The Main Schools of Yoga

Types of Yoga

Yoga is a vast ocean of beliefs and exercises; it is a whole lifestyle, rather than a set of exercises, meant for enhancing fitness and health. It is a vast system that encompasses many different interpretations. Yoga has also evolved over time and has diversified into various different schools defined by its practitioners and propagators. Traditional forms of yoga coexist with newer forms of yoga and at times fusion forms combine the best of yoga with other practices. We look at some of the most popular yoga schools; practices that have been most effective and popular:

Patanjali Yoga

This was the style of yoga developed by Patanjali, who compiled the Yoga Sutras in about 400 AD; a transcendental text revived in the 19th century by Swami Vivekananda. This form of yoga is set of meditative practices aimed at achieving the ultimate goal of Samadhi and asana or posture that should be held comfortable and motionless. Some well known positions of this school of yoga are Padmasana, Bhadrasana, Svastikasana, Sopasrayasana, Paryankasana Ushtranishadasana, Samasansthanasana and many others.

Iyengar Yoga

B K S Iyengar was perhaps one of the best known yoga gurus in the world; having popularized yoga in India and abroad as well. He was well known for being amazingly flexible and for being able to attain some truly extremely difficult postures. This is one type of Hatha Yoga and places great emphasis on the correct postures and positions with great attention to detail, alignment and precision. Iyengar identified some 200 yoga poses and 14 types of pranayam, some to be performed with props. He arranged them in a graded pattern so practitioners could progress to more difficult poses after having mastered the simpler ones.

Kundalini Yoga

Also known as laya yoga or the yoga of awareness, this yoga school draws on Tantric practices and Shaktism. The ultimate aim is to awaken the kundalini (primal) energy though yoga asanas, meditation and the chanting of mantras. This is a school of practices meant to awaken the practitioner’s spiritual potential and also to work towards inculcating qualities of compassion, truthfulness and healing.

Ashtanga Vinayasa Yoga

This style of yoga was formalised by K Pattabhi Jois in the 20th century and this is what is generally understood as the modern form of classical yoga. It is named for the 8 (ashta) ‘ang’ (parts or limbs) of yoga mentioned in the Patanjali texts. The asanas are fairly rigorous and there is great importance placed on the breathing techniques while performing them. In more recent times, this school of yoga has also evolved to include certain gymnastic exercises, stretches and breath work, to offer the body a great workout.

Yogalates

Among the many fusion styles that have evolved from yoga, Yogalates is one; a combination of Pilates and Yoga developed by Louise Solomon. The aim of Yogalates, which encompasses traditional and modern practices, is to enhance strength, stamina, core strength, flexibility and stability, and to bring about a holistic unity of mind boy and spirit. Blocks, resistance bands, weights, foam rollers and fit balls are used in this practice.

Walk in for a free trial session to experience the best that yoga has to offer. An amalgamation of the best practices from all schools will leave you rejuvenated and energized. Morning and Evening Yoga class batches available in Bandra and Khar, Mumbai. Call Sashi at 99675 31905.