What is Yoga?
Yoga is an ancient tradition that began in India perhaps 5,000 years ago. It addresses the physical, mental and spiritual health of humanity. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means to yoke. Yoga unites the seemingly disparate aspects of our being -- body, mind and soul -- into a unified whole.
Benefits of Yoga
In yoga class, students are introduced to a system of postures, rhythmic breathing, chanting and meditation. At the physical level, yoga will strengthen the body and give relief from common ailments. At the psychological level, yoga sharpens the mind, balances the emotions and increases concentration. At the spiritual level, yoga brings inner peace.
Types of Yoga
Anusara: Developed by John Friend and based in Tantric philosophy, it is a system that combines attention to detail and awareness of energy flow in a heart-felt practice.
Ashtanga: Developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, it is characterized by set series of postures synchronized with the breath to produce purifying internal heat.
Bikram: A series of 26 poses and breathing exercises developed by Bikram Choudhury, practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees. The purpose is to warm the muscles and produce detoxifying sweat.
Integral: Swami Satchidananda introduced a gentle practice that integrates hatha yoga with other branches of yoga. It is ideal for those wanting to develop a spiritual practice.
Iyengar: Named for yoga master Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, it is a vigorous style of yoga that emphasizes alignment, internal awareness, and the use of props to heal the body and mind.
Kripalu: A free-flowing form of yoga that is meditation in motion. Classes are both dynamic and restorative and support a meditation practice.
Kundalini: Means serpent power, and promotes a release of energy said to reside in the spine. The practice incorportates postures, energetic breathing and chanting.
Viniyoga: A personalized therapeutic practice. The great yoga master Sri Krishnamacharyas son, T.K.V. Desikachar is the inspiration for Viniyoga.
Yoga is an ancient tradition that began in India perhaps 5,000 years ago. It addresses the physical, mental and spiritual health of humanity. The word yoga comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means to yoke. Yoga unites the seemingly disparate aspects of our being -- body, mind and soul -- into a unified whole.
Benefits of Yoga
In yoga class, students are introduced to a system of postures, rhythmic breathing, chanting and meditation. At the physical level, yoga will strengthen the body and give relief from common ailments. At the psychological level, yoga sharpens the mind, balances the emotions and increases concentration. At the spiritual level, yoga brings inner peace.
Types of Yoga
Anusara: Developed by John Friend and based in Tantric philosophy, it is a system that combines attention to detail and awareness of energy flow in a heart-felt practice.
Ashtanga: Developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, it is characterized by set series of postures synchronized with the breath to produce purifying internal heat.
Bikram: A series of 26 poses and breathing exercises developed by Bikram Choudhury, practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees. The purpose is to warm the muscles and produce detoxifying sweat.
Integral: Swami Satchidananda introduced a gentle practice that integrates hatha yoga with other branches of yoga. It is ideal for those wanting to develop a spiritual practice.
Iyengar: Named for yoga master Sri B.K.S. Iyengar, it is a vigorous style of yoga that emphasizes alignment, internal awareness, and the use of props to heal the body and mind.
Kripalu: A free-flowing form of yoga that is meditation in motion. Classes are both dynamic and restorative and support a meditation practice.
Kundalini: Means serpent power, and promotes a release of energy said to reside in the spine. The practice incorportates postures, energetic breathing and chanting.
Viniyoga: A personalized therapeutic practice. The great yoga master Sri Krishnamacharyas son, T.K.V. Desikachar is the inspiration for Viniyoga.