The yoga series, part one: Defining the different types of yoga

November 17, 9:55 AMMinneapolis Fitness ExaminerMalia Frey

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The practice of yoga has been around for centuries, but it is a relative newcomer to health clubs and other mainstream fitness settings. Even though it is now more accessible, people are frequently overwhelmed by the many forms of yoga and have trouble finding a class that is right for them. While all forms of yoga focus on breathing and centering exercises, there is a range in the level of difficulty and the pace at which the postures are presented. Below is a list of some of the more popular forms of yoga.

• Hatha: Hatha yoga includes asanas (postures) for all levels and breathing exercises designed to balance the mind and body. Hatha yoga generally moves at a slower pace making it perfect for the beginner.
• Ashtanga/Vinyasa: These similar styles include a fast-paced, flowing sequence of postures that are synchronized to your breath and gradually increase in difficulty. You'll find more advanced movers in these classes, although most classes welcome beginners as well.
• Bikram: This is frequently called "hot yoga". Bikram is a series of 26 poses that are performed in a room heated to over 100 degrees. Each pose is repeated twice and only held for 30 to 90 seconds.
• Kundalini: Kundalini is a meditative discipline that focuses on the energy center of the spine.
• Power Yoga/Fitness Yoga: Many health clubs blend different kinds of yoga into a format that works for their clientele. Generally, Power Yoga or Fitness Yoga is a blend of postures from Ashtanga or Bikram yoga and is sometimes combined with Pilates and basic stretching exercises.
• Yoga for Runners, Golfers, etc: This is another trend that combines postures from the various forms of yoga with other sport specific exercises to target flexibility and strength concerns of athletes in a particular sport.