POWER YOGA

Yoga in itself is a discipline of physical and mental exercises meant to enhance the power of an individual. What then is Power Yoga? Is Power Yoga any different from traditional Yoga? Let us analyze.

What is Power Yoga?

Power Yoga is also called Ashtanga-Vinyasa Yoga. It originated in the 1990s as a form of yoga taught by Pattabhi Jois in Mysuru, India and was popularized by Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest in the United States.

It is a vigorous form of Yoga where fitness is taken as the prime priority. Being rigorous, it generates a lot of heat and releases sweat, thereby expelling toxins along with it. With its exacting regimen, it ensures that the bodily functions are streamlined and regulated. Tension is relieved and calories are burnt through Power Yoga. Power Yoga is thus meant for rejuvenation, detoxification and weight loss.

What does Power Yoga comprise of?

Power Yoga uses the Ashtanga or the eight limbs which utilizes the eight types of Yogic poses. These Yogic poses are classified as beginning, intermediate, advanced and closing series named as Yoga Chikitsa, Nadi Shodana and Sthira Bhaga followed by the Rishi series respectively. The objective of Yoga Chikitsa is to provide Yoga Therapy by realigning the spine and detoxifying the body. Yoga Chikitsa builds strength and improves stamina and flexibility of the body. Nadi Shodana concentrates on the nervous system and helps in purifying the energy channels of the body. Sthira Bhaga aims at consolidating the strength of the body and maintaining its physical, mental and spiritual balance. So, the Yoga Chikitsa streamlines the body's functioning, Nadi Shodana regulates the nervous system and finally, Sthira Bhaga strengthens the body and its balance.

Power Yoga focusses on breathing or pranayama, posture or asana, and the line of sight or drishti. The 3 key areas include the 3 levels of purification of the body, nervous system and the mind.

Vinyasa refers to the sequential flow of exercises which lead from one asana to the next. Here the flow of movement is coordinated with breath control to purify the blood.

What are the advantages of Power Yoga?

Power Yoga aims at both strengthening and toning the body to achieve balance, stability, power and immunity. With Power yoga, flexibility and stamina increase while obesity and stress decrease. Bones are strengthened, muscles are toned, blood is purified and nerves are relaxed. In all, the body becomes physically fit and mentally tuned with Power Yoga.

What are the benefits of Power Yoga?

Power Yoga is a steady and sequential form of yoga where the continuous repetition of asanas helps in building stamina and strength. Here the body is toned without much strain on the bone or muscles thereby making it a safe form of yoga to practice.

Power yoga is a holistic form of yoga which addresses all parts of the body through exercises and breath control. It regulates the posture, balance, flexibility and stability of the body.

With Power Yoga, nearly 200 calories are burnt per hour and this is much lesser than what is exhausted during strenuous exercises like jogging, swimming, aerobics etc. Thus, Power Yoga refreshes the body by burning the right amount of calorie, expelling heat and sweat and improving oxygen and blood circulation.

Power Yoga is the best form of yoga to refresh, revive and rejuvenate you.

=======================