September Is Yoga Awareness Month
The practice of yoga dates back over 2000 years to the Indus Saraswati Valley Civilization, with a focus on the unification of the mind, body, and spirit through the practice of physical movements, meditation, and breathing exercises. Today, yoga is practiced by more than 300 million people worldwide because when you step out of a yoga class, no doubt you feel better from head to toe: There’s a mental clarity only om-ing can bring, and your muscles and joints feel more relaxed. To find out how a simple sun salutation can give you this feeling of relaxed euphoria, read our 2022 blog This is Your Brain on Yoga.
The practice of yoga itself is a dynamic blend of physical exercises (or poses) combined with deep breathing, meditation, and mindfulness.
Mankind has witnessed countless physical health benefits of yoga for ages such as:
Improving posture, increasing flexibility, and strengthening muscles: Slow movements, deep breathing, and holding the pose improve blood circulation and strengthens muscles. Stretching helps ease pain and improves range of motion, flexibility, and mobility in older adults, and helps relieve back pain
Reducing inflammatory markers in chronic conditions such as heart disease, cancer, and arthritis
Enhancing athletic performance and improving balance and coordination
Boosting metabolism and enhancing immunity
Various yoga poses help improve insulin sensitivity, lowers blood sugar, and reduce the risks of complications in diabetics
Lowering cholesterol and blood pressure
Reducing stress and improving sleep
Yoga, in its purest form, is the union between the body, mind, and spirit. However, these days yoga has a slightly different definition or interpretation. That is why we see things like goat yoga (a.k.a. doing yoga with goats running and jumping around) popping up alongside traditional forms like Iyengar and ashtanga. But above all, yoga ignores the “no pain, no gain” philosophy that’s common in some fitness communities. Yoga is not a place to push through, go beyond your edge, or ignore your body. The primary principle is ahimsa, or non-harming, and that starts with choosing the right type of yoga for you. Although there are many, the eight most common are listed below.
VINYASA: Also called “flow yoga” or “vinyasa flow,” it is an incredibly common style. It is a style of yoga where the poses are synchronized with the breath in a continuous rhythmic flow. Anyone who wants more movement and less stillness from their yoga practice would love this style.
ASHTANGA: Ashtanga yoga consists of six series of specific poses taught in order. Each pose and each series is “given” to a student when their teacher decides they have mastered the previous one. This is a very physical, flow-style yoga with spiritual components. Who Might Like It? Anyone who likes routine or a more physical yet spiritual practice.
YIN: Yin yoga is a slower style of yoga in which poses are held for a minute and eventually up to five minutes or more. It is a type of yoga with roots in martial arts as well as yoga, and it’s designed to increase circulation in the joints and improve flexibility. The practice focuses on the hips, lower back, and thighs and uses props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks to let gravity do the work, helping to relax. While other forms of yoga focus on the major muscle groups, yin yoga targets the body’s connective tissues. This is a great style for those who need to stretch out after a tough workout, or anyone interested in a slower-paced practice.
BIKRAM: Bikram is a form of hot yoga. These classes, like ashtanga classes, consist of a set series of poses performed in the same order, and the practice has strict rules. Practicing yoga in a heated environment allows you to get deeper into postures, improves circulation, and aids in detoxifying the body. Anyone who likes to sweat, someone who wants a more physical practice, or those who like routine will love Bikram.
POWER: Power yoga strengthens the muscles while also increasing flexibility. The variation of sequences keeps the brain engaged while you work all muscle groups in the body. Those who like ashtanga but want less rigidity, anyone who wants a good workout, and anyone who wants a less spiritual yoga practice should try a power yoga class.
HATHA: Hatha is a blanket term for many different ‘styles’ and schools that use the body as a means for self-inquiry. It’s often used as a catch-all term for the physical side of yoga, is more traditional in nature, or is billed as yoga for beginners. To be considered hatha, classes must include a mix of asana (poses), pranayama (breathing exercises), and meditation, so other types of yoga — like Iyengar, ashtanga, or Bikram — are technically considered to be hatha yoga as well. Who Might Like It? Anyone looking for a balanced practice.
GENTLE: This type of yoga is a gentler style of hatha yoga. It is performed at a slower pace, with less intense positions, and usually includes extended time for meditation, yogic breath work, and relaxation. A gentle class usually includes more warm up movements and the yoga postures are often held for longer times. Modifications are done to help people of all fitness levels enjoy the benefits of yoga without putting themselves at risk for injuries. There is a stronger emphasis on stretching, seated poses, and low-impact movements in these classes. It is especially great for people with injuries, pain, mobility or health issues.
SLOW-FLOW: Slow flow yoga is a type of yoga that combines vinyasa and hatha yoga, with a slower pace and longer pose holds than other styles. It's a meditative practice that emphasizes peace and calm, and can help beginners and those with injuries feel more comfortable. Slow flow yoga can also help improve strength and flexibility, and can have calming effects.
And now the moment you’ve all been waiting for! A sun salutation is a sequence of 12 yoga poses which are performed in a fluid and continuous manner synchronized with your breath, traditionally completed in the morning to welcome the rising sun. You’ll find this to be a key element in many of the above yoga styles, as it’s perfect for warming up before various activities like surfing, or even as a standalone 10-minute practice.
Some popular poses include: tree pose, downward dog, upward dog, child’s pose, warrior 1, reverse warrior, cobra pose, cat-cow, crescent lunge, and shavasana.
September is National Yoga Awareness Month. It was created by the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (N.C.C.I.H.) along with the Office of Research Services (O.R.S.) to raise awareness of the benefits of practicing yoga. So now that you’re aware, please know that Success Studio offers both gentle and slow-flow yoga at the Success Studio Ivy Road location. Both of these styles of yoga are great for workout recovery! If you are already a member, sign up for a yoga class with Rachel here to see how yoga can improve flexibility, enhance posture, strengthen core muscles, improve your sense of balance, and increase energy levels. Namaste.