Contemporary Styles Of Yoga - Explained In Detail
Yoga styles that originated in India, have been in practice for some 5000 years and now recent techniques developed in the United States are commonly referred to as contemporary styles. Whether the modern yoga posture is based on some traditional yoga style basics such as ashtanga or kripalu yoga or is based on vinyasa/flow style stressing on the smooth flow between subsequent poses, primarily they all are supported by the ancient principles of yoga. Below are some of the famous contemporary yoga styles.
- Anusara Yoga
- Bikram/Hot Yoga
- Jivamukti Yoga
- Nude Yoga
- Power Yoga
Anusara literally means "flowing with grace"; this yoga style has been introduced by John Friend. The basic philosophy of Anusara yoga technique is that all human beings are essentially equal. It incorporates vinyasa style techniques for physical alignment. The techniques are being taught in a lighthearted and fun manner though the poses are not that easy to achieve as they follow vinyasa style.
One of the most famous contemporary styles of yoga, Hot yoga poses are performed in a heated room - temperature usually maintained around 40 degrees centigrade. This generates lot of sweating that helps the body get rid of toxins. Due to the high temperature of the body achieved through this style, the flexibility of the body increases significantly. Bikram yoga is not suitable for pregnant women.
This modern yoga style has been introduced by David Life and Sharon Gannon under the guidance of Shri K. Pattabhi Jois. This yoga style puts greater emphasis on how to apply yoga teachings in the daily life. Jivamukti yoga techniques include vinyasa style practices and thus can be quite intense. Each session includes a set of asana, pranayama, chants and meditation. It is ideal for people who are interested in an intense workout.
One of the more recent contemporary styles of yoga, nude yoga style is quickly becoming popular. The main philosophy of this style of yoga is developing to accept the body in its original or natural form. You can only perform these techniques if you find comfortable showing your skin. The exercises can not be performed feeling awkward or conscious. If you learn to accept your body's natural state, you would benefit the most from this yoga style.
Power yoga is the common term used to describe an intense yoga workout based on vinyasa style yoga. The base for the power yoga is usually Ashtanga yoga technique. The style has been introduced to the people of the US to make them follow the Ashtanga yoga practice and introduce them to yoga workout. However, in a power yoga session there are no set series of poses as in Ashtanga technique. The power yoga session helps greatly increasing the strength and flexibility of the body. This type of yoga technique is ideal for those people who love exercising, are fit to do intense yoga workout and do not want to carry out the spiritual side of yoga such as chanting and meditation.
By following contemporary styles of yoga you can be rest assured to get the same benefits that are associated with the ancient yoga practices as well as get some more help in resolving the pressing matters of the current century.
