Yoga Styles
Ananda
Hatha postures combined with silent affirmations to align body and spirit. Developed by Swami Kriyananda in the 1960's.
Anusara
Founded in 1997 by John Friend, this continually evolving practice sees asanas as an expression of the heart, not just the body. Anusara puts a focus on recognizing good rather than correcting imperfections.
Ashtanga
The most athletic style of yoga, in which students are led through six series of asanas nonstop. Developed by Pattabhi Jois in the 1970's.
Bikram
Also known as 'hot yoga,' this method entails the practice of 26 traditional hatha poses completed in a sauna-like room for a cleansing effect. Developed by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970's.
Integral
Traditional hatha poses combined with guided relaxation, breating exercises, chanting and meditation. Developed by Sri Swami Satchindananda in the 1960's.
Iyengar
This practice involves standing poses which are held for long periods of time, and is unique in its use of props to assist participants. Developed by B.K.S. Iyengar in the 1960's.
Jivamukti
Jivamukti combines the physical challenge of Ashtanga yoga with chants and meditation. Developed in the 1980's by David Live and Sharon Gannon.
Kundalini
A combination of postures, breathing techniques, chanting and meditation designed to awaken the energy at the base of the spine and draw it upward through the chakras. Developed in the 1960's by Yogi Bhajan.
Kripalu
Kripalu is described as the yoga of consciousness and compassion, recognizing three stages of practice: 1) the willful, more physical-alignment-focused practice of postures; 2) the inward, more energetic (prana) focus that often results from holding postures; and 3) the flowing between spontaneous postures in a meditative state, often resulting from postures held for more than 5 or 10 minutes. Developed in the 1970's by Amrit Desai (and his disciples), and named for his teacher, Swami Kripaluvananda.
Power Yoga
A fitness-based practice similar to Ashtanga. Popularized in the mid-1990's by Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest.
Svaroopa
Familiar poses used in innovative ways to encourage the opening of the spine. Developed by Rama Berch in the 1970's.
Sivananda
A holistic system which involves exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet positive thinking and meditation. Developed by Swami Sivananda, whose disciples founded several types of yoga based on his teachings.
TriYoga
A deeply meditative series of dancelike movements organized in seven levels of difficulty. Developed in the 1980's by Kali Ray.
Viniyoga
A gentle series of poses with synchronized breathing and specific attention to the emotional and intellectual state of each participant. Developed by Sri T. Krishnamacharya and popularized by his son T.K.V. Desikachar.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa styles are a subset of hatha yoga which involve vigorous sessions of flowing postures synchronized with rhythmic breathing. Ashtanga and Power Yoga are examples of vinyasa-style yoga.
Vocabulary
Asana
A posture or position in yoga practice.
Chakra
Literally, wagon-wheel. A center of energy within the body. Buddhist yoga identifies five such energy centers, while Hindu yoga has seven or more.
Dharma
Righteousness.
Karma
The law of moral cause and effect.
Mantra
A sacred sound or phrase, often chanted during meditation.
Namaste
Literally "I bow to you," this is a word of greeting and which is often accompanied by the gesture of placing the hands palms together and bowing the head.
Ohm
Also spelled Om or Aum, this is the sacred sound of Hinduism, Buddhism and Jainism. Chanted alone or as part of a phrase during meditation.
Prana
Life force.
Tantra
Literally, loom. A doctrine of enlightenment which involve male-female cosmic symbolism.
Yoga
From the Sanskrit, to yoke or join. A spiritual and physical discipline designed to lead to union of the human spirit with ultimate reality and release from the limits of the individual ego.
Yogi
A male who practices yoga.
Yogini
A female who practices yoga.
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