Types of yoga

If you have been put off yoga by intimidating pictures of Madonna upside down with her legs in knots, fear not. There are many different types, with varying levels of physical demands. Gentle Hatha yoga is perfect for beginners. It is a form of hatha yoga adapted for beginners and those with limitations, or else used as a warm-up for more rigorous exercises.

Hatha yoga is one limb out of the eight limbs of Raja. It includes postures, breathing and meditation techniques. Classes usually begin with gentle yoga as a warm-up, and may include restorative postures. Examples of Hatha, or classical yoga, are Kriya yoga, Himalayan yoga, Sivananda yoga and Integral yoga.

A form that has been growing in popularity in the US recently is Ashtanga, or power yoga. This style places an emphasis on strength and agility. It often appeals to those who are fit, and is a challenging physical routine. The cornerstone of this style is the sun salutation, a twelve-pose flowing series that focuses on linking the breath and the movements.

Another influential form is Kundalini yoga, popularized in the West by Yogi Bhajan, and is said to cause the dormant or "Kundalini" energy at the base of the spine to move into the rest of the body to energize and restore health. Kundalini yoga can include chanting, hand positions, breathing techniques, and sometimes a vigorous aerobic type workout with repetitive motions and little emphasis on form or holding positions.

There are also several traditions of yoga which focus more on the meditative aspects rather than the postures. This type of yoga emphasizes a gentle approach in which the practitioner focuses on going within and focusing. Kripalu Yoga, Sivananda, Kundalini, and Himalayan styles are examples of this.