Over the course of the next year, we will publish posts on the different styles of Yoga. The biggest question I am asked today as a yoga teacher is, “What style of yoga do you teach?” My answer is always Hatha Yoga. Then most people look at me with a blank face because they either don’t know what it is, or because they have always assumed that Hatha is a style of yoga that is meant for old people, which could not be father from the truth. The truth is that if you have walked into a yoga class and participated, then you have done Hatha.
There are a few forms of yoga which are part of the lineage of Yoga. Hatha, Bhakti, Tantra, Kundalini, Janu, Kriya, Patanjali, Karma, Laya, Mudra, Mantra, and a few more. These styles of yoga are part of a long lineage past down from teacher to student. What is taught today in all yoga studios are a variation of Hatha. Each teacher has taken an aspect of Hatha Yoga, and carefully created their own brand from it. To name a few: Ashtanga Yoga (by Pattabi Jois), Iyengar Yoga, Vini Yoga, Power Yoga, Anusara, Sonic Yoga, Jivamuhkti Yoga, Om Yoga, Happy Yoga, Laughter Yoga, Pure Yoga, Para Yoga, Kripalu Yoga, City Yoga, and so on. These styles of Yoga are called name brands, and while valuable, usually only offer a piece of the kernel of wisdom that belongs to the Yoga Tradition.
Namaste
Aaron