What is Your Style of Yoga?
There are a number of yoga styles: hatha, vinyasa, kundalini, power yoga, reiki. They work you in different ways.
• Hatha yoga is the most commonly practiced style. The word hatha is derived from the Indian words for sun (ha) and moon (tha), which is why this style is often referred to as the yoga of “opposite pairs.” Hatha yoga is a low-impact exercise for the body and mind. It combines different asanas, or postures, with a deep breathing technique to promote flexibility, balance and relaxation.
This focuses more on breathing and poses. The gentle stretches should feel like natural, comfortable positions that flow into one another at a relaxed pace.
• Vinyasa is a gentle flowing yoga. This is ideal if you are new, out of shape, or have health issues. It is diverse. There is no single philosophy, rulebook, or sequence that teachers must follow and each instructor's style may be different. So it's important to find a teacher you enjoy and can relate to. If you enjoy having things a little loose and unpredictable and like to move, Vinyasa is probably a good choice.
• Kundalini is one of the more spiritual types of yoga. It goes beyond the physical performance of poses with its emphasis on breathing, meditation, mudras and chanting. The Kundalini sequences can be very physically intense. This style appeals to those who are up for both mental and physical challenges.
Kundalini sequences may consist of rapid, repetitive movements done with breath or holding a pose while breathing in a particular way. The class ends with a meditation, which may be accompanied by the instructor playing a large gong or music.
• Power yoga is a general term used to describe a vigorous, fitness-based approach. Most power yoga is closely modeled on the Ashtanga style of practice. Unlike Ashtanga, power yoga does not follow a set series of poses. Any power yoga class can vary widely from the next. What they have in common is an emphasis on strength and flexibility.
• Reiki is a Japanese technique for stress reduction and relaxation that also promotes healing. Typically it used as a complement to other medical or therapeutic techniques to relieve side effects and promote recovery. It focuses on a person's energy. A reiki practitioner may use their hands or crystals to promote healing.
It is administered by laying on hands and is based on the idea that an unseen "life force energy" flows through us and is what causes us to be alive. If one's life force energy is low, then we are more likely to get sick or feel stress, and if it is high, we are more capable of being happy and healthy. Reiki treats the whole person including body, emotions, mind and spirit. It creates effects that include relaxation, a feeling of peace, and wellbeing.
"Energy is in everything. The world is not all physical. It's real energy," says Nicki LeMarbre, program and events coordinator at Franklin Yoga & Wellness. She is an energy facilitator and teacher. She uses stones like selenite and works with a crystal bowl.
"Crystals are for energy transformation. They help to clear energy blocks in the body and help you to feel light and focused," she explained. "People have energy blockages. Children are freer of blockages when they are young. As we grow older, energy gets blocked. Different things such as anger, fear, resentment, guilt, and jealousy create blockages within.”
Reiki helps people to help themselves. It is important for people to find things that make them feel good and release their blockage -- like nature or music, LeMarbre sugested. In other words, find something that makes you feel joyful and blissful. Reiki helps people to return to that natural state and clean out the junk.
"I've gone from a stress-filled life with moments of bliss to a blissful life with moments of stress," she said.
Bliss for the present and future
Yoga gives your body, mind and spirit a workout. It feeds the whole being. And more people are looking to feel good inside and out. It's a sanctuary from the busy world. "There's a sense that you get when things are quiet. Everything is so loud, busy, and computer-generated. The practice of sitting quietly with other people is very peaceful and relaxing," said Guruatma Khalsa, who owns Franklin Yoga & Wellness.
"People are hungry for something to help them to go to deeper levels of their psyche and find a sense of peace and wellness that they're not getting anywhere else," he observed.
"We don't shy away from the spiritual aspect of yoga. I teach kundalini yoga and it teaches yoga from the inside out, where other yogas, like hatha yoga, approach it from the outside-in. The goal of all yoga is the discovery of your infinite self," Khalsa added.
Recently Franklin Yoga had a 40-day Sadhana — an early morning practice. Each morning from 4:00 to 6:30 the studio saw anywhere from 8 and 13 people. They chant and keep repeating one mantra over and over. "It takes about one minute to say your mantra and your breathing slows down. It's the morning call. It's very specific. When you say it over 2 1/2 hours it's very powerful," said Khalsa.
"So many people have a misunderstanding of chanting. They think its religious. It's not. It's spiritual. We recognize the power of the word. Using your words to help people and not hurt them is very powerful and uplifting," he said.
Victoria Haffer at the Millis Yoga Center agrees that yoga, meditation, and chanting keep your mind and attention focused on one thing. "People need to be present. Be in the moment. Don't miss the gift of what's in front of you," she said. "People need to take the time."
"I tell my students: take time for yourself. You will be a better person for everyone around you," she explained. Many adults must take care of their spouse or partner, their parents, their kids. "But what about you? You can't wait until your kids grow up. Don't wait until you're retired. The more your cup is full, the more you can give to others. And you don't feel resentment. It doesn't always have to be yoga. It can be dance, art therapy, tai chi," she suggested.
Namaste.
Franklin News, September, 2011
