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There are a variety of different forms of yoga and not all are created equal. Some followers are simply looking for stress relief or relaxation, while others are looking for a good workout. If you are looking for a more rigorous form of yoga, then Power Yoga is definitely an excellent option for you.
Although not an officially designated style of yoga, the term popped up in the late 1990s and was often used to describe a variety of yoga classes that are more rigorous and fitness oriented. Often they reflect an Ashtanga approach to yoga, but unlike Ashtanga, there is not always a set series of poses that the instructor follows. |
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What is Power Yoga?A Power Yoga video or class simply focuses on trying to tone and strengthen the muscles while also working on flexibility and breathing. Some power classes focus on specific areas of the body, such as core power yoga, which focuses on strengthening the abdominal muscles needed to proceed with other styles of yoga.
The two instructors most commonly associated with Power Yoga are Bryan Kest and Beryl Bender Birch. Both of these teachers studied with the famous Ashtanga instructor K. Pattabhi Jois, as well as two of his first American students David Williams and Norman Allen, so it is not a coincidence that this type of yoga is similar to Ashtanga in its intensity.
Bryan Kest currently has a studio located in Santa Monica, while Beryl Birch practices out of the Hamptons and Vermont. Because not everyone interested in trying out this style of yoga is located on the East or West Coast, both have produced yoga videos and Birch even has written two Power and Ashtanga yoga related books.
Since Kest and Birch started popularizing this style of yoga, it is also likely that you will find a class at a yoga studio or fitness center near you. There are also several other yoga videos available that follow a more rigorous, fitness based practice.
Keep in mind that because Power Yoga does not follow a strict set of asanas, you will find that each class you attend can be extremely varied. You may find that some classes are too intense for you, especially if you are new to yoga, but most instructors will label their classes to help you determine if it is suitable for beginners or for only advanced students.
All Power Yoga classes will have in a focus on strength, flexibility and breathing. Some followers may be worried that they will not experience the same stress relief or meditation in a Power based class, but many who already practice this style of yoga suggest that the physical exertion of energy actually helps in relieving stress and allowing one to focus on meditation and relaxation at the end of the class.
Despite this, there is not much meditation or chanting at all throughout the class, nor is there time for resting. For new yoga practicers, it is best to start out with a basic breathing class that goes through the poses and then work your way into the classes.
Remember that this style of yoga is not the same as Hot Yoga or Bikram Yoga in which the classroom temperature is increased to improve circulation and decrease the risk of muscle injuries. Although a Power Yoga classroom might get hot and sweaty, this is only caused by the natural increase in body temperature of those in the classroom. Because of the heat in the classroom, though, you will still probably want to bring your own yoga mat, this way you aren’t getting someone else’s yoga mat all sweaty.
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