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April / May 2006
THE MIND, BODY, MOUTH CONNECTION
by Bob Wallace
YOGA WHAT?
by Sheri Kauhausen
Peace Train
by Cat Stevens /Yusuf Islam
BE YOUR OWN HERBAL EXPERT Part 5 of 7
by Susun S. Weed
ON THE ROAD TO PROFESSIONAL RECOGNITION
the BCAOA Story
By Pat Antoniak RN.BN.RA.Ag Reg.
BASIC G-JO PRESSURE POINTS
By Michael Blate
Heart to Heart
by Barbara Davies, ND
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YOGA WHAT?
The Many Faces of Yoga
Do you ever feel daunted by all the different style of Yoga there are? I am continually asked if I teach Hatha Yoga, and it has become clear to me that many people don’t understand what Hatha Yoga is.
by Sheri Kauhausen
The combination of asana, pranayama and relaxation (savasana), constitute Hatha Yoga, which is the most recognized form or Yoga. So for anyone practicing a Yoga which involves these three components, you are doing Hatha Yoga. The question isn’t whether one teaches or practices Hatha Yoga, the question rather, is what style of Hatha Yoga does one teach or practice?
Since Yoga has ventured into the West, many different schools or styles of Hatha Yoga have erupted. As we Westerners continue to search for.....whatever it is we are searching for, the pot of Hatha Yoga styles continues to grow. There are many more than what I have listed, but these are the most
prominent teachings of Hatha Yoga that one hears most frequently.
No one style is superior to another. In fact, you will find a lot of Hatha Yoga instructors blend different influences into what they teach. The style that you gravitate to will simply be a matter of preference. You may even find more than one style that you like. Some styles of Hatha Yoga are drastically
different than some, while others contain slightly different nuances than others.
Ananda Yoga
Based on the teachings of Paramhansa Yogananda, who passed away in 1952, this discipline is now carried on by Swami Kriyananda, who in 1948, began teaching gentle postures and breathing techniques, along with silent,
positive affirmations, to harmonize body, mind and emotions, along with the expansion of self awareness.
Anusara Yoga
Developed by John Friend, this Yoga means “following your heart”. The abilities and limitations of each student are respected and honored deeply, as outer and inner body alignment are explored.
Astanga Yoga
Based on the teachings of Sri K Pattabhi Jois and formalized in the 1930’s, it is a physically demanding continuous flow of a sequence of poses focusing on strength, flexibility and the building of heat within the body. It consists of 6 asana series, performed in vinyasa (flowing) style, each becoming
progressively more challenging, and involves jumping as a mode to move from one posture to the next posture. Powerful Ujjayi (Victorious) breathing connects the movement with the breath.
Birkram Yoga
Based on the teachings of Bikram Choudury, it is based on 26 poses
practiced in the same sequential order in a heated room of 39 degrees Celcius (100 degrees Fahrenheit), while using a strong Kapalabhati Breath (Breath of Fire). It is
designed to cleanse and heal the body from the inside out.
Classical (Traditional) Yoga
A slow, gentle form of postures and breath that is the base of most other styles of Hatha Yoga.
Dru Yoga
Sequences of body movement and mudras (hand movements) activate the subtle energy body to unblock energy through the heart center.
Flow Yoga
Not as demanding as Power Yoga, yet warming nonetheless, this Yoga connects movement through a series of postures with the breath.
Integral Yoga
Making its debut at the Woodstock Festival in 1969, it is based on the teachings of Sri Swami Satchidananda in 1953. This method combines postures, breath, relaxation, meditation, devotion,
service and chanting.
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ISHTA (Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantric & Ayurveda) Yoga
Based on the teachings of Mani Finger and his son Alan Finger this involves a blend of Astanga, Flow, Iyengar, Kriya and Trantric styles of Yoga incorporating postures, breath and meditation.
Iyengar Yoga
Based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar who was born in India in 1918, it is a practice that focuses on precise physical alignment of postures, often incorporating props such as blocks, bolsters and belts to facilitate correct body placement. Poses are often held for a longer time than in most other styles of Yoga. Pranayama
(breathing techniques) are learned after mastery of the postures.
Jivamukti Yoga
Based on the teachings of David Life and Sharon Gannon this is a very challenging form of Yoga which truly does look like art. Sanskrit chanting, readings, references to scriptural texts, music, asana, and pranayama are all woven around a particular class theme.
Kripalu Yoga
Based on the teachings of Kripalvananda and his disciple Yogi Amrit Desai, this is a gentle Yoga. Taught in three stages, breath and postures are explored in the first stage. Stage two transitions into postures being held for longer periods. In stage three,
meditation is introduced and the movements become a ‘meditation in motion’ to release emotional and spiritual blockages.
Kryia Yoga
Used as the pathway to wisdom incorporating asana, breath,
meditation and mantra.
Kundalini Yoga
Based on the teachings of Yogi Bhajan and introduced to the West in 1969, it is the practice of awakening the latent psychic nerve-force which lays at the base of the spine and channeling it up through the chakras. Focus is more on chanting, breathing and meditation, but also consists of dynamic postures.
Power Yoga
Often used as an alternative name to Astanga Yoga, but does not necessarily follow the same sequences.
Restorative Yoga
Using props to support the body in poses, this is a gentle and calming style of Yoga. Poses are held for a period of time, while the body is completely relaxed with the help of the props.
Sivananda Yoga
Based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda, born in South India in 1887, this style of Yoga was introduced to the west in the 1950's by his disciple Swami Vishnu Devananda and is one of the largest schools of Yoga in the world. This method is based on 12 key postures, the Sun Salutations, breathing and relaxation. Meditation and chanting may also be included. Diet and nutrition is also a component.
Svaroopa Yoga
Developed by Rama Berch, this Yoga uses familiar postures to emphasize opening the spine.
Tantric Yoga
Visualization, chanting, asana, and breathing techniques are used to stimulate sensual spirituality.
Viniyoga Yoga
Based on the teachings of Sri Krishnamacharya and continued on by his son T.K.V. Desikachar, this style is based on a practice of using asana, pranayama, meditation, ritual and prayer with a
philosophy of emphasizing that ‘the practice of Yoga must be adapted to the individual, and not the individual to Yoga’. This is performed vinyasa (flowing) style, where breath is more
significant than alignment.
Whether you are practicing Hatha Yoga or not, you may also be practicing another tradition of Yoga. These Yogas are not part of the Hatha Yoga system, but are Yogas.
BHAKTI Yoga
The practice of devotion to a preferred deity through worship, prayer, chanting and singing.
JNANA Yoga
The intellectual path of knowledge and wisdom.
KARMA Yoga
The spiritual path and selfless service to others with no expectation of reward.
MANTRA Yoga
The practice of rhythmic repetition of voice or sound (japa).
RAJA Yoga
The practice of meditation and self realization to still the mind, with adherence to the eight "limbs" of Yoga as outlined by Patanjali in The Yoga Sutras. Hatha Yoga is included as one of the limbs in Raja Yoga.
YANTRA Yoga The practice of visualization.
SHERI KAUHAUSEN is the owner of INTO Yoga, a company offering on-site Yoga, pilates and other health and healing modalities in the office place and in various community centers around the Lower Mainland. Sheri is a certified Hatha Yoga teacher and has been involved with Yoga for over 30 years. Sheri can be reached at:
604-421-9872
intoyoga@yahoo.com
www.intoyoga.ca
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