Top 5 Yoga Techniques That Are Widely Practiced Today

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Top 5 Yoga Techniques-01
Image – Anil Sharma Via Pixabay

Yoga is an ancient form that has been evolving gradually, catering to the needs of people with different needs. In the recent years, it has been greatly influenced by the West. Today, many different Yoga techniques have been invented and are being taught. A few popular yoga practices like the Hatha Yoga, Hot Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga and Doga were discussed in our previous article. And now, we talk about a few more types of Yoga Techniques that are widely practiced today:

1. Postnatal Yoga

Postnatal Yoga
Source – shantigreen.com

Postnatal yoga is a specialized form of yoga designed for women after childbirth. It focuses on physical recovery, including gentle exercises and stretches to rebuild core strength and flexibility. Postnatal yoga also emphasizes relaxation, stress reduction, and bonding with the baby. It incorporates exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor muscles and promotes a mind-body connection through self-awareness and mindfulness. It’s important to consult with your healthcare provider and join classes led by certified instructors to ensure a safe and tailored practice. Remember to listen to your body and make adjustments according to your needs.

2. Prenatal Yoga

Prenatal-Yoga
Source – doyouyoga.com

Prenatal yoga techniques encompass a thoughtfully curated series of asanas (postures) and breathing techniques that aim to restore balance and vitality while fostering a heightened sense of pregnancy awareness. The practice incorporates concentration and relaxation techniques that aid in preparing for labor and birth, as well as providing relief during these processes. Prenatal yoga serves as a valuable tool for expectant mothers, supporting their physical and mental well-being throughout the transformative journey of pregnancy.

3. Aerial Yoga

Aerial-Yoga
Source – makeupandbeauty.com

Anti-Gravity Yoga, also known as “aerial yoga,” is an innovative yoga practice that originated in New York and has gained popularity worldwide. This unique form of yoga seamlessly integrates traditional yoga poses, pilates, and dance, all performed with the aid of a supportive hammock. By incorporating the hammock into the practice, Anti-Gravity Yoga enables practitioners to experience a heightened sense of weightlessness, allowing for deeper stretches, increased flexibility, and enhanced core strength. As a result, this dynamic fusion of disciplines offers a refreshing and invigorating approach to physical fitness and mindfulness.

4. Power Yoga

Power-Yoga
Source – bhaav.co.in

Power yoga is a dynamic and energizing form of yoga that has gained popularity in the western world. It is characterized by its vigorous, fitness-oriented approach to vinyasa-style yoga. While some may perceive it as “gym yoga,” power yoga’s roots can be traced back to the traditional Ashtanga method. In an effort to introduce Ashtanga yoga to a wider audience in the mid-1990s, the term “power yoga” emerged as a way to make this practice more accessible to western students. By combining the strength-building and cardiovascular aspects of exercise with the flowing sequences of vinyasa, power yoga offers a challenging yet rewarding experience that promotes physical fitness, mental focus, and overall well-being.

5. Vini Yoga

Vini-Yoga
Source – welldoing.org

The term “viniyoga” was coined by T. K. V. Desikachar, son of Krishnamacharya, to encapsulate his unique approach to yoga. Desikachar strongly believes in tailoring the practice of yoga to suit the individuality and specific needs of each practitioner. He emphasizes the importance of adapting and modifying yoga techniques to best serve the practitioner’s unique circumstances and requirements. In essence, viniyoga represents a personalized and individualized approach to yoga, where the tools and principles of yoga are skillfully utilized to create a practice that is attuned to the practitioner’s body, mind, and overall situation.

Notable Yoga Gurus

It is a widely known fact that this art has its roots in our country and pioneers like Swami Vivekananda, B.K.S. Iyengar, T. krishnamacharya, Sri Pattabhi Jois have contributed a lot to the evolution of Yoga. Here are some of the other famous yoga proponents and their specializations:

Bikram Chaudhary: Helped form the famous Yoga Style called Hot Yoga where a series of 26 hatha yoga postures are done in a hot environment of 40 degree Celsius. He wanted to replicate the hot humid Indian weather while teaching his students in the West in order to help them have a complete experience about this form

Anna Forrest: Ana Forrest developed Forrest yoga as a way to overcome her physical and mental limitations. She has been teaching for more than 40 years, and her practice focuses on healing, which makes her style gentle and innovative

Baron Baptiste: Baptiste is the inventor of Power Yoga, and the son of healthy living and Western yoga pioneers Walt and Magana Baptiste. Power Yoga is an energized practice in a heated room that allows a yogi to reach greater dimensions of self

Lilias Folan: Considered the “First Lady” of Western yoga, Folan was one of the first instructors to encourage enthusiasts through television and home video.

Shiva Rea: A specialist of yoga chant and dance separates herself from other yoga instructors by demonstrating just how powerful music is to a yoga practice. She develops unique soundscapes for her routines, especially her yoga trance dances, and for others to incorporate into their practices as well.

Although the original techniques are preserved and followed by some even today, the ancient system has been significantly altered re-imagined in the last 10-15 years. However, Yoga in its ancient form as well its evolved form has its own benefits. There have been many changes to the way it has been taught today, but the core purpose or the reason why it is practiced still remains the same. Also one of the main reasons Yoga has evolved is that it can be widely accepted all over the world without any cultural or religious barriers. With the conception of the International Yoga day on 21st June, the ancient art has come into the limelight once again, thus creating awareness among millions about the benefits of this sidelined physical, mental and spiritual practice.

Factfile-
www.psychologytoday.com
www.buzzfeed.com
www.indiatimes.com
www.doyouyoga.com

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