system and mind.

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Anusara Yoga

What is Anusara Yoga

November 26, 2023

If you are looking for a yoga practice that not only benefits your body but also nurtures your mind and spirit, then Anusara Yoga may be for you. This form of yoga was created in the late 1990s by American yogi John Friend and is based on the philosophy of intrinsic goodness.

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The practice of Anusara Yoga emphasizes the alignment of the entire body, as well as the heart and mind. By working on proper alignment, Anusara Yoga can help you build strength, increase flexibility, improve balance, and deepen your overall sense of well-being.

Anusara Yoga draws from a wide range of yoga traditions, including Hatha, Iyengar, and Vinyasa, to create a unique and uplifting practice. The practice involves a variety of poses, from basic to advanced, which can be modified to suit each individual’s needs and abilities.

Anusara Yoga also incorporates a heart-centered philosophy, which views all living beings as inherently good and divine. This approach encourages practitioners to see the goodness in themselves and others, and to approach their practice with a sense of joy and openness.

Key Takeaways

Anusara Yoga is a yoga practice that emphasizes alignment of the body, heart, and mind.

This form of yoga draws from multiple traditions to create a unique practice.

Anusara Yoga incorporates a heart-centered philosophy that sees all living beings as inherently good and divine.

Practicing Anusara Yoga can benefit the body by building strength, flexibility, and balance, while also nurturing the mi[……]

Aerial Yoga

Aerial Yoga vs Aerial Silks | Differences, Similarities & Choosing a Style

October 23, 2023

Curious about the difference between Aerial Yoga vs Aerial Silks? Learn about the differences, similarities and how to choose.

Aerial fitness has taken the world by storm, offering a unique and exhilarating way to stay fit and flexible. If you’re looking to take your workouts to new heights, you’ve likely encountered the captivating worlds of Aerial Yoga and Aerial Silks. These two aerial disciplines may seem similar at first glance, but they have distinct characteristics that cater to different preferences and fitness goals.

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore what Aerial Yoga and Aerial Silks are, highlight their similarities and differences, and provide expert advice on how to choose between the two. So, let’s unravel the ropes and soar through the fabric as we dive into the fascinating realm of Aerial Yoga vs. Aerial Silks.

What is Aerial Yoga?

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Aerial Yoga, also known as Fly Yoga, Air Yoga and AntiGravity Yoga, is a graceful fusion of traditional yoga poses and aerial arts. During classes, you’ll perform yoga postures while suspended from soft fabric hammocks.

The aerial yoga hammocks allow you to explore deeper stretches and develop core strength. The gentle sway of the fabric and the sensation of floating create a soothing and meditative experience, making Aerial Yoga a holistic practice for both body and mind (great for anxiety and depression).

Aerial Yoga provides numerous physical benefits, including improved flexibility, enhanced balance, and increased spina[……]

Acro Yoga

4 Things I Learned Doing Acro Yoga

September 25, 2023

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You guys, I had the best time learning this style of yoga called acro yoga! My gym held an intro workshop and I have to admit, I was intimidated. I am very reserved in trying new physical activities. I have a tendency of holding myself back. It’s from an irrational thought that I’ve had for so long; that my body can’t do what everyone else’s can. However, listening to my body in my regular yoga practice has given me the confidence and attunement to know when I’m approaching my limits. And now I am hooked on acro! I can’t get over just how much fun I had trying the different poses. In this post I’m going to share the main takeaways that resonated with me as I reflected on what I loved about this activity that went a lot deeper than I was expecting.

1. I give away my power when I don’t acknowledge it

I was flying with my partner, which means I was up in the air being supported by his feet (think playing airplane when you were a kid), and I wanted my partner’s feet moved in a place that felt more secure. I struggled to communicate exactly what I wanted, but I could articulate that what I had wasn’t right. With a little coaching, I was able to get there, but the coaching didn’t fix my problem. The coaching guided me to fix my own problem and gave me the permission to take control where it was my responsibility to do so. And that’s where it hit home. Waiting for permission. While a part of this experience was learning something new, what I discovered was my instinctual response.[……]