June 21st is celebrated as the International Yoga Day and let me begin by sharing that I went to my class to practice. Yay for that!
Yoga needs no introduction. While it originated in India, practitioners are all over the world. Until I started practicing regularly, I never knew that there are many forms of Yoga that one can practice. What’s good about the various forms is that they let you stretch differently and focus on different parts of the body.
Here are 7 types of Yoga that I know of:
- Yin Yoga – A slow form that means staying in a posture longer. This type helps to stretch, open up and relax.
- Yoga with props – A form that uses props like blocks, ropes, and chairs to practice. Simple asanas but done differently.
- Power Yoga – A fast paced form that’s fluid and works like a cardio workout.
- Hatha – A form that uses traditional postures aligned with the breath.
- Ashtanga – A fast and strenuous form that uses six established sequences.
- Natya Yoga – A blend of dance and yoga postures done in open spaces with a light music.
- Kundalini – A form that combines meditation, breathing postures, chanting of mantras along with simple asanas.
There are a couple more types but I am no expert. These types are what I have experienced personally. So if you are one who thinks Yoga is too slow for you, try the above and you will know that it’s not a child’s play. You can be an expert who can move freely in a headstand or you could be like me getting her shoulder stand right.
Yoga helps you get you on your own journey. Without the pressure of any competition.
This is post #3 of the 2nd edition of #BarAThon.
happiness and food 
Thanks for sharing about the different kinds of yoga. I don’t know much about yoga and have yet to try it but it does seem popular and a great exercise for the mind and body. Maybe one of these days, I’ll give it a go.
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You should try it out Cat. It’s fun and helps one learn about themselves. 🙂
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I had no clue there were so many kinds. I think what we do is a bit of more than one type. Oh and once I went to a yoga class and they had these long rope loops which we were supposed to entwine in our legs and turn ourselves upside. I was one of the few newbies who could actually do it – only I had no clue how to untangle myself. I ended up making a complete fool of myself that day hanging upside down till the instructor set me free. :-).
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Oh yes. There are lots of different kinds of yoga propounded by the various gurus. You have the Iyengar Yoga ( which uses props and is also called furniture yoga), Bihar School Yoga, Bikram Yoga or Hot Yoga and my kind of on and off yoga or do whenever you like it yoga….. I do hope you enjoyed your yoga practice on International Yoga Day. Keep stretching!
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As far as I’m concerned, you’re an expert. You’ve just introduced me to 7 new forms of Yoga I had never heard of before. Thanks for sharing and I hope you enjoy!
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A few of these like Natya yoga is new to me. I do a kriya which is best categorized under Kundalini Yoga. Love it.
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Yoga is on my wish list for long. Hope to go for it sometimes soon.
Oh, there’s a video of Beer Yoga which is doing the rounds. They believe in combining the philosophies of yoga with the the pleasure of beer-drinking to reach highest level of consciousness. How cool! Rolls Eyes
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Only those who have never done Yoga feel it is easy. You sweat it out, and the body alignment is so tough to master. But the best part is the calm you feel after doing Yoga. Good for you that you are regular with your Yoga class.
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Oh how did my comment got posted as Uma’s?? Parul could you pls delete this one. Thanks! Shilpa
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Done!
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Most people who never practice it have weird notions about it but you need to become a practitioner and see how it dramatically alter your, mind, soul and body. But nothing is to be achieved in a short time. It takes time to see the results so people often get skeptical about it.
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I agree, Parul.
I have been practising the Kundalini Yoga since two years now and it has sure changed the way I feel about myself and about my surroundings to a great extent!
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Wow.. I dont even aware of these many yoga types are there.. I am familiar with kundalini .. That too its been a long time since I practiced.. I agree with you its helps to find our journey without any competition
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I had no idea that there were that many types of yoga. This was an enlightening read. Thanks for sharing, Parul. 🙂
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I have been wanting to make Yoga a regular part of my life, but the lack of an instructor nearby has been my excuse. So glad you’ve been regular with your Yoga classes and are enjoying the same 🙂
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I have tried yoga, aerobics and gym until now and think my body is more comfortable doing the slow Hatha yoga but then I am challenging myself with strenuous exercises these days. I wasn’t aware about yoga with props.
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I know it is not a child’s play…I’ve been doing yoga for a while now. I have to still learn a lot though ☺️
Some from your list are new to me.
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I love yoga and have done all of these forms of yoga at one time or another. As my shoulder recovers from surgery though, Yin yoga is my current favorite.
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