Yoga/Stretch

Yoga / Stretch

Yoga is one of the only practices you can do on a regular basis that works to create physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual balance. 

ELEMENT 8.4: YOGA/STRETCH

“Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.”
–The Bhagavad Gita

YOUR YOGA/STRETCH

Since there are many different varieties of yoga, you’ll need to find the one that feels right to you. Not all yoga involves heated rooms and intense movement; hatha yoga and yin yoga, for example, focus on stretching, alignment, and deep relaxation. In this stage, you’ll identify the type of yoga that best balances out your personality and energy levels.

When it comes to holistic physicality, nothing compares to yoga, an ancient wellness practice that is an astonishing 5,000 years old. This type of mindful exercise is one of the very best ways for you to develop your strength on every level—physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual.

Science has shown that yoga can help us:

  • Increase flexibility, both physically and mentally
  • Increase muscle strength and tone
  • Improve respiration, energy, and vitality
  • Maintain a balanced metabolism
  • Lose weight
  • Improve circulatory health
  • Protect our bodies from injury
  • Help us heal from injury
  • Reduce stress
  • Relax the mind and improve mental clarity
  • Enhance emotional stability
  • Allow for emotional release
  • Sharpen focus and concentration

There are many different styles of yoga to choose from. When choosing the type that will work best for you, consider selecting one that “balances out” your natural state of being.

For example, if you are naturally slow-moving and relaxed, an energetic style of yoga may benefit you the most. If you are naturally hyperactive—both physically and mentally—a more soothing style of yoga may feel more beneficial.

  1. Hatha yoga
    The sanskrit term “hatha” refers to yoga that is grounded in physical postures. This body-based yoga is the most popular with beginners since these classes are usually paced more slowly than other styles of yoga. Hatha classes join deep breathing with gentle exercises. You probably won’t work up a sweat in a hatha yoga class, but you will leave the class feeling more centred and relaxed.

  2. Iyengar yoga
    Iyengar yoga focuses on alignment as well as detailed and precise movements. In an Iyengar class, students perform a variety of postures while controlling their breath. Generally, poses are held for a long time while students adjust the small nuances of their poses. Iyengar relies heavily on props to help students perfect their form and go deeper into poses in a safe manner. Although you won’t move around vigorously in an Iyengar class, you will definitely get a workout and feel incredibly open and relaxed afterwards. This style is beneficial for individuals who have physical injuries and need to work slowly and methodically.

  3. Kundalini yoga
    Kundalini yoga is a practice that is equal parts spiritual and physical. This style is all about releasing the energy that lies at the base of your spine. These classes work your core and breath with fast-moving, invigorating postures and breathing exercises. Kundalini yoga can be pretty intense and often involves chanting, mantra, and meditation.

  4. Ashtanga yoga
    Ashtanga yoga involves executing a physically demanding sequence of postures, so this style of yoga may not be suitable for beginners. Ashtanga is a rigorous practice that follows a specific sequence of movement and links every movement to a breath. In ashtanga yoga, practitioners always perform the exact same poses in the exact same order. This is a sweaty and physically demanding practice that can benefit naturally passive or sedentary people.

  5. Vinyasa yoga
    Vinyasa is the most athletic style of yoga. In vinyasa classes, movement is coordinated with breath as students flow from one pose to another. Vinyasa classes are known for being movement-intensive. Although vinyasa yoga is similar to ashtanga yoga, no two vinyasa classes are the same. If you hate routine and love to test physical limits, Vinyasa may be the style of yoga for you.

  6. Bikram yoga
    If you are looking to sweat in a yoga class, you’ll enjoy Bikram yoga. Bikram yoga involves performing a set sequence of poses in a sauna-like room, which is typically heated to 40 degrees Celsius (105 degrees Fahrenheit). The sequence includes a series of 26 basic postures, which is performed twice. As in ashtanga yoga, a Bikram yoga class always follows the same sequence. Because of the heat in the class, your body releases a great deal of toxins through sweating.

  7. Yin yoga
    Yin is a slow-paced style of yoga involving seated or prone postures that are held for longer periods of time, anywhere from 45 seconds to two minutes. The classes are relaxed, since gravity does most of the work in allowing your body to stretch and release tension. Yin is also a meditative yoga practice that calms the mind and creates a sense of inner peace. This style of yoga is perfect for people who tend to be stressed or hyperactive.

  8. Restorative yoga
    Restorative yoga focuses on helping you wind down and relax your mind. At its core, restorative yoga focuses on body relaxation. In these classes, you’ll spend more time in fewer postures. Many of the poses are modified to be gentler and more relaxing for you. As in Iyengar yoga, students use props such as blankets, bolsters, and eye pillows, which help them sink deeper into relaxation. Restorative yoga also clears and calms the mind.

  9. Anusara yoga
    Anusara is a modern-day version of hatha yoga that focuses on alignment and the mind-body-heart connection. Anusara yoga is known for its emphasis on heart opening. Based on the belief that we are all filled with an intrinsic goodness, anusara seeks to use the physical practice of yoga to help students open their hearts, experience grace, and let their inner goodness shine.

  10. Jivamukti yoga
    Jivamukti yoga is a vinyasa-style class infused with Hindu spiritual teachings. Class usually opens with a series of chants, followed by a series of poses that align with the five tenets of Jivamukti yoga and philosophy. At its core, this style emphasises our connection to the Earth. Most Jivamukti devotees follow a vegetarian diet.
Back to Element 8.3: Movement Unrestricted
Go to Element 8.5: Ageless Play

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