The colors of Yoga

Although the classic postures are proven and are the same for millennia, hatha-yoga continues to evolve and has taken different forms, especially in the twentieth century. Each of the styles of yoga combines postures, breathing exercises and meditation in a more or less energetic or gentle, lively or quiet. Here are the most common in the West.

Anusara: A new form of yoga founded in 1997 by John Friend. She quickly popularized and is now present in 70 countries. Its basic philosophy is to celebrate the heart and see the good in everyone and everything.

Ashtanga: Characterized by synchronizing the breath with rapid sequences of postures increasingly demanding. This raises the metabolism and body temperature. Excellent endurance. In the U.S., we developed a particularly dynamic called Power Yoga.

Designed in the United States in the 1960s, it offers a balanced integration of postures, breathing, meditation and relaxation. (Do not confuse with the spiritual approach of Sri Aurobindo, also called integral yoga.)

Iyengar: Disciplined and rigorous courses where the emphasis is on the alignment of members, and especially of the spine, very health oriented. No spiritual connotation, but the meditative aspect is present.

Kripalu: A dance of body, mind and energy, with an emphasis on breathing techniques. Promote particularly the cardiovascular, digestive and nervous systems.

Kundalini: Is primarily aimed at awakening the kundalini, the original energy healing. The approach works on the meditative consciousness through sequences of postures.

Sivananda Vedanta: Classes are taught by the Sivananda organization in its own centers. The emphasis on positive thinking, meditation, breathing, relaxation and nutrition. This very spiritual aspect.

Sudarshan Kriya: This form of yoga was founded by Sri Sri Ravi Shankar in the early 1980s. Now present in over 140 countries, it relies heavily on breathing to rebalance the body and mind.

Viniyoga: Is characterized by the integration of movement with breathing and individualized instruction that adapts to each individual.

As for prenatal yoga, this course focused on the specific needs of pregnant women. The instructor then selects certain exercises (postural and breathing) to help them overcome difficulties related to pregnancy, to facilitate the steps of delivery and promote a return to a balanced body after birth. Instructors can be practiced in one or the other movements mentioned above.

There is also the Tibetan yoga, is practiced with belts or straps to keep the body in certain postures which promote particular relaxation.