It's unlikely that anyone today can count all the types and directions of yoga. Due to its great popularity, there are more and more movements, and classifications are also changing. Let's look at two common classifications - traditional practices and modern ones.
Traditional
Traditional or classical types of yoga are distinguished primarily by their antiquity. Having been formed in the early stages of training, the practices have survived to this day almost unchanged. Their main focus is on strengthening the body and improving the soul.
Bhakti Yoga is one of the oldest teachings and one of the most valuable in India. Until the middle of the last century, the trend did not go beyond the Indian peninsula. Bhakti yoga is about love and service to God, the perfection of the soul and the search for the meaning of life. There is no need to perform complex asanas, this type of yoga is well suited for beginners. It helps to find peace of mind, increase stress resistance and gain love for the world and yourself.
Raja yoga or "royal yoga" is primarily aimed at freeing the mind. The direction involves several successive stages of work with the body and spirit, which allows you to achieve an enlightened mind. In the modern interpretation, this means getting rid of negative thoughts, fussiness and mental wanderings. Focus on the main thing and find meaning in life. This practice involves more work with the mind than with the body.
Karma yoga is perhaps the closest to the modern idea. It teaches you to look at the world differently, to change your perceptions, which will inevitably lead to a change in the surrounding reality. Yoga exercises allow you to learn to be grateful to the world, to enjoy the process of activity rather than its result, and to humble it.
Modern
Modern types of yoga, in terms of content, are the most ancient practices adapted for Westerners. If orthodox directions are focused primarily on working with the spirit and mind, modern exercise complexes are based on body health. Which, in principle, does not negate spiritual work. There are many modern styles of yoga, here are some of the most common.
Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic practice based on several sets of exercises. The sequential performance of asanas in a certain breathing rhythm is connected by sets of movements - vinyasas. The Himalayas are the birthplace of the movement, where vigorous yoga could be practiced in a relatively cold climate. This complex is not suitable for beginners, but will be a great solution for people with good physical fitness.
Iyengar is a good choice for yoga from scratch. Developed in the twentieth century, the programme is based on improving the body's posture during asanas. The rule "1 week - 1 asana" allows you to achieve the perfect result. The practice allows you to develop balance and work your muscles thoroughly. It is suitable for beginners, people with poor physical fitness and health restrictions.
Bikram yoga, despite all the scandals associated with its founder, continues to be the most popular in the United States. The workout involves the sequential performance of 26 asanas in a heated room up to 38-40 degrees with a humidity of about 50%. Heat helps to make muscles elastic, effectively removes toxins, relieves swelling and reduces weight.
Antigravity yoga is one of the most modern trends created by American choreographer Christopher Harrison. Classes are held in a hammock suspended from the ceiling and include, in addition to yoga, elements of Pilates and acrobatics. The hammock reduces the strain on the back, perfectly circulates the lymph and has virtually no contraindications.
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