Asana, the third limb of yoga, allows us to work with movement and to respect the body as we would a temple. In India, asana is traditionally practiced to prepare the body for meditation. Modern practice, however, has allowed us to use yoga for strength-building, pain relief, stress reduction, and more.
Asana practices vary between individuals. For some, it could be a time of reflection at the beginning of the day. For others, it could consist of a series of sitting stretching exercises to help us connect the body.
The moment you master your chin stand or bird-of-a-fly of paradise will not guarantee your enlightenment (if only it were that simple). But, doing asanas that require a lot of strength will build your resilience and self-realization unlike any other.
So, if you’re looking to strengthen your yoga practice, There are three different types of yoga you should consider pursuing.
The Ashtanga Yoga Method
It is designed to purify the body and help cleanse the body. Ashtanga is a physically challenging practice that requires synchronization of the breath and Drishti (gaze) asana. With its constant and flowing rhythm, it’s great to build core strength and toning all parts of the body.
Pattabhijois initially developed an interdisciplinary approach, ashtanga, during the 30s of Mysore, an Indian town of Mysore. The term ashtanga comes from an evocative term meaning the words ‘eight limbs’ and seven limbs’ from Sanskrit ( ashta and anga), and yoga is only one of the eight elements. Many popular styles originate from Ashtanga, such as vinyasa and rocket power, jivamukti, and yoga.
The workout begins with sun salutations, then moves by standing exercises followed by various poses that are seated. In the first series, you can expect to sweat a lot when you work and engage your muscles in the major groups. Once you’ve mastered the first sequence, you’ll then be able to learn six more arrangements of poses, all of that has a minimum of 60 vinyasas.
Ashtanga is a meditative practice deeply rooted in the tradition of yoga. This means that even though there are numerous challenging postures and dynamic movements sprinkled throughout the series, the poses and sequences that are presented in each row are the same.
Yet, those who practice it praise its ability to build strength and its meditative qualities. The students’ familiarity with the pattern allows the mind to move to the breath that brings peace and clarity.
Push Through to Power Yoga
Power Yoga is a variation of Ashtanga that is focused on fitness. While it is based on the fundamental routines of Ashtanga, it involves more movement to build the strength of the body and also to generate internal heat. Power yoga practitioners move to increase flexibility, endurance, and less stress.
Beryl Birch was the first to coin the term “power yoga” following the classes she taught in New York in the early 1980s, which caused a stir among athletes. Since then, the practice has been a favorite among those seeking something different from “stretchy, soft practice.” This vigorous vinyasa practice is now renowned worldwide for its yoga sequences that are designed to generate sweat.
The students move through poses at a slow speed, using breath to propel each posture forward with a lot of force. Beginners can expect a lively internal heat-building class with the primary goal of getting the most out of their exercise.
The poses in Power Yoga build muscle tone and increase stability within the body. The muscles are stimulated to stretch when they are hurt, which improves the flexibility of the body over time. If you’re looking to strengthen your body and make your heart beat faster, take a yoga class. You’ll likely see outcomes within a few months.
The sky is the limit with Rocket Yoga.
If you’ve tried Ashtanga but are feeling restricted by the strict routines, it might be time to look into the practice of rocket yoga. Rocket yoga also referred to as “rocket,” was created through Larry Schultz, who himself was a committed Ashtanga practitioner and Ashtanga in Mysore with Pattabhi Jois.
Larry maintained Ashtanga’s sequenced approach by using a rocket. To bring Ashtanga to Westerners, however, he also allowed students to modify their postures to fit their bodies better. If a pose causes discomfort or pain, in the practice of rocket yoga, you can go around or change the pose as required.
Although it allows for modifications to posture, it is more intense than Ashtanga and will leave you sweating buckets. Headstands and arm balances are all the time, and beginners begin by completing Rocket I. Rocket I sequence and move into Rocket III.
Rocket I focuses on hip openers, core strength, and forward folds. Rocket II features spinal twists as well as backbends, seated postures, and forward bends. According to legend, the practice was named by the Grateful Dead’s Bob Weir, who said, “It gets you there faster.” At the point that the students are ready for Rocket III (which combines poses that they have learned through I & II), they’ve built up strength, stamina, and flexibility that is unmatched.
Yoga is usually seen as a calm, moderate activity that is geared towards flexibility. Actually, yoga can be beneficial for training your body weight. People who regularly practice yoga can take on the burden of their bodies effortlessly.
If you’re trying to build strength, you should consider Ashtanga, power, and rocket yoga. The three techniques can help you become fit, strong, and healthy from the outside in. As for enlightenment? It’s a topic for another time.