There are several different types of yoga that are practiced today. Three popular forms are: Kundalini, Vinyasa and Hatha.

kundalini

Kundalini Yoga, also called the Yoga of Awareness, gets its name from Kundalini, or an energy thought to lie coiled like a snake at the base of the spine. The teachings say that this serpent, or energy, is “asleep” or inactive. By practicing this type of yoga, the energy is gradually “awakened”, expanding your consciousness.

Kundalini Yoga focuses on exercising the center of the spine and the navel in an effort to awaken the Kundalini energy stored in the spine. Breathing is very important. Each asana must be practiced with a specific breathing sequence.

Although it can be physically challenging, it is one of the most spiritual types of yoga. In addition to Asanas, there are specific sequences of mantras, chants, and meditation.

Although it has been said that Kundalini is over 5,000 years old, most of what we know comes from a man named Yogi Bhajan. Bhajan brought his knowledge of Kundalini Yoga to the West in 1969 and taught until 2004.

Bhajan established 3HO (Healthy, Happy, Holy Organization) to carry on his teachings.

vinyasa

Vinyasa means “to position in a certain way” or “to breathe with movement”. Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic, flowing form of yoga that focuses on synchronizing movement and breath. The purpose of this approach is internal cleansing.

As you flow from asana to asana, you move on the inhale or exhale. Vinyasa, or Flow, is one of the fastest types of yoga. It is also full of variations. Each teacher will have a slightly different “flow.” Compare this to Bikram yoga, which is always the exact same sequence of poses.

Nicknamed the “father of modern yoga,” Sri T. Krishnamacharya brought Vinyasa-Ashtanga yoga into the modern world. Born in 1888, Krishnamacharya had four students, one of whom was named Parrabhi Jois. Jois went on to create the Ashtanga Yoga Institute, where he teaches and practices Vinyasa Flow.

hatha

Hatha means stubborn or forceful. It also means Sun Moon, which represents the opposites of masculinity/femininity, day/night, winter/summer, active/passive, etc. Hatha is the best known of the 6 main branches of yoga which include Tantra, Karma, Raja, Bhakti and Jnana yoga.

Hatha is generally a slower form that focuses on stretching and holding poses. The poses are usually held for 15-30 seconds with conscious breathing.

Hatha easily dates back to at least the 15th century. The book, Hatha Yoga Pradipika, written by Svami Svatmarama, is believed to be the classical guide to yoga.