Hatha Yoga There are many schools of Hatha Yoga, and many approaches to teaching. It is not unusual for teachers themselves to study in various schools and to blend techniques to create their own approaches. Differences among the schools are usually about emphasis: One may focus on strict alignment of the body, another on coordination of breath and movement; one may focus on holding each posture for a period of time, another on the flow (vinyasa) from one posture to another. A new yoga student may want to try classes in different styles and with different teachers to find those that best match his or her needs. Many of the schools of Hatha Yoga popular today in the West can trace their roots to the Indian Sanskrit scholar and teacher Krishnamacharya (1888-1989), several of whose pupils have themselves become prominent teachers. Among the most popular and influential in the West are: B.K.S. Iyengar, who founded Iyengar yoga; T.K.V. Desikachar (Krishnamacharya's son), who carries on the tradition, known as Viniyoga, that he learned from his father; and Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, who developed Ashtanga Yoga. There are, however, many popular schools of yoga that may be most suitable for the beginner student. We have provided a comprehensive list of yoga styles and approaches to help you find what you are looking for. Ashtanga Yoga Ashtanga Yoga (often also called Power Yoga) was first developed by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois and is an aerobic, muscle-shaping, mind-sculpting, physically demanding workout. Students move through a series of flows, moving from one posture to another to build strength, flexibility, and stamina. Room temperatures are often set high to promote detoxification through increased perspiration. Ashtanga often appeals to athletes and those who enjoy high-energy exercise. Iyengar Yoga Iyengar yoga emphasizes posture and the development of balance and alignment. To support students' explorations of postures, Iyengar yoga makes use of a wide variety of props: belts, blocks, pillows, and balls. Iyengar is one of the most widely practiced yoga techniques in the West. It was developed in India by B.K.S. Iyengar and responds to individuals with varying limitations and capacities for accomplishing postures. Iyengar Yoga is noted for great attention to detail and the precise alignment of postures. Ishta Yoga One of the styles of yoga taught at Temple Byron is called ISHTA yoga. Ishta has a to fold meaning an acronym that stands for Integrated Sciences of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda and a Sanskrit name Ishta means “Individual”.
Ishta was developed by Mani Finger (Kavi Yogiraj), Mani in Sanskrit means “Light”, at the young age of four Mani met Ghandi, through a meeting with his parents in South Africa, and Ghandi approached the young Mani and patted him on the head and said, “He will be a teacher and philosopher”. Mani and his son Alan Finger firstly derived the Ishta philosophy in their native land South Africa, by linking together teachings transmitted to them by some of this centuries leading yoga teacher’s, including Paramahansa Yogananda (who first initiated Mani into kriya yoga), Swami Venkatesananda of the Sivananda lineage, Swami Nishraisananda (who showed them the links between spiritual yogic concepts and modern science), and Tantric Master Bharati (who intiated them into tantra and encouraged them to systematize ISHTA yoga) and a desire to relate all these teachings back to the individual quest for self-awareness, self-knowledge and healing. Key notes to Ishta Yoga
Hatha, hatha from ha/tha or in Sanskrit sun/moon. Hatha yoga is one of the core practices of ISHTA yoga. Hatha postures create strength, increase flexibility, and realign the body. In Ishta we combine three different hatha styles, the style of Iyengar for alignment, Phatabi Joi’s ashatanga yoga; to build heat and open the body and Desikachar’s Viniyoga; to emphasize the breath in each pose “Breath is central to yoga because it is central to life….and yoga is about life” T.Krishnamacharya Tantra, from the root words tanoti (expansion) and trayati (liberation). Tantra involves expanding or extending oneself beyond boundaries and limits in order to feel a state of complete liberation. Most important tantra is the belief that our essential nature is divine, perfect “as it is”, part of the universal consciousness and filled with bliss ( Samadhi). Once we get used to feeling that bliss in our yoga practice, that awareness will permeate every moment of our living being.
In the ISHTA practice we focus on mediation and pranayama, as our primary tools. Ayurveda is the ancient Indian science of healing. Ayur means”life” and Veda means “science”. It is the yoga of rebalancing your current condition (vikriti) to its unique harmonious constitution (prakriti). Ayurveda emphasizes the use of mind, body and spirit to prevent and fight diseases. Thus it strives to restore the innate harmony of the individual. The main thrust of Ayurveda is to synchronize and coordinate the various bodily functions by identifying the imbalance in the body. The underlying principle is that if the roots are watered well, the plant will flourish. Sleep, diet, internal cleansing and lifestyle are given as much or perhaps more importance than herbs and potions. The application of Ayurveda in the ISHTA practice encourages truthful self-exploration, honest awareness of our current circumstances, their impact on us from a physical, emotional and energetic standpoint, and an understanding of how best to accept and heal ourselves and our lives.
One of Pantanjali sutras describing the process of yoga and Ayurveda
“te prati-prasava heyah suksmah”. When these primal causes of suffering exist in a subtle yet potential form, they are to be reduced, and then destroyed by the process of involution, returning them to their true source, the True Self. Dru Yoga Dru Yoga has its roots in hatha yoga, and includes classical yoga postures (asanas), pranayama (the science of breath) mudras (hand gestures), positive affirmations, empowering visualisations and powerful sequences performed in a flowing and dynamic style. Dru Yoga classes are tailored to the level of the individuals within the class and usually contain Energy Block Release Sequences (EBRs), graceful flowing yoga sequences, pranayama, relaxation and Dru Meditation.
Joints are kept relaxed and soft during movement (as in tai chi). This creates flexibility and a free flow of subtle energy.
Energy Block Release sequences are easy-to-practise, flowing movements that help to release tension physically, mentally and emotionally.
In Dru Yoga all movements originate from the spine because a flexible, healthy spine supports your entire yoga practice.
The spinal wave and spinal twist are core features of Dru, enhancing spinal health and vitality.
A deep undertanding of core stability is a major focus.
Dru Yoga works to balance the chakras (energy centres of the body) and access the powerful energy of the heart. Within the flow of movement, Dru Yoga creates powerful moments of stillness. Viniyoga Yoga Viniyoga is not so much a name of a yoga style as it is a methodology for developing a personal practice using asanas, pranayama, meditation, ritual, and prayer. Viniyoga, which was developed by Krishnamacharya and is carried on by his son, T.K.V. Desikachar, respects individual needs and capabilities. Key characteristics of the asana practice are the careful integration of the flow of breath with movement of the spine and thoughtful sequencing of asanas. Function is stressed over form. Restorative Yoga This is a gentle, calming, therapeutic kind of yoga that uses props to support the body to deepen the benefits of the poses. It is a soothing and nurturing practice that promotes the effects of conscious relaxation. |