Yoga is one of the most beneficial physical activities that you can include in your daily workout. It helps you welcome the energy of nature within your body and mind. There are different types of yoga poses and each of them affects us in different ways. If you are planning to take up Yoga for the improvement of your health and fitness, then you will have to find out which type of Yoga suits your body and personality.
What are the Different Types of Yoga?
There are many different categories of Yoga. Here are some of the important and prominent categories of Yoga are discussed.
- Hatha Yoga: Originating in the ancient India, the Hatha Yoga has become famous in the US and other western countries. This type of Yoga combines the basic Yoga Asana, meditation and pranayama and Laya Yoga. This type of Yoga revives your self-confidence and rejuvenates your senses.
- Ashtanga Yoga: this type of Yoga was introduced by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and it is quite tough. It involves complicated physical movements and breathing techniques. This type of Yoga helps in cleansing your organs and detoxifies your body. The impurities of your body are excreted. It also empowers your muscles by making them stronger. Flexibility and physical working capabilities are also enhanced.
- Kripalu: This is a rather tender form of Yoga which makes you more self-aware. It helps you achieve a better understanding of yourself through introspection. The slow yet powerful movements help you connect with your inner-self. This Yoga has three parts. The first part helps you understand the abilities of your body and explores your limits. The second part teaches the methods of holding each posture for a longer time and the third part helps your concentration levels and improves your movements.
- Power Yoga: Power Yoga is a variation of the Ashtanaga Yoga. It incorporates a lot of stretching and muscle strengthening movements with the traditional Asanas or Yoga poses. They are good for people who want to lose weight through Yoga as they help you sweat profusely. Unlike traditional Yoga training, power yoga does not have any pause between the movements.
- Ananda Yoga: This is a very gentle type of Yoga that helps in developing your spirituality through meditation and breathing techniques.
How to know which type of Yoga is suitable for you?
You can determine the best Yoga type for yourself by finding out your Ayurvedic body type. There are three basic Ayurvedic body types- Vata, Pitta and Kapha. If your body type is Vata, then you will need slow yet powerful Yoga movements for yourself. If your body type is Kapaha, then you can try the power Yoga or Ashtanaga Yoga to discipline yourself and reduce your weight. People who have a Pitta body type should do some calming Yoga and practice the pranayamas.
