I have a serious beef with the current mainstream yoga “industry” as someone who has loved and practiced yoga since 1998. (*with apologies to the vegetarians and vegans out there)
My beef is this: these days, far too many yoga studios pander to what’s in vogue and trendy, jumping on the bandwagon du jour to give their customers what they think they want.
Sadly, this appears to be done at the expense of offering their customers something “different,” as well as educating, informing, and inspiring the ever-increasing population of yogis and yoginis that there is a whole world of yoga out there beyond Hot Yoga, Ashtanga, or Power Yoga.
I’m on a mission, and it’s to help you figure out whether you are, in fact, in a yoga rut; to help you get out of that rut; and to shake things up by introducing you to a bright, shiny yoga world beyond what you are probably currently doing.
In 1998, in a unassuming little studio in a suburban strip mall, I took my first Hatha class, which is where my personal yoga experience and history began. Yoga wasn’t all that “in” back then; it was still pretty out there. The owner and teacher, a middle-aged Englishman who had obviously spent a significant portion of his formative years hanging out with yogis and gurus in India, gave me what I now recognize as my firm foundation and profound love for yoga that continues to serve me today.
Additionally, I have experimented with a number of other forms of practice over the past 15 years, including Ashtanga, Kripalu, Iyengar, Restorative, Bikram, Jivamukti, Anusara, Kundalini, Moksha, Power, and Yin, feeling a natural affinity for some… and a complete aversion to others (just because it’s yoga, doesn’t mean that it’s all great!)
I don’t share this information with you to impress or astound you, but rather because I believe that the majority of yoginis (and yogis) in today’s world are doing a great disservice to themselves.
I’m happy that you’re practicing yoga, but are you in a rut with it?
Here are 5 quick questions to ask yourself to determine if you are.
- Do you only ever attend hot yoga classes or vigorous Ashtanga, Power, or Vinyasa classes?
- Do you only practice Hot Yoga; have you tried any other styles of yoga before?
- Describe five additional types of yoga if you can. Have you ever tried any of them?
- Do you understand the various benefits of yoga for your mind, body, and soul, when to practice them, and why?
- Do you know where to look in your city for these classes?
Not only is variety the spice of life even in yoga, but shaking up your regular routine and practice is a wonderful way to get in sync with what your mind/body/spirit needs on any given day, which is never going to be the same from one day to the next.
For instance, a challenging Ashtanga or Vinyasa class is just what you need to get your energy moving if you’re feeling lethargic.
Nothing beats the warmth of a Moksha or Hot Yoga class in the Fall when it’s chilly, windy, and wet and you’re chilled to the bone.
Additionally, if you have a driven, intense Type A personality and just finished a vigorous 60-minute spin class, your body would benefit most from a gentle yet highly effective Restorative class or even a Hatha class to gently stretch your muscles… and not a 75-minute Hot Yoga class!!
Don’t get me wrong, I adore my Moksha (Hot Yoga) practice, but there are plenty of days when, despite residing in a significant urban area, I wish I had easier access to a Kripalu, Restorative, or wonderful “old school” Hatha class when I felt like it, and that it was also close by. Unfortunately, supply and demand determine everything. As opposed to Hot Yoga or Ashtanga/Vinyasa/Power Yoga classes, Kripalu, Hatha, Kundalini, or Restorative classes are less popular today.
Here is my personal “playlist” of 5 different styles of yoga for you to explore and switch up your routine in an effort to help you get out of your yoga rut.
The key is to try different types of yoga classes to see what resonates with you. Then, moving forward, remember to tune in to what your mind, body, and soul need on any given day by choosing one of these instead of doing the same type of class week after week, which not only limits the magic and positive impact of your yoga practice in your life, on and off the mat, but also causes repetitive action stress and strain on your muscles and joints.
Hatha
Hatha Yoga, historically, refers to any of the physical forms of yoga. The most fundamental yoga postures will typically be introduced to you in a class billed as Hatha today, with no flow between poses. In a Hatha yoga class, you probably won’t break a sweat, but you should leave feeling longer, looser, and more relaxed. Learning basic poses, relaxation methods, and becoming more accustomed to yoga in general can all be done in a Hatha class. It incorporates basic asanas (postures), pranayama (controlled breathing), and meditation.
Kripalu
The “yoga of consciousness” is Kripalu. With the help of this gentle, introspective practice, practitioners are led to hold certain poses as they examine and clear emotional and spiritual blockages. Kripalu is in direct opposition to Ashtanga or Power practices that have specific objectives. Precision of alignment is less important than in some other yoga traditions, and striving is discouraged. In Kripalu yoga, there are three stages. Learning each posture and becoming familiar with your body’s capabilities are the main goals of Stage One. In the second stage, postures are held for a prolonged period of time while concentration and inner awareness are being developed. In Stage Three, the transition from one posture to the next occurs consciously and spontaneously, much like a meditation in motion. It’s simply blissful!
Restorative
You will spend the majority of the time in a restorative yoga class lying passively on blocks, blankets, and yoga bolsters so that your muscles can unwind. It’s an absolutely delicious way to relax and calm frazzled nerves, and it’s also very helpful when you’re recovering from an illness or injury. Contrary to popular belief, these passive poses are incredibly strong and effective without requiring the kind of effort you would in a different type of practice. However, a good Restorative class is more reviving than a nap. On Friday nights, studios frequently offer them. There is no better way to unwind after a trying week and get ready for the weekend.
Yin
A calm, meditative form of yoga is called yin yoga. Another name for it is Taoist yoga. Yin yoga is meant to complement yang yogas, which are the more physically demanding Ashtanga, Vinyasa, or Flow style practices. Yin poses are passive, but not in the same way as Restorative yoga. Instead, yin poses are designed to lengthen connective tissues. With Yin, you’re supposed to let gravity do the work while your muscles are relaxed. Yin poses can last anywhere from 5 to 20 minutes, so be prepared to hold them for a while. Not only does that clear some space, but it also restores and increases your range of motion. Additionally, it provides a wonderful opportunity to practice meditation and taming the monkey mind. One of the most amazing benefits of Yin yoga is that it helps you to release the deep, intense bundles of tension that the majority of us hold in our key joints, including the ankles, knees, hips, entire back, neck, and shoulders. The result is greater flexibility and appreciation for your body’s unique capabilities.
Kundalini
The primary focus of kundalini practice is to awaken and draw upward the energy at the base of the spine. A typical class will also include breathing exercises, meditation, and chanting in addition to postures. You can anticipate poses that are dynamic and energizing all the time. The practice’s fluidity aims to awaken the Kundalini (serpent) energy within you. The majority of people are unaware that they even possess Kundalini energy. The simplest way to visualize it is as a sleeping energy source at the base of the spine that is just waiting to be awakened and tapped. And that is exactly what the Kundalini practice seeks to achieve: to awaken and pulse a potent prana/life force energy upward through the body. A Kundalini practice will give you an amazing yoga buzz, breath patterns that will boost your energy, and postures and meditation that will keep you centered and grounded. It’s great for anyone seeking greater spiritual and mind/body awareness; it’s not just a great workout.
The following are 5 fresh yoga techniques to try.
What are you waiting for???