Happy Exercising offers three styles of yoga...
Ashtanga yoga
A collection of slow-paced, set poses, relaxation and meditation techniques, which can include chanting. Sessions are based on building strength and flexibility. Ashtanga is perfect for those new to yoga and is great for clients who lead stressful, busy lifestyles and need to relax and spend some time on themselves.
Power yoga
Similar to Ashtanga yoga but, unlike Ashtanga, power yoga does not follow a set series of poses. Power yoga will most likely appeal to people who are already quite fit, enjoy exercising and want a minimal amount of chanting and meditation with their yoga.
Vinyasa yoga
A strongly breath-synchronized movement, vigorous in style, based on the performance of a series of poses in which movement is matched to breathing. Poses flow from one to the next, so this technique appeals to those who are already fit and regular exercisers. Vinyasa draws in those who are easily bored.
Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, which refers to the eight limbs of yoga laid out in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Ashtanga method of asana practice was interpreted by Krishnamacharya and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois from an ancient text called the Yoga Korunta, which described a unique system of hatha yoga developed by Vamana Rishi.
About the Ashtanga Series of Poses
The first or primary series, called Yoga Chikitsa, is described in Yoga Mala. Yoga Chikitsa, which means yoga therapy, realigns the spine, detoxifies the body, and builds strength, flexibility and stamina. The series of about 75 poses takes an hour and a half to two hours (2 sessions) to complete, beginning with sun salutations and moving on to standing poses, seated poses, inversions and backbends before relaxation.
The intermediate or second series (which we work up to over a few months) is called Nadi Shodana, meaning nervous system purification. It cleanses and strengthens the nervous system and the subtle energy channels throughout the body. This series is only introduced when the primary series is strong. It follows the same progression (sun salutations, standing, sitting etc.) as the primary series, but introduces new poses and variations.
The third or advanced series is called Sthira Bhaga, which means divine stability. Pattabhi Jois originally outlined two intensive advanced series, but later subdivided them into four series to make them accessible to more people. These series emphasize difficult arm balances and are only appropriate for extremely advanced clients.
Is Ashtanga yoga for you?
Ashtanga yoga is extremely popular. It is a vigorous, athletic style of practice. It appeals to those who like a sense of order and who like to do things independently. Ashtanga yoga leaves one feeling lengthened and leaner, taller and ‘chilled’. Ideal for client’s for whom yoga is new.
Power yoga
Power yoga is a general term used to describe a vigorous, fitness-based approach to vinyasa-style yoga. Most power yoga is closely modelled on the Ashtanga style of practice. The term "power yoga" came into common usage in the mid 1990s, when several yoga teachers were looking for a way to make Ashtanga yoga more accessible to western students. Unlike Ashtanga, power yoga does not follow a set series of poses. Therefore, any power yoga class can vary widely from the next. What they have in common is an emphasis on strength and flexibility. The advent of power yoga heralded yoga's current popularity, as people began to see yoga as a way to work out. Power yoga brought yoga into the gyms of England.
Two American yoga teachers are most often credited with the near simultaneous invention of Power yoga: Beryl Bender Birch, based in New York, and Bryan Kest, based in Los Angeles. Not coincidentally, both these teachers had studied with Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Using the term Power yoga differentiated the intense, flowing style of yoga they were teaching from the gentle stretching and meditation that many Americans associated with yoga. Another name often associated with power yoga is Baron Baptiste. Baptiste has his own method, which is only taught by teachers he certifies.
Is Power yoga for you?
Power yoga will most likely appeal to people who are already quite fit, enjoy exercising, and want a minimal amount of chanting and meditation with their yoga.
Vinyasa yoga
Vinyasa is a term that covers a broad range of yoga classes. The word Vinyasa means “breath-synchronized movement.” In other words, I will instruct you to move from one pose to the next on an inhale or an exhale. This technique is sometimes also called Vinyasa Flow, or just Flow because of the smooth way that the poses run together and become like a dance.
A Cat-Cow Stretch is an example of a very simple Vinyasa, because the spine is arched on an inhale and rounded on an exhale. A Sun Salutation sequence is an example of a more complex Vinyasa. Each movement in the series is done on an inhalation or an exhalation.
This style allows for a lot of variety, but will almost certainly include Sun Salutations. Expect movement, not just stretching. Whether the session is fast or slow, includes chanting, or is very alignment-oriented will depend on the individual client’s needs both physically and emotionally (spiritually).
Is Vinyasa yoga for you?
Vinyasa’s strength is in its diversity. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence that we must follow during a session, so there is a lot of room for individual personalities and quirks to come through. If you enjoy having things a little loose and unpredictable and like to move, Vinyasa is probably right for you.
