More yoga, yoga, yoga

[avanderland]

I looked through the yoga threads, but I couldn't really find the information that I was looking for.

In my area, we have three yoga studios: Bikram studio, Kundalini studio, and Hatha or Vinyasa (same studio.)

And I'm like wait what??? Haha. The prices are all comparative, and they all offer low-price first class, but I have no IDEA what the differences are. I know that Bikram is heated, but it's also 90 minutes long! Do you haev time to fit that in daily?

More importantly (and what I could not find in the threads) how do these all compare to each other? ARe they complimentary? Is one better for one type of thing and another better for something else? Who has done several and how do they compare? I would love to hear your opinions!

[raven]

Well, it's great that you have a number of different styles to choose from. You should be able to find detailed information about these styles online. There is also a yoga forum at www.yoga.com where you can get a lot of info and feedback.

I personally do Bikram and I find the heated room really helps me stretch more thoroughly and safely. I also do hatha and vinyasa yoga at the gym. Bikram consists of a fixed series of 26 poses and they're designed to build upon one another so that each posture prepares you for the next. The classes are always the same and the instructors are required to follow the exact series, which is copyrighted. I suggest you try it a few times to see whether this type of yoga is for you. It might be challenging the first time but you will adapt to the heat after a few sessions. It's ok to sit some poses out if you need to but try to stay in the room for the entire class.

Hatha yoga is traditional yoga and vinyasa is faster moving and is known as "flow" yoga. Kundalini yoga focuses on developing a certain type of energy in your body which moves up the spine and you'd want to be careful to have a competent instructor to guide you. These are very simplistic explanations and you may want to ask questions of the instructors at the schools in your area or seek the advice of experienced practitioners online.

I don't know which you'd prefer and, if you have the time and money, you can practice one or all three of these styles. You may want to focus on one for awhile before trying other styles.

Let us know how your classes go.

Suzy

[avanderland]

Thanks! I have done a lot of research online about them, both now and in the past when trying to get a DVD, but it is hard for me to really ENVISION the differences, since I have never participated before. This is the one time a gym might be useful (I don't go to gyms much) because I could try them out for free, haha.

For example, I read about Vinyasa but I could not really envision what "flow" means because I have never done yoga really. There are lots of descriptions about their theoretical differences, like kundalini and energy, but not always about poses. Or vice versa!! I hear a lot about individual programs focus, but not what makes each unique necessarily.

I do have money to go to some, but not enough to really try each one FULLY out to decide, so I'm glad to get personalized feedback. Thanks, and I'll definitey check out that forum later today!

[Raw Yogini]

How physically active are you now? Vinyasa is pretty challenging if you don't have a lot of upper body strength. Kundalini is usually kind of aerobic. I think for a lot of people starting out w/ Hatha is a great way to learn breathing w/ movement and the names and basics of different yoga poses. It's a nice way to get the basics and feel comfortable trying other types. Good luck! I think you'll LOVE yoga! Keep us posted.

[avanderland]

How physically active are you now? Vinyasa is pretty challenging if you don't have a lot of upper body strength. Kundalini is usually kind of aerobic. I think for a lot of people starting out w/ Hatha is a great way to learn breathing w/ movement and the names and basics of different yoga poses. It's a nice way to get the basics and feel comfortable trying other types. Good luck! I think you'll LOVE yoga! Keep us posted.

Thank you! This is just the type of stuff I wanted to know... Also, I'm okay active. I'm on my feet all day, but I don't do intense workouts at the gym. When I was going to the gym, I did very well, but it's been about six months because I felt AWFUL until I went RAW :) Since I'm only just getting back into the swing, I'll check out the Hatha! The place that does Hatha yoga has competitive prices and a TON of time slots available, so I think I'll check it out soon!!

[Raw Yogini]

Great keep us updated! I'm sure you'll love it!

[oai]

How physically active are you now? Vinyasa is pretty challenging if you don't have a lot of upper body strength.

wha... that explains a lot! I was doing vinyasa this morning and kept having to go on my knees first in b/wn different poses. Great post! Thank you for the info! :D

[Aleesha Sattva]

i do hatha and LOVE it. i did it before i began i started releasing weight... i find it very gentle and yet it can also be challenging!

[carolg]

I do hatha and love it. This only kind I have tried so far.

Raven, thanks for explanation of different kinds of yoga.

carolg

[Hannah]

Hey there - yoga is fantastic and super complimentary to a raw foods lifestyle!

I've done hatha, vinyasa and bikram yoga - I started with bikram yoga, then went to ashtanga (like vinyasa) and ultimately returned to bikram yoga. Bikram Yoga is great for the spine and the knees - the series was designed particularly to heal those. Because it was designed to heal the spine, it is also very beneficial for the central nervous system - I've heard and witnessed many transformations (physical, mental, emotional) of people who practice Bikram Yoga ... I'd suggest giving it a go as it is a great cardiovascular workout as well as a great way to stretch and build strength. Maybe try it 2-3 times a week for a month and see how you like it (because of the heat factor and learning a new way of moving your body, it can take some time to see how it affects you) - maybe give them each a month and see which you like best ...

I encourage everyone I know to try bikram yoga, it has changed my life!
hope that helps!
Hannah

[theresaann]

If I can share, Vinyasa flow in a heated room-frickin' amazing workout in body, mind and spirit!

I've been doing vinyasa classes only 2-3 times a week in my area for about 10 weeks and I am getting in better shape in that time than I have in 23 years (on and off) of cardio and wts, even when I was doing them 5 times a week!

Plus I feel SO much more balanced, strong in my core (even my stomach at 43 post two kids is actually getting a six pack-from YOGA no less), and my alignment is straight-my posture is tall even without trying.

If someone would've told me this would happen before I tried this yoga I would not have believed it. I am completely a convert.

I have done Bikram many times in the past and while the detox is FABULOUS, I really like the combination of benefits from the vinyasa better-still am pouring sweat because they heat the room, plus incredible core strengthening. I love this so much-just had to share!

[greenfeline]

I just signed up at a studio and have taken three classes in the past 4 days and I feel marvelous!!! I was taking a class at the university where I work, but it is only an hour long and not as intense as the studio classes. An hour and a half sounds like a lot, but with warming up and savasana it is perfect. I have done hatha and vinyasa flow so far and I love both! Just think about how much time we waste watching tv (my experience). Why would you watch tv when you can get total being transformation in an hour and a half!

[avanderland]

Thanks for all the tips guys! I ended up trying Bikram because it's the one with the best times and the one that intrigued my boyfriend (I'm trying to get him more involved in healthy activities.)

We love it! I definitely see what all the fuss is about! It's the most intense workout I've ever done (including kickboxing) and yet refreshes and realigns me at the same time. We plan to go 2x/week. I know I should go 3, but it's hard with night classes. In the summer, I might up it to 3x/week!!

[tiffanybiffanypiffany]

yoga is for squares.

actually my aunt does yoga, but she also thinks that if i wear a rock around my neck it will take my cold away.

so ya know..