A classic guide from our friends at Yoga Journal
All yoga is grounded in freedom from suffering, but the practice has taken many forms. Here’s a guide to finding a style that speaks to you…
Anusara
What it is: A Tantric-based system that combines attention to alignment with awareness of energy flow in the body in order for you to realize your divine nature.
What to expect: Classes vary according to the creative direction of the teacher. Each class begins with an invocation and has a heart-oriented theme. Expect a friendly (pun intended) atmosphere.
Founder/guru: John Friend. B. 1959. “Follow your heart. Be open to its deepest longings.”
Why you want to try it: You’re serious about proper alignment, yoga philosophy and having fun. You’re drawn to teachers who can captivate you with their story-telling and inspire you to Open to Grace.
FYI: In Sanskrit, anusara means “flowing with grace.”
——————————————–
Ashtanga
What it is: A method in which a set series of poses is linked by vinyasa (flowing movement) and synchronized with the breath to produce intense internal heat and purifying sweat.
What to expect: Students begin with the primary series and then move on once the poses have been mastered. There are six series in all. Classes are vigorous and challenging. Expect to perspire.
Founder/guru: Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. 1915-2009. “Yoga is 99 percent practice and 1 percent theory.”
Why you want to try it: You’re athletic and you’d love a workout on your way to enlightenment. You need little instruction (which can take you out of your internal experience). You’ll happily breathe through the same series of poses six days a week – it gives you the chance to notice what changes day to day.
FYI: Ashtanga means “eight-limbed yoga” and refers to the eight-fold path outlined by the sage Patanjali.
——————————————–
Bikram
What it is: A series of 26 poses and breathing exercises repeated twice in a room heated to 105 degrees. The purpose is to warm up the muscles quickly and promote detoxification via sweat.
What to expect: Instructors follow a script, so all classes are quite similar. You will sweat more than you ever thought possible, so bring a bottle of water and a towel with you. Wear clothes that will let you perspire freely.
Founder/guru: Bikram Choudhury. B. 1946. “Yoga is the perfect vehicle for change…first by creating a strong and powerful body and mind…you can then begin to realize your human spirit.”
Why you want to try it: You love sweaty workouts, especially if they can help you to detox or lose weight. Heat makes you happy. You’re not intimidated by mirrors or teachers who believe in tough love, and you don’t need to chant Om to feel that your practice is complete.
——————————————–
Integral
What it is: A gentle practice that integrates hatha yoga with other yoga branches, such as karma yoga (selfless service) and bhakti yoga (devotion), and emphasizes union with God.
What to expect: Classes include guided relaxation, meditation, chanting and prana-yama (breathing practices). Ideal for people seeking a spiritual practice and those with physical limitations. Expect to feel blissful afterward.
Founder/guru: Sri Swami Satchidananda. 1914-2002. “The aim of yoga is to calm the mind. That’s why we call it Integral Yoga, because we integrate everything – body, mind and spirit.”
Why you want to try it: You enjoy the physical practice of yoga, but you’re equally interested in mantra repetition, meditation, selfless service and devotion. You aren’t put off by orange robed swamis – in fact, you’d consider moving into an ashram to pursue your spiritual practice.
FYI: Swami Satchidananda gave the opening speech at Woodstock Music & Art Fair in 1969.
——————————————–
Iyengar
What it is: A method that teaches awareness through attention to anatomical precision and alignment in poses. There’s an emphasis on healing the body and mind using postures.
What to expect: Expect detailed instructions and to hold poses longer than in other styles. Beginner-level classes focus on standing poses. Most teachers use props as learning tools and offer restoratives classes.
Founder/guru: B.K.S. Iyengar. B. 1918. “Yoga has to be done with the intellect of the head as well as the intellect of the heart.”
Why you want to try it: You’re a stickler for details, and the technical intricacies of anatomy help focus your attention so you can turn inward. You find it worth the effort to amass props and properly set up a pose so you can stay put and access yoga’s power to heal and transform.
FYI: B.K.S. Iyengar’s book Light on Yoga, published in 1966, sparked the yoga revolution in the West.
——————————————–
Jivamukt
What it is: Based on the principles of bhakti yoga (devotion) and ahimsa (nonviolence). Combines a vigorous flow practice with classic spiritual yoga philosophy.
What to expect: Each clas focuses on a spiritual these supported by music, asana and pranayama. Meditation and chanting are often included. Expect to work hard and leaving feeling uplifted.
Founder/guru: Sharon Gannon B. 1951and David Life B. 1950. “You cannot do yoga. Yoga is the natural state.”
Why you want to try it: You’re up for physical challenge and love to groove to the music, but you’re not just going to class to rock out. You also want to learn about yoga philosophy, and you enjoy chanting in every class. You support nonviolence and see the value of a vegan lifestyle.
FYI: In Sanskrit, Jivamukti means “liberation while living.”
——————————————–
Kripalu
What it is: A free-flowing form of yoga that is as much a meditation in motion as it is a series of asanas. Supports relaxation and healing.
What to expect: Classes can be dynamic or restorative, depending on the teacher. Ideal for someone with physical limitations or someone interested in a meditation practice. Expect to feel peaceful afterward.
Founder/guru: Swami Kripalu. 1913-1981. “Those who do not know to sing and dance will never reach God.
Why you want to try it: You’re interested in classic asanas and meditation, but you’re really after an experience of compassionate self-acceptance, of observing the mind without judgment. The aim of your practice is not a better body, but the chance to apply what you learn on the mat to your daily life.
FYI: The first Kripalu Center was an ashram founded by Yogi Amrit Desai, a disciple of Swami Kripalu.
——————————————–
Kundalini
What it is: An energetic style of yoga composed of repetitive movements (like waving the arms) that differ from those in other styles and promote the release of kundalini energy.
What to expect: Classes focus on kriyas, or sequences, designed for a therapeutic purpose and include relaxation chanting and the repetition of mantras. This yoga will push you beyond what you think your limits are.
Founder/guru: Yogi Bhajan. 1929 – 2004. “The basic unit, you, is equal to radiance plus activity.”
Why you want to try it: Radiant is what you want to be. You’re interested in practices , however esoteric, that will detox body and mind, activate the chakras and awaken the Kundalini energy coiled at the base of your spine. You’re up for manta, music and meditation.
FYI: Kundalini means “serpent power,” which is believed to reside in the base of the spine.
——————————————–
Power
What it is: An American adaptation of Ashtanga Yoga, Power Yoga is a rigorous and dynamic practice.
What to expect: One of the most physically challenging forms of yoga. Poses can be advanced and held for long durations. Classes can also be spiritually intense, in a non-preachy way.
Founder/guru: Baron Baptiste. B. 1963. “What we need isn’t another quick fix, but rather a rebirth – a whole life revolution.”
Why you want to try it: A sweaty, flowing yoga class that tests your endurance is irresistible to you. You like to move through poses at a moderate to fast clip while consciously using your breathe as fuel. A heated room helps you warm up inside and out. You love pushing your body and mind to the limit.
FYI: One of the first kinds of yoga to be taught in gyms and health clubs.
——————————————–
Sivananda
What it is: A spiritually focused practice that emphasizes Vedanta philosophy and the recitation of mantras. Incorporates techniques from many yoga paths – karma, bhakti, raja and jnana yoga.
What to expect: Classes begin with deep, relaxation and pranayama, then focus on 12 foundational poses. Pranayama and mantra meditation are also taught. Sanskrit definitely spoken here.
Founder/guru: Swami Vishnu-devananda. 1927-1993. “Mantra is a particular wavelength of a spiritual mystical symbol. Eventually your mind will be tuned to it. At this time you have cosmic consciousness.”
Why you want to try it: You’re less interested in alignment or athleticism than in spiritual transformation. You’d like a traditional and comprehensive approach to exercise, breathing, relaxation, diet, positive thinking and meditation, all in service to experiencing universal consciousness.
FYI: Today their are nine Sivananda ashrams around the world.
——————————————–
Vinyasa
What it is: This American innovation is more free form than its progenitor Ashtanga Yoga.
What to expect: A flowing sequence of asanas coordinated with the breath. Classes can be either vigorous or meditative, depending on the teacher
Founder/guru: Derivative of Shtanga Yoga. “Vinyasa is a natural sequence, unfolding with creative intelligence – a conscious evolution connecting each moment with unifying breath.” Shiva Rae. B. 1967.
Why you want to try it: You prefer a flowing rhythm in your practice and like to move to music. Sometimes you enjoy classes that break down the alignment of poses, and other times you just enjoy the movement. You prefer linking movements together and being conscious of your breath in each pose.
FYI: a.k.a. Flow Yoga. In Sanskrit, vi means “in a special way” and nyasa means “to place.”
——————————————–
Yoga Therapy
What it is: A personalized therapeutic practice, especially suitable for those who have suffered injuries or are recovering from a traumatic event, such as surgery.
What to expect: A gentle, healing practice that places less emphasis on vigorous movement. Usually taught as private sessions or in small groups. Gives individuals a personalized plan for healing.
Founder/guru: Sri T. Krishnamacharya. 1888 – 1989. “Breath is central to yoga because it is central to life…and yoga is about life.”
Why you want to try it: you are interested in healing yourself from the inside out and think that one-on-one work with a teacher is the best way to take care of your body, mid and spirit. you may have a specific injury or ailment and are interested in exploring how yoga can help you manage or resolve the issue.
FYI: A 2005 medical study designed by Gary Kraftsow showed that yoga therapy is beneficial for back pain.
Join Us On Facebook, Twitter, Vimeo & YouTube
Functional Apparel for the Unconventional Spirit
It is a great honor for me to teach and live in the same area where Paramhansa Yogananda lived and wrote, Autobiography of a Yogi. Also, Encinitas is the home of my friend and Ashtanga Vinyasa teacher, Tim Miller. It is a very hip seaside town 20 miles north of San Diego, a home for some great surfers, tri-athletes, rock climbers, and many fantastic yoga studios. Since Patahbi Jois first came to the US there in 1975, Encinitas is regarded as the fountainhead of vinyasa style yoga in North America.
The Center is located on Hwy 101 just 2 blocks from the gardens of Yogananda’s Self Realization Fellowship and the beautiful bluffs overlooking the great surf at “Swami’s Beach.” With a large dome roof with skylights and large windows, the Southern California sunshine pours onto a huge hardwood floor designed to accommodate many students and friends from around the world.
Very soon I will be teaching from The Center along with many certified teachers, scholars, and master teachers in a variety of disciplines including anatomy and tantric philosophy. With a home base I will be practicing regularly at The Center, so I invite you all to come join me to co-create some positive energy during this incredible period of history on the planet. Enjoy a sunny refuge with a vibrant, mindful, and affirming local community while practicing some fantastic yoga.
