Styles of Yoga
Choosing a studio to practice at starts with finding the style of yoga that's right for you. Here are some of the styles of yoga you can practice in Rochester.
Anusara
A style of yoga started by John Friend in 1997. It is based on Hatha yoga principles and incorporated Hindu teachings into the practice. The practice can be broadly categorized into three parts (the Three A's): Attitude, Alignment, and Action. Attitude is the "power of the heart as the force behind every action or expression in an asana." Alignment is the "mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected. Action is related to the body. It is the "natural flow of energy in the body, which provides both stability and joyful freedom." >>More Info
Ashtanga
A system of yoga brought to the west through the teachings Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) in the 1970's. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with six progressive series of postures that increase with difficulty —a process producing 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. >> More Info
Bikram
Founded in 1972, this style includes a sequence of 26 postures selected from Hatha Yoga by Bikram Choudhury, practiced in a room heated to 105F. The sequenced postures systematically work every part of the body, to give the internal organs, veins, ligaments, and muscles what they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function. Each component takes care of something different in the body, and yet they all work together synergistically, contributing to the success of every other one, and extending its benefits. >>More Info
Hatha
A system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a Hindu sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Swatmarama introduced his system as preparatory stage of physical purification that the body practices for higher meditation or Yoga. It is based on asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques). Hatha Yoga became popular in the west beginning in the second half of the 20th century, and is often referred to simply as "Yoga" in the context of health and physical exercise. >>More Info
Iyengar
A system of yoga developed by BKS Iyengar in the 1970's, based on Hatha Yoga. It focuses on correct body alignment with attention to the different weaknesses and strengths people experience in their bodies. Poses (especially standing postures) are typically held longer than in other schools of yoga, so practitioners can pay close attention to muscular and skeletal alignment. Props are used to help the body into the correct positions. Props include wooden blocks, chairs, blankets and belts. The practice also includes a pranayama, or breath, component. >>More Info
Kripalu
A style of yoga developed by Amrit Desai in the 1970’s. The three stages of Kripalu yoga include: willful practice (a focus on alignment, breath, and the presence of consciousness); willful surrender (a conscious holding of the postures, deepening concentration and focus of internal thoughts and emotions); and meditation in motion (performing postures and movements to release physical and mental tensions and enter deep meditation). >>Learn More
Kundalini
A style of yoga brought to the west by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. It incorporates postures, dynamic breathing techniques, and chanting and meditating on mantras such as "Sat Nam" (meaning "I am truth"). Practitioners concentrate on awakening the energy at the base of the spine and drawing it upward through each of the seven chakras. >>Learn More
Power Yoga
A Westernized version of Ashtanga Yoga popularized by Bender Birch in 1995. It includes a challenging and disciplined series of poses designed to create heat and energy flow.
TriYoga
A style of yoga developed by Kali Ray in 1980. It includes a series of flowing, dancelike movements sequenced in seven distinct levels, taught in a meditative environment. The first level is a slow, relaxing, and rejuvenating practice. The class, often accompanied by music, focuses on natural alignment and breath within the flow, and ends with meditation. >>Learn More
Vinyasa
Vinyasa-style yoga combines a series of flowing postures with rhythmic breathing. Often associated with Power Yoga, Ashtanga and other practices that link breathe to movement.
Anusara
A style of yoga started by John Friend in 1997. It is based on Hatha yoga principles and incorporated Hindu teachings into the practice. The practice can be broadly categorized into three parts (the Three A's): Attitude, Alignment, and Action. Attitude is the "power of the heart as the force behind every action or expression in an asana." Alignment is the "mindful awareness of how various parts of ourselves are integrated and interconnected. Action is related to the body. It is the "natural flow of energy in the body, which provides both stability and joyful freedom." >>More Info
Ashtanga
A system of yoga brought to the west through the teachings Sri K. Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) in the 1970's. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with six progressive series of postures that increase with difficulty —a process producing 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. >> More Info
Bikram
Founded in 1972, this style includes a sequence of 26 postures selected from Hatha Yoga by Bikram Choudhury, practiced in a room heated to 105F. The sequenced postures systematically work every part of the body, to give the internal organs, veins, ligaments, and muscles what they need to maintain optimum health and maximum function. Each component takes care of something different in the body, and yet they all work together synergistically, contributing to the success of every other one, and extending its benefits. >>More Info
Hatha
A system of yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a Hindu sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Swatmarama introduced his system as preparatory stage of physical purification that the body practices for higher meditation or Yoga. It is based on asanas (postures) and pranayama (breathing techniques). Hatha Yoga became popular in the west beginning in the second half of the 20th century, and is often referred to simply as "Yoga" in the context of health and physical exercise. >>More Info
Iyengar
A system of yoga developed by BKS Iyengar in the 1970's, based on Hatha Yoga. It focuses on correct body alignment with attention to the different weaknesses and strengths people experience in their bodies. Poses (especially standing postures) are typically held longer than in other schools of yoga, so practitioners can pay close attention to muscular and skeletal alignment. Props are used to help the body into the correct positions. Props include wooden blocks, chairs, blankets and belts. The practice also includes a pranayama, or breath, component. >>More Info
Kripalu
A style of yoga developed by Amrit Desai in the 1970’s. The three stages of Kripalu yoga include: willful practice (a focus on alignment, breath, and the presence of consciousness); willful surrender (a conscious holding of the postures, deepening concentration and focus of internal thoughts and emotions); and meditation in motion (performing postures and movements to release physical and mental tensions and enter deep meditation). >>Learn More
Kundalini
A style of yoga brought to the west by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. It incorporates postures, dynamic breathing techniques, and chanting and meditating on mantras such as "Sat Nam" (meaning "I am truth"). Practitioners concentrate on awakening the energy at the base of the spine and drawing it upward through each of the seven chakras. >>Learn More
Power Yoga
A Westernized version of Ashtanga Yoga popularized by Bender Birch in 1995. It includes a challenging and disciplined series of poses designed to create heat and energy flow.
TriYoga
A style of yoga developed by Kali Ray in 1980. It includes a series of flowing, dancelike movements sequenced in seven distinct levels, taught in a meditative environment. The first level is a slow, relaxing, and rejuvenating practice. The class, often accompanied by music, focuses on natural alignment and breath within the flow, and ends with meditation. >>Learn More
Vinyasa
Vinyasa-style yoga combines a series of flowing postures with rhythmic breathing. Often associated with Power Yoga, Ashtanga and other practices that link breathe to movement.
