Different Types of Yoga

A Complete Guide

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The word “yoga” means “union”. Yoga aligns the mind with the body. The benefits of yoga are both physical and emotional. Yoga is a practice that has existed since ancient times. The relevance of yoga has never got lost. Yoga helps achieve perfect mind and body alignment. Therefore, even today, yoga is necessary for healthy and wholesome living. Different types of yoga practice focus on a common goal: overall well-being and physical health.

You can practice types of yoga in the comfort of your home and reap all its benefits. The best part about yoga is that you need just a mat and half an hour every day to get started on this path.

These days, yoga forms have become a part of our lives. Yoga is a therapeutic tool to treat physical and mental problems. Therefore, it is not right to assume that yoga is for a particular religion or community.

If you search online, you can find different types of yoga that target specific health issues. For example, therapy yoga includes yoga for back pain, yoga to reduce belly fat, yoga asana for weight loss, and even weight gain. These are a set of physical postures and breathing exercises that target the problem holistically and eradicate the issues.

Benefits of Yoga

  • A sustained practise results in weight loss
  • Improved blood circulation, which improves skin quality and texture
  • Delays overall ageing and is therapeutic by nature
  • Improves physical stamina
  • Good for gut health and improved digestion
  • Enhances fertility and reproductive health
  • Improves sleep cycle
  • It makes you calm and happy
  • Improves concentration
  • Reduces stress
  • Improves immunity
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Hatha Yoga

The Sanskrit word Hatha means “force.” Therefore, hatha yoga restores the balance of the body. This type of yoga works on the harmony between the chakras and energy points. The chakras are vortexes of energy or the points in our body where the energy lies concentrated. They are present in seven different locations in the body and connect to specific organs and glands.

Hatha yoga comprises many physical postures and positions that balance the body and mind. Different types of yoga by various schools and teachers have certain fundamental commonalities.

Research shows that Hatha yoga helps us destress, stay physically fit and agile, and make us look younger. In addition, Hatha yoga purifies and heals our system. Also, sustained practice leads to weight loss and toned muscles.

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Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a direct offshoot of sage Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Famous as the yoga form for weight loss, the ashtanga word is a derivative of the word eight in Sanskrit.

Ashtanga yoga has eight pillars: Principles, personal discipline, asana and postures, pranayama, withdrawal, concentration, meditation and salvation.  

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