Yoga Choice

Yoga has become an increasingly popular phenomenon that has slowly crept into the foreground. It’s great to set aside as little as an hour a week to empty your mind, relax and focus on nothing but the present. You meditate back to your inner being while also stretching and toning more muscles than you ever knew you had.

But when deciding to get to know your inner core you are suddenly faced with the Starbucks phenomenon. i.e. All you want is a coffee and you are faced with a choice between latte, cappuccino, americana, with sugar, cinammon, soya milk, semi-skimmed, full, whipped cream, small, tall, grande, ginormous... oh the choices. You would be forgiven for being similarly befuzzled by modern day Yoga choices. So here's a little rundown for those who wouldn't know their double espresso from their moccacino.

Ashtanga Yoga is a method of yoga that involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of postures. This produces intense internal heat and a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. The result is improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind.

Hatha Yoga is thought to be the foundation for all yoga. It is the yoga of movement and includes Prananyama (breathing and meditation). For some Hatha is the true meaning of yoga and many styles have developed from its fundamental principals and familiar poses. The emphasis is always about understanding the pose and working through it at your own pace.

Sivananda Yoga is a unique approach to classical yoga. It simplifies the yoga method making it compatible with a modern lifestyle. Emphasis is given to the internal dynamics, in particular the bandhas (energetic dynamic) and impact on the breath. This, along with body synchronisation and fluidity of movement is an approach shared by Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. The breath is used as a tool for entering and leaving the postures, which allows both the body and mind to relax and open. Sivananda Yoga helps improve flexibility and strength and attain a calm and focused mind.