Daisy Leung Yoga: Yoga Styles & Poses

Yoga Styles

Just as there are many petals on a lotus flower, there are many hatha yoga styles. Below is a brief description of some popular styles practiced in the West. Daisy's yoga class incorporates elements from Iyengar and Sivananda yoga.

Anusara - an aerobic form of hatha yoga similar to Ashtanga yoga but not as vigorous and with more awareness of alignment; emphasis on "opening the heart"

Ashtanga - very aerobic form of hatha yoga where the breath is synchronized with a progressive series of postures

Bikram - similar to Ashtanga but at a more moderate pace, consisting of 26 poses; the yoga room is heated to help loosen muscles

Iyengar - most well-known and practiced style in the West; very precise with emphasis on proper alignment of the body

Sivananda - sequence of 12 basic poses (with possible variations); pranayama (breathing exercises) is incorporated into the class

For more in-depth information about yoga styles, go to the Yoga Journal website's "Yoga Style Guide" page at: http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/165_1.cfm

While you're there, browse through the website; you will find a ton of yoga information.

Names of Common Poses ("Asanas")

If you ever find yourself in a yoga class and hear the teacher say, "OK, let's go into Adho Mukha Svanasana," don't panic! Below is a list of Sanskrit names of some common yoga poses and their English meanings. (Recommended book: "How to Use Yoga" by Mira Mehta - Rodmell Press)

Standing Poses:
· Ardha Chandrasana - half moon pose
· Parsvakonasana - lateral angle pose
· Parvsvottanasana - extreme sideways stretch
· Prasarita Padottanasana - forward stretch with wide apart legs
· Tadasana - mountain pose
· Trikonasana - triangle pose
· Utkatasana - fierce pose
· Virabhadrasana - warrior pose (three variations)
· Vrksasana - tree pose (a balance pose)

Inverted Poses:
· Adho Mukha Vrksasana - downward facing tree/handstand
· Halasana - plow
· Pincha Mayurasana - peacock tail pose/elbow balance
· Sarvangasana - shoulderstand
· Sirsasana - headstand
· Viparita Karani - restful inversion (legs up against wall)

Forward Bending Poses:
· Baddha Konasana - bound angle pose
· Janu Sirsanana - head-to-knee pose with one bent leg
· Navasana - boat pose
· Parivrtta Janu Sirsasana - revolved head-to-knee pose
· Paschimottanasana - seated forward bend
· Supta Padangusthasana - lying down finger-to-foot pose
· Upavista Konasana - seated angle pose
· Uttanasana - standing forward bend

Back Bending Poses:
· Adho Mukha Svanasana -downward facing dog
· Bhujangasana - cobra pose
· Dhanurasana - bow pose (2 variations)
· Eka Pada Rajakapotasana - one-leg king pigeon pose
· Matsyasana - fish pose
· Natarajasana - dancer's pose (a balance pose)
· Salabhasana - locust pose
· Setu Bandhasana - bridge pose
· Ustrasana - camel pose

Other Poses:
· Ardha Matsyendrasana - half spinal twist
· Garudasana - eagle pose
· Gomukhasana - cow face pose
· Padmasana - lotus pose
· Savasana - corpse pose (a relaxation pose)
· Virasana - hero's pose

Pranayama

("Breathing Exercises")

Pranayama is, simply put, breathing exercises. But it is more than a mere exercise; it is a part of yoga practice that is considered as important as doing asanas.

"In Yogic breathing exercises, the breath is seen as the important link between our physical and mental aspects. Pranayama cleanses and strengthens the physical body, but its most important benefit is for the mind, which it calms, steadies, and clears." ~ Yoga, Mind, and Body

"Only Pranayama gives real relief from [anxieties and diseases]...It cannot be learnt by arguments and discussions, but must be mastered with patient and cautious effort. It starts by giving relief to sufferers from ordinary ailments like common colds, headaches, and mental disharmony." ~ Light on Pranayama

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