Choosing A Yoga School, India

When it comes to finding a yoga school, India is definitely the pinnacle.  There are many, many disciplines or  yoga "schools" from India, each with subtle differences.  This article will highlight some of the main yoga schools of India, and the unique features of each.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is one of the most popular yoga disciplines across the world. It places great emphasis on the path of physical well being. It is also very concerned with the perfect physical form.

Attempting postures to as correct a degree as possible is of great importance in Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga also employs the use of pranyama and mudras to enhance spiritual development and attain self-realization.

Hatha yoga and its' styles (including Kripalu and Iyengar) share lineage back to Sage Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, which outline the principles of classical Yoga.

You can find an Iyengar Yoga School, India here.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is also known as 'power yoga'. In Ashtanga yoga, there is less of an emphasis on spirituality and more of an emphasis on strength and stamina. Having said that, there is still a spiritual element at the core of Ashtanga yoga. It is known as "Eight-limbed yoga" because the path to internal purification consists of eight practices:

- Yama (moral codes)
- Niyama (self-purification and study)
- Asana (posture)
- Pranayama (breath control)
- Pratyahara (sense control)
- Dharana (concentration)
- Dhyana (meditation)
- Samadhi (contemplation)

 When it comes to the physical practice of yoga, Ashtanga is much more physically intense than other disciplines; to maintain body heat and increase stamina, the postures of Ashtanga yoga are strung together so they can be performed fluently in quick succession.

The Ashtanga yoga school, India is in Mysore. The Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute site is here. http://www.ayri.org/

Kriya Yoga

Kriya yoga is one of the most ancient yoga schools, India. It is also one of the most mystical, even earning the alternate name of 'scientific mysticism'. Although all yoga contains a spiritual element to some extent, the degree to which Kriya yoga places an emphasis on spirituality sets it apart from other disciplines. The term 'kriology' has even been coined for the study of rebalancing karmic patterns and achieving enlightenment. Kriya's distinctive approach focuses heavily on karma, the laws of causation.

If you're really interested in a kriya yoga retreat, check out this article on kriya yoga and self mastery here.

The Kriya yoga school, India, with training programs, and international centers, is here.

Integral Yoga

The focus of integral yoga is on the union of all one's parts with the Divine, and transforming all the incongruous elements into a harmonious state of higher existence. Most types of yoga only develop a single part of the being, with the emphasis being placed on liberation. The aim of integral yoga, however, involves transformation of one's entire being: physical, vital, mental, psychic and spiritual.

Iyengar Yoga

The Iyengar yoga school, India is known for its heavy focus on precise body alignment and attention to detail. As such, props such as blocks, bolsters and belts are used to aid the attainment of proper posture. This is particularly useful for beginner practitioners, who can more readily experience postures that might otherwise take years of practice. Standing poses are heavily emphasized in Iyengar yoga, which build leg strength, coordination, balance and circulation. Another unique aspect of Iyengar yoga is the hands-on approach; instead of merely imitating the instructor, practitioners are assisted with hands-on help to achieve various postures.

Krishnamacharya Yoga

Iyengar, and Ashtanga yoga were developed from Krishnamacharya's teachings. The Yoga Mandiram presents different programs and retreats that encompass Krishnamacharya's complete teachings. More information can be found here: http://www.kym.org/

Before deciding on a yoga school in India, you might want to sample some of the different styles of yoga. You can get DVD's delivered to your door, for just over the cost of a single class. Not only can you choose between ashtanga, hatha, kundalini (and even prenatal) yoga, you get to choose your teachers! It's a great way to try out new styles, or just keep up to date with your old favorites.

Click here to learn more.

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