Whether you want to de-stress, detox
or drop excess pounds, there’s a yoga workout to suit
Baffled by Bikram? Intrigued by lyengar?
With so many different yoga styles around, it can be confusing getting to grips
with the differences between each method. Never fear, whether you want to chill
out or get a cardio fix, our guide will help you find your perfect match.
Simply grab a yoga mat and you’re good to go!
Hatha
yoga creates synergy in the body through the effective use of breath
Hatha
Best for... De-stressing
Calling all city workers! Had a bad day at
work? Hatha yoga is slow and steady style guaranteed to chill out the body and
mind. It focuses on static postures (also known as asanas) such as the triangle
– a side bend in which you twist your body into a triangle position – and the
more complex shoulder stand – a floor position which sees you lift your entire
body from your shoulders down off the floor to help tension melt away and leave
you feeling blissfully relaxed.
Many of the poses focus on opening the
body’s energy channels, engaging inner organs and relieving pent-up stress and
anxiety grind wears you down.
‘Hatha yoga creates synergy in the body
through the effective use of breath,’ explains yoga expert Sibylla Chan (www.houseofyoga.co.uk). ‘It corrects
poor posture, improves lung function and joint mobility, strengthens bones and
muscles and increases energy. The improved blood flow provides a natural
“irrigation” of the body, accelerating cleansing and healing.’
Bilram
Best for...Detoxing
If you’re in need of a total-body cleanse
and would like some amazing toning benefits to boot, put Bikram yoga at the top
of your list. This modern form of yoga takes place in sweat-inducing
temperatures of 40oC to help push your body to its limit with ease,
eliminate toxins and improve circulation.
Named after founder Bikram Choudhury, this
innovative approach to the ancient discipline focuses on 26 static postures
held for at least 30 seconds at a time. Designed to work every single area of
the body, the postures are performed in a specific sequence during a
90-minuteclass.
The intense heat also helps to ease your
muscles and joints, preventing injury as you move through the poses and helping
to heal any existing injuries.
‘Bikram is the most popular form of hot
yoga, enhancing the stretching of muscles and aiding body detoxification,’
explains Sibylla. ‘When you sweat, impurities are flushed out of the body
through the skin.’
If you haven’t been to a class before,
expect to sweat bucket loads, and if you’re not used to working out in such
intense heat you may find that you feel dizzy or nauseous both during and
post-workout. Load up on water to minimise the symptoms, prevent dehydration
and help the detox process.
Bikram devotees swear by the method for
delivering clearer skin, a slimmer waistline and a heightened sense of
wellbeing.
Ashtanga
Best for...Weight loss
This workout offers a heart-pounding
session through a series of standing and seated poses linked in a flowing
sequence called vinyasa.
‘The term vinyasa refers to the alignment
of movement and breath, a method which turns static asanas into a dynamic
flow,’ says Sibylla. The main aim is to build flexibility and strength while
increasing your heart rate through constant movements. These vigorous movements
require strength and agility, but you can begin at your own pace and you’ll
become more flexible as you progress.
‘The focus is on the breath and the journey
between the asanas, rather than solely on achieving perfect body alignment, as
in hatha yoga,’ adds Sibylla. When practised regularly, this style offers
serious results, from blasting fat to building strength.
‘Vinyasa
refers to the alignment of movement and breath, a method which turns static
asanas into a dynamic flow. The aim is to build flexibility and strength while
increasing heart rate’
Iyengar
Best for...Pain relief
Established in the 1970s, Iyengar yoga
focuses on precise postures and carefully controlled movements and breathing
exercises to leave you with better balance and flexibility. ‘Iyengar yoga uses
props such as blocks, belts, cushions, straps and blankets to help perform the
asanas,’ says Sibylla. The good news is you don’t have to be naturally bendy as
the props minimise the risk of injury. In fact, Iyengar works as a fabulous aid
for conditions such as asthma, Rtheumatoid arthritis and Osteoartheritis. The
props also make tricky postures, such as headstands, easier for newbies.
Yoga fusion
And there’s more! Try these new fusion
classes for a fun workout session
Anti-gravity yoga
Unleash your adventurous side with
anti-gravity yoga. This circus-style workout will see you performing exercises
while suspended mid-air in a hammock.
Yin & Yang yoga
This class combines a dynamic vinyasa flow
with relaxation and meditation to restore equilibrium to your body.
Candlelit yoga
One for the romantics, candlelit yoga is a
hot yoga class performed in – you guessed it – Candlelight. Chill-out tunes
play in the background as the instructor guides you through the mellow session.
Spin that wheel! To find more about yoga
classes near you, visit The British Wheel of Yoga at www.bwy.org.uk
