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In
Part 1 of Yoga styles I
discussed three styles of yoga,
the yogi that introduced the
style and the clients they are
best suited to. In this article
I will explain three more styles
and give a quick run-down of
yoga class etiquette.
Bikram- Also known as hot yoga was introduced by Bikram Choudury. Bikram yoga is another branch of Hatha. It is characterized by a room heated to a temperature of 105F (40.5C) with a humidity of 40%. The classes are typically 90 minutes in length and suited for participants of all levels. The class always consists of 26 postures and 2 breathing exercises. If you are going to try hot yoga make sure you bring a change of clothes. The heat plus the exercises won't leave you with a dry spot on your shirt after class! Kundalini- A physical and meditative discipline, this style of yoga is more focused on the spiritual and breathing aspects of yoga teachings. The purpose is to use breath control in conjunction with asanas (postures) to free energy in the lower body and allow it to move upward. Kundalini uses rapid and repetitive movements rather than poses held for long periods of time and the teacher usually leads the class with chants. This style is great for anyone who wants a mind-body connection. Mysore- Named after a city in India where Sri K. Pattabhi Jois' Ashtanga school is located this isn't a "style" of yoga but is IS an interesting and unique style of class. A Mysore class looks chaotic at first! Everybody is doing something different and the class is notoriously silent, aside from the occasional whispers from the teacher! The purpose behind a mysore class is for every student to practice asanas given to them individually by the instructor. You practice your posture until the teacher comes around again to teach you a new posture or sequence of asanas. The great thing about this class is that it's for everyone, as the instructor gives out postures based on experience. That and you get to see what the experienced students can do for extra motivation! Yoga as an exercise has formed interesting modern styles such as naked yoga, chair yoga, laughter yoga and hip hop yoga. Instructors are very creative in inventing new fun styles. I'm positive there must be a yoga for everyone! No matter where you go, there are certain things you can do in general, to ensure a great yoga experience: 1. Some studios will have mats included or for additional costs. If you don't have your own mat it is best to call ahead and make sure they do provide them. 2. ALWAYS take off your shoes (and socks) off before entering the studio 3. Wear comfortable, clean clothing and make sure you are not smelly. Most studios are in small spaces. 4. Before the start of a class, participants take the time to warm up, think and get in their zone. It's bad etiquette to start chatting. Wait until after class 5. After the exercise portion of class, many practices include a meditative Savasana (corpse pose) where students lay on their back, reflect and relax. For some, this is what the asana portion is truly for and it's considered a complete faux pas to get up, make noise or leave during this time. If you have to go early, leave before this portion starts. I hope this small series of articles will give the readers a good idea of what to expect and what to look for when they are choosing the ideal yoga style for themselves. Yoga is a great way to unwind, tone up and feel unbelievably good. TRY IT! |
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