The 24 types of yoga that will improve your mental balance
Yoga, despite being fashionable in the West, is an ancient practice which has shown many benefits both physical and psychological. For many, it is not only a way to keep the body firm and healthy, but it is key to their mental well-being.
Given its long history and popularity in Asian regions, there is currently no simple yoga, but rather there are, rather, various types of yoga created with different objectives. Let's see what they are.
The benefits of Yoga
Anyone can learn to practice yoga, and that's why it has so many followers. In the last decade, its practice in the West has increased in such a way that it is possible to enjoy its benefits in any gym or in specialized training centers.
The benefits of this ancient art They are the following:
- Improve flexibility
- Reduce stress
- Help in physical recovery
- Improve sleep
- Improves mood
- Increase strength
- Helps maintain balance and coordination
- Prevents injuries
- Improves concentration
- Improve the resistance
- Improve intimate relationships
You can delve into these benefits in our articles: "The 6 psychological benefits of yoga" and "10 benefits of yoga for athletes (according to science)"
Types of Yoga
Throughout the centuries, this practice has been evolving and there are many types of yoga that have emerged. They are the following:
1. Iyengar
The main characteristic of this type of yoga is the intensity with which attention must be maintained in the present . It is named after its founder Bellur Krishnamachar Sundararaja Iyengar. It uses accessories such as wooden blocks, ribbons, harnesses and tilt boards that help to achieve more perfect postures and allows individuals with physical limitations to do the asanas.
2. Yoga Mindfulness
The Mindfulness Yoga or Atento Yoga refers to a type of yoga in which the full awareness of the breath and the connection between the body and the mind is worked. It is meditation in movement , where the important thing is to be aware of the union of body and mind and to detect the limitations of each one. Self-pity and self-care are worked on.
3. Bikram
This type of yoga refers to a series of exercises, specifically, 26 demanding asanas and difficult to master that take place in a space where the temperature is 42 ° C. The sessions last 90 minutes.
4. Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is the most practiced in the world . There are other types of yoga, some more mental and others that promote love and are more disinterested. Hatha Yoga is known as physical yoga, and although it also has a spiritual component (meditation, breathing ...), it has a strong physical component.
5. Anusara
A type of modern yoga that It was created in 1997 . It focuses on your asanas that open the heart and take into account the spiritual and meditative benefits of this practice.
6. Passive yoga
Passive yoga It is a preventive and relaxing technique , and it is a healing therapy that encompasses all the vital areas of the human being: the physical, the mental and the emotional. It is also called Thai Massage.
If you want to know more, you can read our article: "Passive Yoga: discover the benefits of stretching."
7. Vinyasa yoga
It is known as Yoga flow and it refers to the connection with the breathing and movement of the asanas . The transition from one to the other is smooth. Each session ends in savasana, which is the final relaxation posture.
8. Yoga Ashtanga
This type of yoga is also known as "Power Yoga". Like the previous one, it focuses on the connection between asanas and breathing, but the movements are faster and physical .
9. Hot yoga
Like the Yoga Bikram too It is practiced in a room with a high temperature . However, it does not contemplate the sequence of 26 Bikram postures, but any type of yoga can be used.
10. Kundalini Yoga
It focuses on breathing (pranayama) and core work, while paying attention to developing consciousness. Each position has a different breathing technique associated , with the idea that this intensifies the position. A very spiritual and meditative style.
11. Yoga Yin
Developed by Paulie Zink It is a slow yoga style in which postures are maintained for long periods of time. This helps strengthen the connective tissue, improve circulation and increase flexibility.
12. Jivamukti Yoga
It is a type of Hatha yoga, but it is not just a physical exercise to keep the body in shape or to increase strength or flexibility. This style of yoga aims to lead to enlightenment and is based on the idea of the unity of being , in which the relationship with others is very important.
13. Kripalu Yoga
A type of yoga that has three characteristic elements: knowing, accepting and learning from the body. It's based on a series of prolonged postures that favor meditation . The person must feel deeply to find the spontaneous flow in the asanas.
14. Restorative Yoga
A job that requires deep meditation, with slow movements . A yoga of few postures and short duration, but with the aim of a psychic cleansing, to feel like new.
15. Yoga Sivananda
A slow yoga practice in which 12 asanas are always used. This type of yoga has its origin in the a philosophy that relaxation, diet, exercise and positive thinking work together to form a healthy yogic lifestyle
16. Viniyoga
It is based on the idea of adapting the goals to their own needs and abilities. "Vini" refers to differentiation, adaptation and appropriate application. It's a new kind of yoga, that does not use force and flexibility , if not proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF).
17. Prenatal yoga
Yoga can be a great help for mothers. Prenatal yoga It is ideal for those women who are pregnant . Thanks to Prenatal Yoga, future moms can take care of their body or maintain a healthy and relaxed mind, in addition to a much more relaxed delivery.
18. Tantric yoga
A yoga that has its origin in the control of all energies, including sexual . It is ideal to practice as a couple because it promotes union and balance between masculine and feminine energies.
19. Forrest Yoga
Forrest Yoga is a practice that requires great physical effort and that aims to transport the transformation of the person beyond the yoga sessions. It aims to overcome emotional blocks and find the way forward.
20. Ishta Yoga
This type of yoga It was created by Alan Finger in the 60s in South Africa . It is based on the idea of mental clarity and generosity of spirit. This practice combines the principles of Hatha and Tantra yogas. .
21.Yoga focused on the Core
This is a type of Yoga that has been created in the gyms of the United States. He was born in Denver in 2002 and, since then, has spread throughout the West. It puts its focus of attention on the central part of the body .
22. Integral Yoga
A softer Hatha Yoga style, which has its origin in the ideas and guidelines of Sri Swami Satchidananda . In an attempt to integrate mind, body and spirit, this type of yoga includes singing and meditation.
23. Yoga Moksha
Founded in Canada in 2004, it is also known as Yoga Mode. It's a style that has 45 asanas carried out a heated room , just like hot Yoga.
24. Yoga Sridaiva
This style is very peculiar, different from the previous ones and introduces a new system of alignment. It is quite different from other types of yoga in which the knees are kept bent and the pelvis is always leaning forward. The defenders say they find a new force in this lineup.
