Types of Yoga

This article serves as an introduction to the major types of yoga. Each section is not meant to be exhaustive but links are provided to more articles for information on a particular yoga exercise style. I've also included links to videos demonstrating the different yoga postures and poses to give the beginner an idea of the variety of styles in order to choose the type of yoga he or she is most attracted to.

Ananda Yoga is a version of yoga presented by Kriyananda, an early protege of Parmhansa Yogananda. Yogananda was considered the first yogic teacher from India to live and teach in the West. The Ananda philosophy advocates that the practitioner have a direct experience of God, which Yogananda refers to as 'self-realization.' Ananda yoga seeks to help the practitioner awaken and master energies from the chakras as a way of bringing harmony to the mind, body and emotion centers. See The Autobiography of a Yogi.

Ashtanga Yoga (originated by Patanjali) poses flow from one posture to another in a Vinyasa (where the breath is synchronized with the physical exercise) style series. Some consider it a more athletic practice than simpler types of yoga like Hatha. The word Ashtanga means "the eight limb path" referring to the bringing together of correct moral code, personal discipline, Yoga positions, Yoga breathing, withdrawal of the senses, focus on an object, meditating, and salvation.

Bikram Yoga (or Hot Yoga) follows a series of yoga positions (asanas) performed in a very warm room set at 105 degrees temperature. The extreme heat allows stretching of the joints and muscles for a more flexible extension. The style is known by it's founders' name, Bikram Choudhury, from Los Angeles. A typical session includes 26 yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises.

Bhakti Yoga is a devotiional path. Progression in one's evolution toward the divine is achieved through serving God. Rather than specific breathing exercises, yoga positions or asanas, the practice of Bhakti is concentrating on living life through acts of service in love and devotion.

Hatha Yoga refers to any physical type of yoga involving positions or asanas. These could be very basic postures or advanced exercises. But typically, a Hatha yoga class will be for beginners and include simple yoga poses that almost anyone starting out can do. It aims to create a calm and centered mind and body connection.

Iyengar Yoga was originated by B.K.S. Iyengar. Many consider the Iyengar style extremely challenging because of its requirement of intense focus and concentration when achieving its arduous yoga poses. Iyengar yoga exercises focus on asanas or postures and complete control of the breath. This type of yoga emphasize and teaches correct body alignment for practicing the exercises.

Kriya Yoga works through meditation practices that bring breath control and tranquility which aim to establish communion with the divine energy of the cosmos. Kriya yoga became popular in the West after Paramahansa Yogananda wrote about it in his famous book Autobiography of a Yogi. Kriya yoga was said to be an ancient practice of Krishna and then lost to man until the 1800's when revitalized by Mahavatar Babaji.

Kundalini Yoga became popular in the West because of Yogi Bhajan. This style of yoga aims at awakening and mastering what is known as Kundalini energy, which is said to move up and down the spinal area. Kundalini yoga seeks to wake up the seven chakras and tap into a resource of energy called prana residing at the base of the spine. It is said that when the prana energy rises to the Crown Chakra, enlightenment awakens. Kundalini Yoga exercises are physicaly intense and include special breathing that magnifies the effects of the poses.

Mantra Yoga consists of meditations, practiced by repeating specific sacred sounds in Hindu or Vedic language. The Mantra tradition is said to enhance changes of conscousness. This type of yoga is probably best known by the popularization of repeating the sound "om." The sacred sounds awaken energy, focus the mind, and introduce the practitioner to higher consicousness.

Raja Yoga practice includes having the student meditate on a single point in space toward the goal of entering an awareness of the unity of all things. Raja yoga exercises involve training the mind to discard thoughts in order to contact the ultimate reality and achieve liberation. The main concern is with taming the mind, whereas many other types of yoga promote physical exercises and positions.

Sivananda Yoga postures derive from structured exercises written by Vishnu-Devananda, author of The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga, which explores the yoga of Patanjali (classic Hatha Yoga) to the Westerner. Swami Sivananda, for whom this type of yoga is named, is said to have contributed to integrating the four main paths of Yoga into a spiritual discipline. Sivananda yoga emphasizes the synthesis of proper exercise, correct breathing, relaxation, appropriate diet, positive hinking, and meditation.

Tantric Yoga involves practices that claim to elevate consciousness through harnessing sexial energy, sometimes referred to as sacred sex. The word Tantra refers to achieving oneness through the coming together of the opposite male and female energies. However, most Tantra exercises do not involve sex. Many original tantric yogic practices have been Westernized and replaced with an over emphasis on the sensual.