In today’s world more people are becoming aware of the need to live a healthy lifestyle and look after their bodies. While few of us will ever be able to completely shake fried goodies, at least cutting back and doing some sit-ups can make us feel better about ourselves. True health, however, extends beyond simply the body’s appearance and delves more into the state of their inner body as well as mental state of being. One practice that recognizes this all around approach to health is yoga. Yoga has been around for centuries, but it has really exploded in popularity in Western culture within the last few decades as people’s lives become more hectic and they need help reconnecting with a sense of peace.
There are many different styles of yoga, but some are more common than others. One style is known as Ananda. This style of yoga focuses deeply on the inner part of a person, working to attune their energy, or “chakras”. This is a very spiritual form of yoga and is quite gentle, not employing much in the physical arena. A more aerobic form of yoga is known as Ashtanga. With this yoga, participants move from one position to the other in rapid sequence, testing their stamina, flexibility, and durability. The rapid movement forces people to focus and listen to their body and how it moves. This style of yoga is for individuals who have done yoga before and are in rather good physical shape already.
Bikram yoga is practiced in a room that is set to a temperature of about 104˚ Fahrenheit and forces participants to stretch out their muscles and ligaments while sweating more than they ever have. It is especially important for people to listen to their bodies while doing Bikram yoga since it is very easy to pass out due to the heat. These are just a few of the numerous styles of yoga, but they demonstrate how each style brings something unique to the table. Depending on what a person is looking for in terms of their health, there is more than likely a style of yoga that can help them attain their goals.