Choosing The Proper Yoga Discipline

Before you begin to learn yoga, it is essential that you decide on a discipline to study. There are many to choose from, each with its own unique qualities.

It does little good for a person who is overweight, out of shape and leads a sedentary lifestyle to practice the "hard" styles of yoga, such as Bikram and Ashtanga Yoga. Ashtanga especially is a hard style that focuses on a vigorous linking system, with an emphasis on strength, endurance, and repetitions during practice. This style definitely is for the young, the fit and those who already have an active workout regimen.

Softer styles such as Kripalu Yoga take a more holistic approach. They focus on awakening the dormant universal energies within your body through the recitation of mantras, warm-up exercises, specific yoga postures, deep relaxation, and meditation.

Whatever style you wish to pursue, gather as much information on it and consult with your physician. Tell him what you wish to accomplish and ask for his recommendations. They purpose of yoga is to kindle a spiritual awakening. This is done through both meditation and physical actiivty. It makes little sense to take on a yoga practice that may harm you physically, because it defeats every principle behind the practice of yoga.

Namaste,

Charlie~