Hatha yoga, one of the four main traditions of tantra yoga, was invited by yogi Swatmarama in 15th-century India as a method of preparing the body for long periods of meditation. The result is a number of yoga styles designed to both tone and strengthen muscles and strengthen inner focus. While some styles are more physically rigorous, others focus on body alignment, relaxation, breathing, release of toxins from the body and awakening of inner power.
Ashtanga
Astanga yoga, one of the physically rigorous styles, involves six fast-paced series of postures, or “asanas,” that are done in the same order every time. The asanas increase in difficulty, with room for students to work at their own pace. This practice was created by yoga master K. Pattabhi Jois, from Mysore, India.
Iyengar
Founded by B.K.S. Iyengar, from Pune, India, this yoga is one of the most influential, according to “Yoga Journal” magazine. The trademark of Iyengar is an intense focus on the subtleties of each posture. Each pose is typically held longer than in other types of yoga, to encourage muscular and skeletal alignment. Iyengar also uses props, including belts, chairs, blocks and blankets, to support the body’s joints and accommodate special needs such as injuries.
Bikram
Bikram, otherwise known as “hot” yoga, involves doing a series of 26 traditional Hatha postures in a room heated to a temperature of 100 degrees Fahrenheit. The sauna-like effect causes excessive sweating, which is supposed to help rid the body of toxins. This practice was designed by the yogi Bikram Choudhury.
Kundalini
Kundalini yoga is designed to help awaken the body’s spiritual energy to create inner peace, order and harmony. Some of the exercises include visualization, chanting of mantras and several guided breathing techniques such as alternate nostril breathing, slow diaphragmatic breathing and “breath of fire.”
Kripalu
This practice is based at the Kripalu Center for Yoga and Health in the Berkshire region of Western Massachusetts. The yogi Amrit Desai and the Kripalu staff developed their own system of yoga over a 20-year period. It puts emphasis on proper breath, alignment, coordination of breath and movement, and “honoring the wisdom of the body.”
Anusara
Anusara is an integrated style of Hatha yoga that focuses on both spiritual inspiration and a deep knowledge of the body’s alignment. The series of poses, called “energization exercises,” involve tensing and relaxing different parts of the body, combined with guided breathing. Another characteristic of this technique is relaxing into poses.
About this Author
Radha McLean has worked in publishing for more than 15 years. She is the author of the book, “The Green Pregnancy Diet,” and her writing has been published in numerous magazines, including “Diabetes Health,” “Nurseweek” and “Pregnancy.” She has a Master of Arts in journalism from New York University.
