Styles of Hatha Yoga
All content on this page comes from my personal experience and research.
There are many more styles of Yoga not mentioned here.
All Yoga terms originate in Sanskrit, the base of all eastern languages.
Most teachers use the English interpretations in their classes.
Hatha (ha = sun, tha = moon) can be interpreted as "forceful" yoga or
physical yoga. Many teachers use this term to describe their style. Sometimes
it's used in lieu of eclectic or multi-style Yoga.
Ashtanga -- Heat generating style founded by Pattabhi Jois; Though
it is sometimes referred to as "power" yoga, this style is a sequence of poses linked
together done in sequence with breath. The first series of Ashtanga yoga is
the most popular. Power yoga gets many postures and vinyasa from this style.
Vinyasa A generic style of yoga where poses are linked together
and done in sequence with the breath.
Power Consists of various yoga poses from Ashtanga and Vinyasa
styles. It's basically a term to market yoga to people that want a yoga class
to improve endurance and strength.
Iyengar -- Yoga style founded by B.K.S. Iyengar that emphasizes
alignment and holding the poses. Props are frequently used, such as straps,
blocks and blankets to ease the body into poses.
Viniyoga -- Founded by TKV Desikachar; Traditional Yoga postures
are modified for each person's body emphasizing safety of the physical body
Bikram™* -- Trademarked style founded by Bikram Choudhury of Los
Angeles, CA. This set of 26 postures, each done twice, is set in a room over
100° Fahrenheit.
Hot Yoga Any form of Hatha yoga in a hot room, usually over 100°
Fahrenheit
Anusara -- This yoga style founded by John Friend is more of a
method of teaching or practicing yoga than a particular style of yoga. Anusara --
"flowing with grace" or "flowing from the heart" -- focuses on the alignment and
symbolic interpretation of each pose. The opposing energies of the body in
each pose or asana are emphasized.
Ananda Style of Yoga founded by Swami Kriyananda (studied with
Paramahansa Yogananda) where poses are done for enlightenment and mental energy
is directed to the body.
Kundalini -- focuses on movement, done to awaken the Kundalini
(Kundalini translates to serpent). Figurative meaning is inner root energy
or primal energy or instinct resting at the base of our spine. Kundalini
yoga strives to awaken this energy so that it rises up your spine, causing enlightenment
in the crown of the head.
Other Yoga Terms
Chahkras -- 7 energy spirals along the spine. Energy from
these areas has been scientifically proven. Chahkras can be discussed in any
style of Yoga, though more popular in Kundalini and Ananda.
Bhandas -- Energy locks or restraints you voluntarily hold in
your body. There are 3. They are emphasized in Ashtanga style and Power styles
of Yoga.