Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a subcategory of Vinyasa Yoga and follows the same predefined sequence in every class. Ashtanga is a rigorous style of yoga with a specific sequence of poses meant to challenge the mind, body, and soul. (In contrast, Vinyasa maintains a flexible approach to the practice of yoga with a more creative class sequence.) Ashtanga Yoga is designed to purify the body and cultivate a deeper connection to the self through asana practice.
Ashtanga Yoga classes are usually high energy and physically challenging. The classes are always sequenced the same, with poses following in the same order. The focus of Ashtanga classes is linking every single movement in the class with breath.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is the most common class type offered in Western style yoga classes. A class that is titled “Hatha” is usually a gentle level class with basic yoga asanas. This type of class would probably not be considered a high energy class, such as a power or hot yoga class. Hatha yoga instead combines the use of deep breathing and different postures to achieve a meditative state.
Through breathing exercises in combination with physical poses, Hatha yoga seeks to cleanse and connect the mind and body. Pranayama (breathing) and the asanas (poses) are the most widely recognized parts of Hatha yoga.
Hot Yoga
A modern style of yoga, Hot Yoga’s name comes from the temperature of the studio it’s practiced in. It is often also referred to as “Bikram Yoga.”
Hot Yoga and Bikram Yoga classes both use heat (up to 40 degrees Celsius / 100 degrees Fahrenheit) to aid in loosening stiff joints and strengthening muscles. The flow like sequence of the classes help to promote detoxification of the body through sweating.
Hot yoga will typically follow a Vinyasa style flow with high energy. Bikram Yoga classes will typically follow a preset of a 26-pose sequence done twice in one class. Hot yoga classes differ from Bikram classes because there are no sequence or pose restrictions. Hot yoga classes focus more on a flow like sequence.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga classes focus on proper alignment and the precise use of teaching cues and language to achieve alignment. The classes focus on a progressive philosophy that includes basic beginner foundations in early classes. These beginner foundation classes later build upon more advanced classes as students progress in their practice.
Iyengar Yoga classes are structured around gradual progression of the practice over time. The classes are highly focused on finding proper alignment in each pose and breath connection in the poses. Iyengar classes also focus on the use of props to perfect alignment for each pose. In Iyengar classes, blankets, straps, blocks, chairs and other props are used frequently to help students understand key alignment principles for poses and for adjusting poses. Iyengar classes are usually slower pace with the poses being held for longer periods of time.
Pranayama
Pranayama is generally defined as “breath control”. pranayama should not be considered as mere breathing exercises aimed at introducing extra oxygen into the lungs. Pranayama utilizes breathing to influence the flow of prana in the nadis or energy channels of the pranamaya kosha or energy body.
Qigong
Qigong is a moving meditative art that utilizes a system of coordinated body-posture and movement, breathing, and meditation.
With roots in traditional Chinese medicine, qigong is a way to cultivate and balance qi (“life force energy”). Such practice usually involves moving meditation, slow-flowing movement, deep rhythmic breathing, and meditation.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga classes focus on a slow-paced style originally developed for students recovering from an illness or injury. Restorative yoga is also considered an ideal balance to hectic and stressful modern lifestyles.
Restorative yoga classes are very calm and slow-paced. These classes focus on the use of props to achieve restorative poses that calm and promote healing in the body. A restorative yoga class will usually include only 5-8 poses that are held for longer periods of time; up to five minutes or longer. The purpose of these classes is to relax and rest. The poses involved are calming and require minimal effort.
Vinyasa Yoga
In contrast to Hatha Yoga, Vinyasa Yoga is a ‘flow’ between poses. Vinyasa classes also include breathing techniques that focus on the transition of the flow between poses. In Vinyasa, the synchronization of the breath and movement is an important part of the practice.
Vinyasa, often referred to as “Vinyasa Flow”, focuses on the transition between poses. It also maintains a more rapid flow of movement through different postures. The structure of Vinyasa flow will vary greatly from class to class since the definition of the style is so broad. Due to its faster class pace, many people are drawn to Vinyasa classes for its fitness applications.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga provides a slower and more meditative style of yoga. In Yin, different poses are held for longer periods of time for a deeper stretch. In these classes, a pose is usually held for 1-2 minutes, but can sometimes be held for up to 5 minutes in duration.
The purpose of holding poses for long periods of time is to target the deeper tissues in our body; our connective tissue, ligaments, joints, and fascia. In Yin Yoga philosophy, it’s believed that by releasing our tissues in this way, we can improve and remove blocked Chi or energy in our body. Another benefit of Yin Yoga is that a static pose is a safer way to apply stress to the joints. there is no warm-up and the emphasis is put onto connective tissue rather than on the muscles.
Oakridge Yoga & Wellness 