Practicing Yoga for Physical Strength

By Rachel Holmes

Yoga is a combination of physical, spiritual and mental disciplines that originated in ancient India. It is designed to both strengthen the body physically and mentally. There are many different types of yoga, and they all have a specific purpose. Hatha yoga is a slow paced physical practice that focuses on strengthening the body as well as the breath. Vinyasa yoga is a flowing physical and breath based practice that is very physical or very therapeutic (slow flow) with synchronized ujjayi pranayama and asana movements. 

Iyengar yoga concentrates on realigning the spine and the chakras, it’s another Hatha based practice. Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga is practiced in a 105 degree Fahrenheit room in order to cleanse the body of toxins and loosen up the muscles. Ashtanga and power yoga can be fast paced and require the ability to transition quickly from one position to the next. These practices are the most physically demanding yoga practices. Yoga has been shown to have numerous health benefits, both mentally and physically.

Ashtanga Vinyasa is an asana based yoga practice that stresses daily Vinyasa flow practice, ujjayi breathing, which is breathing from the core, and the practice of uddiyana bandha. The benefit of Ashtanga yoga is that it can be practiced at any pace so those looking for a vigorous workout can go for a long routine, filled with complex poses and quick transitions, whereas someone looking for a more meditative practice can go through the motions slowly, with smooth transitions, concentrating on the breathing. The benefits of Ashtanga include increased flexibility and increased overall strength. 

Power yoga is a modern practice focused on high intensity physical work outs with fast paced transitions and complicated positions. Power yoga is not for the novice practitioner. Following in the footsteps of Ashtanga, power yoga includes the Vinyasa flow practice, ujjayi breathing and many similar poses. The difference between Ashtanga and power yoga is that power yoga is meant to be more of a work out or exercise class than a traditional practice, focusing on strength building and increased flexibility. Power yoga is great for those looking to increase their flexibility, decrease chronic pain and improve their physical health.

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