Yoga Enjoy – Page 4 – All About Yoga: Poses, Types, Benefits, and More

What is the Difference Between Hatha + Vinyasa Yoga?

June 15, 2023

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There’s a bunch of different styles of yoga, and some are more similar than others. When discussing the topic of Hatha vs Vinyasa yoga, it’s important to look at the evolution of the terms. Historically, Hatha has functioned as the umbrella term whereas Vinyasa is technically a form of Hatha. Within the yoga world, there’s been a distinction as to what a Vinyasa class specifically is.

When you see something labeled as a Vinyasa class you’ll notice transition, flow, and an overall cohesion of the practice through movement. Hatha simply means putting movement to breath. There are some similarities between Hatha and Vinyasa, such as: they use the same postures and they both require you to spend a significant time in standing poses compared to other styles. Their basic structure is also similar, linking movement with the breath.

Over time, the term Hatha has become more synonymous with a strong physical practice that energetically encapsulates more stillness, precision and alignment while Vinyasa has been used to encapsulate a more physical practice that incorporates flow, rhythm, and breath.

Let’s take a look at some of the traits that differentiate Vinyasa from Hatha.

What is Hatha yoga?

As mentioned in Light on Yoga, the name Hatha can be translated from Sanskrit to mean “Sun & Moon,” taken from Ha (sun) and Tha (moon). The classical understanding of Hatha is a little different from today’s interpretation. In modern understanding, Hatha yoga has been more defined as a spe[……]

Viniyoga

Viniyoga: Yoga Designed for Everyone’s Unique Body and Mind

May 21, 2023

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In An Introduction to Viniyoga, Kim and Gary Kraftsow, Founder and Director of the American Viniyoga Institute, discussed the origins and modern-day story of Viniyoga, Kraftsow’s path to teaching, which started in India when he was 19, and what a Viniyoga class looks like (spoiler alert: Their mantra is “It depends on the student!”). Viniyoga, like Iyengar Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga, traces its roots to Krishnamacharya, a scholar who had immense knowledge of yoga and the Ayurvedic tradition.

Gary Kraftsow’s own yoga journey began in 1974 when he was a religious studies student in Madras, India. He took courses with T.K.V. Desikachar, the son of Krishnamacharya. Kraftsow absorbed Krishnamacharya’s teachings through Desikachar and brought them to the west.

Gary Kraftsow mostly taught asana classes to start, but he later went back to Madras to study physiology for yoga therapy. Several years later, he returned to Madras again to study more about meditation. This continued study allowed him to begin to work on progressively deeper levels with his students. We found it so interesting that Kraftsow’s approach has so clearly gone from the gross/physical to the subtle.

Viniyoga (prefixes ‘vi’ and ‘ni’ plus yoga) is an ancient Sanskrit term that implies differentiation, adaptation, and appropriate application. The practice of Viniyoga stems from the Vedic teachings, which center on dharma. Kraftsow defined dharma as how each of us fulfills our responsibilities to ourselves, to each other[……]

Tantra Yoga

What is Tantra Yoga?

April 19, 2023

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A lot of associations may come to mind when you hear the words, “Tantra Yoga.” Some words that you make think of are sexual, intimate, weird, hippie, etc. The best way to overcome these negative perceptions are to become educated on the subject itself. Tantra is the ancient practice of a powerful combination of asana, mantra, mudra, and bandha (energy lock) and chakra (energy center) work that can be used to build strength, clarity, and siddhi (bliss) in everyday life.

Some believe that Tantra Yoga is more intricate and beneficial than other forms of yoga. Tantra Yoga requires harnessing and embodying the five forces of Shakti, the female deity that represents creativity and change. Tantric Yoga suggests that by harnessing the balance between yin and yang, we can move through the world with more confidence and contentment.

Lela Becker and Nicholas Goodman host a podcast and share their knowledge, perspective and experience of what Tantra Yoga is. Listen to their podcast below and then read on to better understand how Tantra is in everything we practice.

Tantra is the Study of Everything.

The yoga sutras are the threads of knowledge that suture together the written teachings of the philosophy of yoga. Tantra embodies those philosophies, a living expression of how we can incorporate those teachings into our everyday life.

“Tantra itself means “to weave, to expand, and to spread”, and according to tantric masters, the fabric of life can provide true and ever-lasting fulfillment[……]

Sivananda Yoga

The 5 Points of Sivananda Yoga

March 9, 2023

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Proper Exercise (Asanas), Proper Breathing (Pranayama), Proper Relaxation (Savasana), Proper Diet, Positive Thinking (Vedanta) and Meditation (Dhyana).

1 Proper Exercise – Asana (yoga pose)

Proper exercise act as a lubricating mechanism for the joints, muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other parts of the body, by increasing circulation and flexibility. The fundamental difference between Yogic exercises and ordinary physical exercises is that physical exercise emphasizes violent movements of the muscles, while Yogic exercises promote slow and conscious movements of the body, thus avoiding the build-up of lactic acid in the muscle fibers, avoiding fatigue.

Asanas

The main purpose of exercise is to increase circulation and the intake of oxygen. This can be achieved by simple movements of the spine and various joints of the body, with deep breathing, and without violent movement of the muscles. Yogic exercises are in fact called Asanas (yoga poses), an asana being a steady pose.

Yogic exercises, when done correctly, influence and positively energize all the systems of the body: the circulatory system, the muscular and skeletal systems, the endocrine system, the respiratory system, the digestive system, and most importantly, the nervous system.yoga helps us develop humility, compassion, and unconditional love. Through faith, prayer, and worship, we surrender ourselves to a higher power and transform our emotions into unyielding devotion. This sublime love eliminates restlessness a[……]

Restorative Yoga

RESTORATIVE YOGA POSES: A GUIDE TO DEEP RELAXATION AND PARASYMPATHETIC NERVOUS SYSTEM ACTIVATION

February 17, 2023

Restorative yoga is a great way to reduce stress, anxiety, and pain. It can also improve sleep quality, boost mood, and increase energy levels.

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When you think of yoga you probably think about a practice which aims to stretch and strengthen the body, usually through some active movement and stretching. You may be familiar with Hatha or Vinyasa styles of yoga which have certainly gained a lot of popularity. These are probably the most common types of yoga you’ll find in your local studio and also see depicted on TV and in the media. However, since you’ve found this blog post you might actually be aware that there are other types of yoga which take a different approach. Restorative Yoga is one such type of yoga that uses props to support the body in passive poses. This allows the body to fully relax and release tension. This is because Restorative Yoga Poses actually interact with the parasympathetic nervous symptom in a number of interesting and beneficial ways.

First, the slow, deep breathing that is practiced while in Restorative Yoga poses helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system. The parasympathetic nervous system is responsible for the “rest and digest” response, which helps to slow the heart rate, lower blood pressure, and relax the muscles and slow, and the good news is deep breathing can help support all of these functions! Second, the supported poses in Restorative Yoga help to release tension from the body, and this is often a pretty common reason why peo[……]

Prenatal Yoga

6 Incredible Ways Prenatal Yoga Boosts Mum and Baby’s Health

January 1, 2023

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Pregnancy can be a wild ride for mothers-to-be. It is exciting, yet sometimes challenging. All the physical alterations and emotional ups and downs can be a lot to handle. Fortunately, there is a way to make pregnancy smoother with postnatal yoga in Singapore. This gentle form of exercise does wonders for both mums and their little ones, so keep reading if you’d like to find out why many mums-to-be are trying it out!

1. Reduces stress and anxiety

Motherhood is often a stressful time, but practising prenatal yoga can help expecting mums feel calmer and more relaxed. By concentrating on their body and breathing, pregnant women can reduce their tension levels and achieve a better sense of overall well-being. Moreover, prenatal yoga has been proven to lower cortisol levels (associated with stress) and enhance serotonin levels (allowing contentment). Thus, if you’re expecting right now and experiencing anxiety, we recommend giving prenatal yoga a shot!

2. Improves sleep quality

Sleep deprivation is quite common during pregnancy, but it doesn’t have to be this way! By using relaxation techniques and reducing stress with prenatal yoga, expectant mothers can get more restful nights of sleep. Additionally, certain poses may aid in relieving discomforts linked to pregnancy, like backache or restless leg syndrome, which are factors in preventing a good night’s sleep.

3. Increases flexibility and strength

One of the great things about prenatal yoga is that it strengthens muscles while i[……]

Pranayama Yoga

Types of Pranayama: How To Master The Art of Yoga Breathing

December 26, 2022

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Do you struggle to stay focused and present? Do you find yourself getting tired quickly? Or do you simply seek learning about a more meditative practices? If so, it’s time to learn about the types of pranayama and meet the fourth limb of yoga.

Pranayama is a vital tool for controlling the fluctuations of the mind, finding presence on the mat, and inner peace in the soul and there is more than one type of pranayama. In fact, there are many.

Pranayama connects us to the most vital energy within us, our breath. Practicing pranayama also teaches us how controlling this life force can regulate our energy, improve our mental well-being and deepen our spiritual connection.

But what exactly is pranayama, and why should you practice breathing techniques? Read on to discover everything you need to know about the different types of pranayama you can try today!

The origin and meaning of pranayama

The Sanskrit term pranayama is a combination of two words; ‘Prana’ and ‘Ayama.’ ‘Prana’ means life force, as our breath keeps us alive. ‘Ayama’ translates to extending or stretching but can also mean controlling. Thus, “Pranayama” means lengthening or controlling the life force.

In simple terms, pranayama means actively breathing as you control or extend the inhale and exhale. However, how you do that depends on the specific technique, which we will explore in more detail below.

Pranayama does not necessarily mean slow, deep breathing that is a misconception. Sometimes, it can mean breathing fo[……]