Thursday, January 3, 2008

Understanding the Different Types of Yoga

yoga is becoming a more and more popular activity in the Western world today. The number of places holding yoga classes is on the increase and there is a plethora of different types of yoga. With a choice of Hatha yoga, ashtanga Yoga, power Yoga, Iyengar yoga, Bikram yoga, Vinyasa yoga and many more it can be easy to get confused

The article will help you to understand the difference between the most popular types of yoga so you can choose which type is right for you.

Hatha yoga - in sanskrit (an ancient classical language of India) Ha means sun and tha means moon. This type of yoga is relatively slow paced, gentle type of yoga and is a good place to start if you are completely new to yoga and don't know any of the asanas (poses). Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

ashtanga Yoga - this is the type of Yoga that I practice on a regular basis and means eight limbs in sanskrit. It's a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas, synchronized with the breath. ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next, so you'll find that it will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength..

power Yoga - this is a western interpretation of Yoga and is based on ashtanga Yoga. A power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like ashtanga Yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

Iyengar yoga - This type of yoga is based on teachings by B.K.S Igengar and concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body. Unlike ashtanga Yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next. Iyengar Yoga uses props such as blocks and straps to help align the body into the different poses.

Vinyasa Yoga - Vinyasa means breath synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of yoga, with an emphasis on breathing. A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

Bikram Yoga - otherwise known as Hot Yoga, is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees, with a humidity of around 40%. Generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced during a Bikram Yoga class and the hot temperature helps to loosen muscles. Due to the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.

If you're just starting out or have never done any yoga before, I recommend trying a few different types of yoga to find out what you like best.

Remember, there's no rule that says you have to stick to one type of yoga. I like ashtanga Yoga best, but I also go to occasional Iyengar and Hatha yoga classes for a bit of variety.

To find out more about the different types of yoga visit the Free online Yoga Guide

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Family Cruises Guide

family cruises are the ideal solution when you're in need of a stress-free family vacation that's fun for everyone. No need to worry about traffic jams, valet parking or keeping the kids entertained. You can just relax in the comfort of your plush onboard surroundings, and let the kids explore a mind-blowing array of cruise entertainment or you can join in the activities too!

Throughout the year there is no shortage of cruise ships catering for families leaving ports all around North America. family cruises to disney are popular as are themed family cruises during spring break and summer vacation time. Destinations such as Bermuda, the Caribbean and the Bahamas are all within easy reach of east coast ports. On the west side, Mexico, Canada and Alaska are equally accessible too for family cruises.

Further afield, family cruises along the Amazon or fly-cruises around Europe offer great value for your dollar. Besides the wealth of onboard entertainment for all the family to enjoy, what child would not be impressed by a close encounter with pink dolphins on the Amazon, or the sight of gladiators re-enacting Roman times in an Italian amphitheater? There's no end of fun to be had, and all at a price that is affordable, especially when compared to land-based vacations of a similar standard!

family cruises for kids

kids of all ages can expect a dazzling array of entertainment to greet them on family cruises. For younger children games rooms and video rooms showing cartoons are available on many cruise ships that cater for families. There are video games, sports activities, dancing classes and organized activities under the direction of the ship's crew for older children to delight in. Some cruise liners even have 'kids-only' swimming pools.

family cruises for parents

For parents everything from golf to poolside massages are available on family cruises. kids can be left in the capable hands of the cruise liner's staff leaving you free to enjoy some 'you' time. most cruise boats offer a babysitting service. So, why not take advantage of it and steal an evening walk under the stars together or share a romantic meal at the ship's restaurant? You might just find that it is the most enjoyable and relaxing vacation you've been on in years!

Jonathan Medcalfe writes about all types of cruise vacations including bahamas cruises, alaska cruises luxury cruises and much more. If you want more information about interesting cruises, visit his site here: http://www.fgcruise.com.

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