Have you ever done yoga before? You have likely seen television shows or books on the topic. It is said to be a very beneficial form of exercise.
Those that have tried it often realize that it requires a great deal of stamina and flexibility. Yoga is not simply about sitting and meditating, although that can be part of what you do.
This ancient form of meditation and exercise has been practiced for thousands of years. There are many types of yoga that you may want to consider trying out if you have ever had an interest in this topic.
What Exactly Is Yoga?
This is a combination of spiritual, mental, and physical disciplines. It is said to have originated as part of philosophical Hindu traditions. It was once taught broadly, primarily in countries where Jainism, Buddhism, and also Hinduism were very popular.
In Western culture, this word typically creates mental images of people doing unique poses. In fact, hatha yoga is what most people practice in North America.
Dating back to 3000 BC, it was first mentioned in the ancient book the RigVeda and in subsequent Hindu manuscripts. The objective of practicing yoga is to bring balance to your body, mind, and help you develop your spiritual connection to the universe.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is representative of the most popular type of yoga in the world. It is a term that represents physical postures. Its primary focus is on the different physical positions that your body can be contorted in. Despite being one specific form of yoga, each one is often differentiated based upon the different physical postures that are practiced.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is very similar to Hatha yoga, yet it also incorporates a form of meditation. You are focused on your breath, allowing you to time the changes in your positions with the count of your breath as you go along.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is both a physical and spiritual form of yoga. The kundalini is a word that represents the primal force that we all have inside of us. It is often represented by a coiled snake and is thought to be located in the lower spine. This incorporates invigorating postures, synchronous breathing, and may also involve meditation, mantras, and chanting.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is sometimes referred to as hot yoga. This is because it is practiced inside of a sauna. The humidity will be very high, right around 40{c007929688ed510eb18105efac84383fff47b9d3ea0e006d3fd10e6c689bc68f}, and those that do it must tolerate temperatures of right around 105°F. It consists of 26 postures that must be performed at least twice each.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is another form of yoga that is extremely demanding on your physical body. There are multiple floor and standing postures. It is connected directly to your breath, with each movement, yet you are allowed to set your own pace especially when you are just beginning.
Now that you have a better idea of the different types of yoga available, you may want to consider trying out one of them. It is highly recommended that you start with the easiest one which is Hatha Yoga for most people.
You can then try out the others as you develop more stamina and flexibility. You may discover that one of them is more favorable to you. At the very least, you will have found a way to relax, exercise, and improve upon your ability to meditate through the ancient practice of yoga.