Strengthens the body and helps to relax. Yoga, an ancient Indian discipline that allows you to combine psychological and physical balance through breathing exercises and particular body positions, is a rich and varied discipline. One of the biggest obstacles that those who are intrigued by this practice have to face is the choice of the type of course to follow. Together with Dr. Lorenzo Virelli we will see what are the main types of yoga and what are the documented benefits for health.
Hatha, a good way to start
Hatha is a very general term that can include any type of physical exercise typical of this discipline. In contemporary yoga jargon, hatha has ended up identifying with a slow and gentle way of practicing. The hatha yoga class can be a good way to begin this practice because it provides an introduction to basic yoga positions in an informal environment.
Ashtanga, a challenge in motion
Ashtanga is an intense and fluid yoga style that involves a series of positions always performed in the same order. It requires constant practice and good physical preparation due to constant movement.
Bikram or Warm Yoga
Hot yoga was first introduced by Bikram Choudhury, whose name has become synonymous with a practice that takes place in a room heated to 95-100 degrees. The heat allows an effective loosening of muscle tensions and promotes relaxation.
Kundalini, breathing and movement
The movement of the body accompanied by breathing is a common characteristic of all forms of Yoga but is particularly emphasized in Kundalini. This type of yoga particularly emphasizes the synchrony between breathing and physical movement.
Power Yoga
In the mid-1990s, teachers trained in traditional yoga began to look for ways to make yoga more accessible to people. Power yoga was initially influenced by the intensity of Ashtanga but then allowed for variation in the list of poses at the teacher’s discretion.
Health benefits
In recent years, several scientific studies have shown that yoga, in its different styles, has significant health benefits. Several studies show an improvement in patients with diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and anxiety-depressant syndrome. In the elderly population, in particular, the regular practice of yoga significantly improves cardiac and respiratory function, physical and cognitive performance in both healthy subjects and patients with Parkinson’s disease; finally, Yoga is able to reduce stress levels and promotes better sleep at night.
“In conclusion, the practice of yoga, improves the state of general health and is able to significantly improve the quality of life of those who practice it – concluded Virelli -. It is therefore an absolutely advisable activity and thanks to the many styles developed over the years, allows both beginners and experienced practitioners to identify the most congenial form”.
