We have already discussed about Origination of Yoga, Eight Limbs of Yoga and brief on Patanjali and Yoga Sutra.

In Origination of Yoga, we have further discussed about the Types of Yoga. Let’s now go further deep down and understand the Styles of Yoga.

Different styles of Yoga are basically developed by the famous teachers who have dedicated their lives in teaching and practising Yoga.

There are many styles of Yoga, however all the styles share the common lineage.You would be surprised to know that the founders of three famous styles : Astanga, Iyengar and Vinyasa were taught by the same famous Yoga teacher at the Mysore Palace in India: Krishnamacharya.

Source:https://kristinskotnesvikjord.files.wordpress.com/2013/12/makaranda-ii.jpg

Other styles : Integral and Sivananda, were created by disciples of the famous guru Sivananda.

Here is a brief on the different styles:

Ananda Yoga

Source:https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/d/db/Swami-kriyananda-pronam2.jpg

It is a type of Hatha Yoga established by Kriyananda and is based on his Kriya (Action) Yoga teachings.

It focused on inner awareness and energy control. It uses both asana (pose) and pranayama (breath control) to awaken and experience and control the energy (prana).It is more of an inward experience rather than an athletic practice.

Anusara Yoga

It means following your heart. This style was developed by John Friend

Source: “JohnFriendCopenhagen2010” by Per Berséus (Salsero) – Own work.

Licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:JohnFriendCopenhagen2010.jpg#/media/File:JohnFriendCopenhagen2010.jpg

Bikram Yoga

Source: “Bikram Choudhury” by yanivnord – book signing.

Licensed under CC BY 2.0 via Commons – https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Bikram_Choudhury.jpg#/media/File:Bikram_Choudhury.jpg

A Yoga system developed by Bikram Choudhury with synthesis from traditional Yoga techniques. It consists of 26 postures including two breathing exercise and done at a temperature of 40 °C (104 °F) with a humidity of 40%.

Asthanga Vinyasa Yoga

Source: Flickr : https://www.flickr.com/photos/theyogashala/5641102723/sizes/l

K. Pattabhi Jois, is considered to be the yogi who made Asthanga yoga popular.He established Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India in 1948.

It is named after the eight limbs of yoga mentioned in the Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.
Power Yoga or Vinyasa Yoga are the common terms used to refer to any type of aerobic exercise derived from Ashtanga Yoga.

Meaning of Vinyasa in words of Pattabhi “Vinyasa means ‘breathing system.’ Without vinyasa, don’t do asana. When vinyasa is perfect, the mind is under control.” Source: Wikipedia
Integral

Iyengar Yoga

Source: Flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/8708787@N05/3598301471/sizes/l
This Yoga style is developed by BS Iyenger and is a form of Hatha Yoga. It often uses belts, blocks and blankets as an aid to perform various asanas(postures) of Yoga.

Sivananda Yoga

Source: https://www.flickr.com/photos/yoga-vidya/2359153804/sizes/o/

This style was promoted by Swami Sivananda, is a form of Hatha Yoga. This yoga aims to retain the vitality of body by decreasing the chances of disease.

It is based on 5 principles:
I. Proper Exercise : Achevied by Asana.
II. Proper Breathing : Pranayama
III. Proper Relaxation : Savasana
IV. Proper diet: Vegetarian diet
V. Positive Thinking and Mediation

Kundali Yoga

It is a form of Laya Yoga and focusses on awakening kundalini energy (the primal energy located at the base of spine) through regular practice of mediation, breathing excerise, mantras(chants) and asana.

Yin Yoga

It is a meditative style of Yoga.It is also called taoist yoga.

There are other styles also which include Viniyoga, Svaroopa Yoga, Krupalu , Kali Ray TriYoga, Integral, Prenatal.

We will soon try to understand about the rest also. Till then, you can research more on your favorite style and think of following it. Happy Practising.

Would like to end this post with my favorite quote from K. Pattabhi Jois,

“Anyone can practice. Young man can practice. Old man can practice. Very old man can practice. Man who is sick, he can practice. Man who doesn’t have strength can practice. Except lazy people; lazy people can’t practice Ashtanga yoga”.