Unit 5 CAM Project

Lesson 2 Lecture
Breakdown of the Types of Yoga

Lesson Summary: This lesson will go into deeper detail about the types of yoga
discussed in the lesson one lecture. Since we are all different not one style of yoga
may be the best for you. Additionally, individuals with certain conditions may not be
able to perform certain types of yoga. This lesson will breakdown recommendations
for different people and people with types of conditions.

Lesson Content:
What Type of Yoga is Right for you?
Due to the vast amount of styles of yoga being practiced there are some styles that
may not be the best for you to perform. Typically speaking most people can do any
style of yoga but may not be perfect at doing it. If you are using yoga to meet a
specific goal then you may choose one style over another. If you are just starting out
then the best style of yoga to do is Hatha. This is due to its slower transitions and
relaxing class flow. Hatha is also a great starting point because it is the foundation of
most yoga practices done in the west. If the next step of yoga after Hatha is what you
are looking for then Vinyasa would be a great place start. It is similar to Hatha
except you will be moving from one pose to the next quicker and will put more work
into breathing. A great style if you want to hit the foundations of yoga and get a good
workout in. If you are looking to sweat and get a decent workout at the same time
the Bikram or hot yoga is a great choice. As we learned in lesson one, hot yoga could
be any style of yoga done in a heated room. Though most studios follow vinyasa
poses during their hot yoga sessions. I would recommend starting with a hot yoga
class prior to moving to a true Bikram class. This is due to a Bikram class is going to
be hotter, more humid, and will follow a strict set of positions and transitions.
Restorative yoga is fantastic for those looking to rejuvenate themselves after a
stressful week of work. Due to using props to hold positions and positions being
held for longer amounts of time, you do not exert yourself and can focus on relaxing.
If you have experience with restorative yoga or are looking for a way to get more
flexibility out of a yoga session then Iyengar is a great class to attend. Iyengar is
similar to restorative yoga due to using props but instead of the props taking all of
the work out of the pose, they are just used to assist you in getting into certain
positions. The holding of the position will still require to exert yourself so it is more
of an exercise than that of restorative yoga. Ashtanga is a great practice if you want
to master specific poses while getting a great workout. It is similar to Vinyasa except
you will be following the same poses in the same order instead of being random. If
you want to follow a more spiritual path instead of a sweaty workout then Kundalini
is the yoga to do. This is because you actually chant and meditate during the class.
You will still get some flexibility with this class but it focus more on the spiritual
aspect of yoga.
Are Certain Types of Yoga Better for Certain Conditions?
As we have just learned, yoga has a vast amount of styles and one style of yoga is
better for one person than it is another. Although all styles of yoga involve some sort
of meditation, poses, and breathing and have common effects. Taking medical
conditions into consideration there are some forms of yoga to avoid and some that
may benefit you. Restorative, Kundalini, and Iyengar are all fantastic forms of yoga if
you are looking for more of a mind body connection than an actual physical
workout. These forms of yoga are great for anyone suffering from a mental
condition such as anxiety, post traumatic stress disorder, depression, and chronic
stress. Depending on your goals will dictate which one of the more spiritual styles of
yoga you should do. If you want a good stretch then take Iyengar. If you would
rather spend the class diving deep into your spirit then Kundalini is the better
option. Hot yoga and Bikram should only be done by individuals who are in a better
physical shape and do not suffer from any major medical condition such as heart
disease, lung disease, have suffered from heat stroke in the past, and prone to
hyperthermia. These conditions have a lot to do with hydration status and
depending on what medications you take, spending time in a extremely hot room
moving around is not the best option for you. Instead people with these conditions
can practice Hatha. Hatha is generally a great option for anyone with any condition.
Two other forms of yoga that most individuals with any conditions can do is Vinyasa
and Ashtanga. I would caution anyone with major medical conditions before doing it
but even if you have a condition but are in reasonable shape, you can perform
Vinyasa or Ashtanga. In the end, any style of yoga can benefit your flexibility,
strength, mental health, cardiovascular function but due to having certain
conditions some styles of yoga may not be the best for you. Always consult your
doctor before doing any new activity that could effect your condition.