Different Schools of Hatha Yoga
Click on a link below to go directly
to that subject.
Ananda Astanga Bikram Integral Iyengar Kripalu Kundalini Sivananda Tri Viniyoga White Lotus White Tantric
Hatha Yoga, the physical practice of yoga, is by far the most popular form of yoga in the Western World. In the west, as in India, there are many different forms of Hatha yoga. Listed below are brief descriptions of some of the most popular schools of Hatha yoga in the United States. There are different styles of yoga for different people. If one style doesn't suit you try another.
Ananda Yoga
Ananda yoga uses unique, energizing exercises involving consciously directing the body's prana to different organs and limbs.
Astanga Yoga
Astanga yoga, also know as power yoga, is considered the most fiery and athletic routine aimed at purifying the body and mind. Astanga yoga is characterized by specialized breathing techniques and the use of bandhas (locks) and drishties (gazing points).
As the story goes, in the early 1930's Krishnamacharya (probably the greatest yogi of the century, known for his ability to make his heart stop) discovered an ancient Sanskrit manuscript that reportedly contained hundreds of sutras describing the linking together (vinyasas) of different yoga postures. Pattabhi Jois, his student and disciple, mastered this method and has spent his life teaching it. Astanga yoga involves six progressively difficult series. The first series is the yoga therapy series, designed to align the body, while the second series is said to work on purifying nerve channels. When all of the series are practiced as a whole, prana is drawn up to the crown chakra and samadhi occurs spontaneously.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury and practiced at a room temperature of 100 degrees (40C) or higher. There is a standard sequence of 26 asanas repeated in every class. It is a fairly vigorous form of yoga popular with many celebrities (see the Raquel Welch video and book).
Integral Yoga
Integral yoga is a meditative, devotional practice of asanas. It does not emphasize perfecting the form. Classes may include chanting, guided meditation, etc.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga, developed by B.K.S. Iyengar author of the classic book Light on Yoga, is known for its precise attention to alignment. Iyengar style yoga uses many props such as straps, blocks, blankets, sandbags etc. Usually, just a couple asanas per class are done repeatedly with precise attention to alignment. Postures may be held for prolonged periods. Like Pattabhi Jois and Desikachar, Iyengar was a student and brother-in-law of Krishnamacharya.
Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu yoga is devoted to love and self-acceptance. It is an introspective approach with prolonged holding of asanas and an emphasis on the internal posture. Kripalu yoga incorporates vipassana meditation i.e., mediation focused on the breath. Kripalu yoga was developed by Yogi Amrit Desai.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga's purpose is to awaken the "serpent power" (kundalini) by means of asanas, pranayama, chanting and meditation.
Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda is a very popular and gentle form of yoga. Sivananda yoga combines breathing, gentle postures, scriptural study, and mediations. Lilias, the popular TV yogin, is a Sivananda Yogin. This style includes a 12 asana series, a Sun Salutation sequence, breathing exercises, relaxation, and chanting.
Tri Yoga
Tri yoga was developed by Kali Pay from California. Tri yoga has a dance-like sequences of asanas coordinated with breath. It is similar to astanga vinyasa yoga, but with no prescribed series of asanas. Tri yoga often uses music.
Viniyoga is a form of yoga taught by Desikachar (student and son of Krishnamacharya, also the author of The Heart of Yoga). Apparently, he wasn't interested in yoga as a young man and didn't start studying yoga until his father was in his late seventies. His approach is much different from Jois and Iyengar (also students of his father.)
Viniyoga is a sequential process with a gentle approach. The focus is on synchronizing breath with movement and asanas according to one's needs and capacity. Poses are carefully adapted for individuals. Strong emphasis on yoga philosophy and the Yoga Sutras.
White Lotus Yoga
White lotus yoga was developed by Ganga White. The entertainer Sting, practices this form (as seen in some of his music videos). It is a modified form of Astanga vinyasa yoga. Ganga's belief was that Astanga yoga was sometimes too extreme.
White Tantric Yoga
White tantric yoga is a form of kundalini yoga practiced by couples. Its emphasis is on transforming sexual energy into spiritual consciousness.