Yoga has gone from being a simple fad to becoming one of the most practiced disciplines in the world due to its great benefits on an emotional, physical and spiritual level. It is an ancient practice in which the body and mind are aligned through different “asanas” or postures and breathing control. Whether you just want to relax or you prefer a more physically demanding yoga class, there are different types of yoga to suit a variety of needs.
How many types of yoga are there and what are they? In the following Psychology-Online article we will explain the types of yoga and their characteristics so that you can choose which type of yoga is best for you according to your requirements in order to have an optimal personal experience.
Benefits of practicing yoga
On average, there are about 100 types of yoga known in the Eastern and Western world. Whatever you choose, it is a discipline that will bring you enormous benefits and improvements in your physical and mental health.
Below we show you some of the main benefits of practicing yoga regularly:
- Your body will be more flexible and will improve your physical well-being.
- It will increase your muscle mass and your physical strength.
- You will feel less stress and you will sleep better.
- You will feel a higher level of energy.
- If you suffer from chronic pain, you will feel a lot of improvement.
- Chances of injury are reduced and you can increase performance in sports.
Now that you know some, below we explain how many types of yoga there are and what their characteristics are, as well as other factors such as what is the most difficult type of yoga or what is the most complete yoga.
Hatha Yoga
We start with a type of yoga that is perfect for those who are just starting out in this practice due to its low level of intensity and its countless benefits. Hatha Yoga focuses on working with the physical body through postures and techniques breathing to achieve a balance between body and mind.
Now, what characteristics does Hatha Yoga have? First, the postures or asanas are a fundamental part of the practice, and are performed in a slow and controlled manner, paying attention to the sensations of the body and breathing. Additionally, this type of yoga uses breathing techniques, known as “pranayama”, which help calm the mind and control the flow of energy in the body.
On the other hand, its main characteristics also include the practice of relaxation, which allows the body and mind to rest and recover after physical activity.
Ashtanga yoga
This type of yoga is more specific because it is based on structured movements that must be performed in a sequential order, which is why it resembles the choreography of a dance.
It is a style of yoga in which participants advance movements as the teacher or yogi considers they can advance. The movements go in time with breathing and each person moves at their own pace. Typically, each session lasts between 90 minutes and an hour and It is practiced in complete silence.
Yoga Nindra
Yoga Nidra is the perfect alternative for those people looking for a type of yoga that is perfect for relaxation. This practice seeks to relax the mind with 20-minute sessions dedicated to deep sleep, combined with light stretches. In Sanskrit, yoga Nidra can be translated as “mental dream yoga” or psychic dream yoga.
This style of yoga was developed by the teachers Swami Satyananda Saraswati and Swami Sivananda who set out to reach that area that is between the states of wakefulness and the states of sleep. Its main characteristic is that it is done lying horizontally in the savasana posture and you can even use a blanket to cover yourself.
kundalini yoga
This is one of the oldest types of yoga and combines asanas, breathing and meditation. It is based on the well-known “yoga sutras” and on different ones to achieve the leveling of the chakras.
Kundalini yoga focuses on breathing and chanting or mantras to reach a state of extreme relaxation, which releases the energy in the seven chakras of the body established by Eastern philosophy.
Bikram Yoga
The main characteristic of Bikran yoga is that it consists of 26 postures or pranayamas who practice hotspecifically in a room that should be about 40 ° C. It is a type of yoga with quite strict rules and each class lasts about 90 minutes.
The goal of this type of yoga is to improve flexibility and free the body of toxins through sweat, which is why it is also known as “hot yoga.”
Image: Yogateca
Jivamukti yoga
Jivamukti means “liberation in life.” The Jivamukti Yoga method is one of the traditional types of yoga that is based on ancient traditions and is based on five pillars or concepts that try to foster deep spirituality.
In addition, the Jivamukti sequences, its postures and its principles serve to work on compassion and the meaning of life.
prenatal yoga
If you are pregnant, practicing this type of yoga will give you many benefits because it helps you relieve the pain and discomfort of pregnancy, while reducing your stress and taking care of your body and peace of mind.
The poses in this type of yoga are controlled in order to prepare the body to go through pregnancy in a calm way and prepare it for the moment of childbirth. In this article you will find some.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga is a form of yoga that focuses on alignment and precision of postures, known as asanas. This type of yoga was developed by BKS Iyengar, who believed that the practice of yoga should be accessible to everyone, regardless of age, ability or physical condition.
In this modality, tools such as blocks, belts, and blankets are used to help students achieve postures safely and effectively, while maintaining constant attention to breathing and the connection between mind and body.
vinyasa yoga
Vinyasa is one of the most active types of yoga, since during its practice the body must adapt to demanding movements that go in time with breathing. The asanas can be standing, inverted, balanced, among other movements, which have dynamism as their main characteristic.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a relaxing and calm style of yoga that helps you connect with yourself and your body. It is derived from Hatha Yoga, in which postures are held in a relaxed manner for 2 to 5 minutes. The idea is to take advantage of one’s own weight and the force of gravity to loosen the muscles and allow vital energy to flow better through the body, for which the muscles must be very relaxed.
Therapeutic yoga
Currently, therapeutic yoga is widely used, which focuses on the use of postures (asanas), breathing (pranayama) and meditation to treat and prevent different physical and emotional health problems.
Unlike conventional yoga where sequences of postures are practiced in a general way, in therapeutic yoga A personalized practice is designed for each person according to their needs specific and according to what the therapist determines for each patient.
Power Yoga
You may be wondering what the most difficult type of yoga is. As its name already indicates, Power Yoga is one of the most demanding types of yoga because it requires excellent flexibility and being in very good physical shape. This type of yoga is perfect for toning the body and gaining greater flexibility, while helping with various cognitive functions such as attention, memory and concentration.
Below we leave you a video that can help you better understand how to do the different types of yoga:
This article is merely informative, at Psychology-Online we do not have the power to make a diagnosis or recommend a treatment. We invite you to go to a psychologist to treat your particular case.
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Bibliography
- Street, R. (2019). The great book of yoga. Mandala Editions.
- Turón, D. (2012). Yoga and meditation. Live and coexist in peace. Learning to live with oneself and the environment, 183-203.