Ashtanga

You might hear non-yogis say, "I always wanted to take yoga but it's way too hot," or, "I could never do yoga because it's way too slow." The thing is, there are so many different types of yoga that whatever your personality, one style will be right for you. If you've always wanted to try a yoga class, check out the chart below to see which kind of class would best fit your personaility.

If you find your way into an Ashtanga yoga class, there are many reasons why you'll definitely be back for another class. But for the very same reasons some may fall in love with Ashtanga, others will swear off it forever.

1. Didn't we do this yesterday (and last week and last month?): If there were one word to describe the classes you'll find in Ashtanga, it would be repetitive. Every class within the Ashtanga series is exactly the same, no matter what day of the week, who teaches it, or where the class is held. Some people enjoy knowing which poses are coming next, and the repetition also makes it easier to focus on breath and measure progress over time. For others, repetition equals boredom and may even cause a repetitive stress injury — especially if you're unable to complement an Ashtanga practice with other forms of exercise.
2. Moolah what?: Traditionally Ashtanga is taught by calling out the Sanskrit names of the poses. For newbies, this can be very frustrating and makes for a lot of looking around the room to figure out what the heck Chaturanga means. Some people fall in love with the language and once they learn the Sanskrit names, it makes their yoga practice feel that much more authentic.

Continue reading to learn three more reasons to love or hate Ashtanga.

The concept of Power Yoga has been getting some buzz, but a lot of people are confused as to what the practice actually entails. The term was first coined in the 1990s, and many consider it to be the beginning of the "gym yoga" trend. But these days, everyone's got their own take on what really constitutes a Power Yoga practice. Some rooms are heated, while others keep it cool. Some teachers follow the same series of poses, while others mix things up every class. The best way to get a feel for any Power Yoga is to talk to a teacher beforehand to see what her class is all about. But with all these things considered, there are some definite underlying themes that are evident in the majority of Power Yoga classes. Here are four you should know before you power through one of these classes for the first time!

1. It has its roots in Ashtanga: Power Yoga definitely takes its cues from the practice made famous from Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Two of the most recognizable names associated with power yoga, Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest, personally studied under Pattabhi Jois!
2. It moves quickly: Power Yoga is definitely an intense workout that will make you sweat. A traditional Ashtanga practice follows the same series of poses and makes you hold each for five breaths before moving through a Vinyasa. Power Yoga classes move with an even faster rhythm. There are very few moments of being in a pose and getting the feeling that it's taking forever. Soon enough, you'll be out and moving on to the next Asana.
3. It's great for strength training: Other forms of yoga may be ideal for flexibility and meditation, but in Power Yoga, you lift and hold your entire body's weight constantly. These classes incorporate a serious number of Vinyasas, and they're definitely going to get your entire body into gear. For one, your arms will definitely feel the burn from all those Chaturangas!
4. It makes you feel energized: There's a reason that so many people leave Power Yoga classes saying that they're feeling a little "blissed out." While I've left many a relaxing yoga class feeling happy, just wanting to take a bath and get into bed, Power Yoga classes always leave me feeling calm but with an extra little skip in my step! I often come home and tackle a load of chores after I've taken a Power Yoga class.

Power Yoga has become a bit of a collective term for a lot of different classes, so I'm curious about your personal experience. Have you taken Power Yoga? Chime in below!

Source: Flickr user lululemon athletica

Ashtanga is one of my favorite forms of yoga because it's fast-paced, fluid, and each class follows the same sequence, so you always know what to expect once you have a few classes under your capris. It's also really intense, and some aspects of it can be a real turn-off to people. Before you head to your first ashtanga class, here are some things you'll be glad you know.

1. You'll Probably Be Touched by Strangers
Adjustments are pretty common in the ashtanga world, so expect to be touched — a lot. Instructors (or the assistants in class) use adjustments to correct your alignment or to help you get deeper into a posture. The touch-feely aspect of ashtanga can either make you say "yay," or "yikes." If you're not into being touched, politely ask not to be assisted. If you are OK with it and an assist hurts you, make sure you speak up.

Keep reading to hear four other things you'll want to know before your first ashtanga class.

If you're a runner, cyclist, skier, rider, climber, swimmer, or have a Type A, high-energy, can't-sit-still kind of personality, sign yourself up for Ashtanga yoga. This type of yoga is challenging, quick-paced, and just the thing to open your tight hamstrings, hips, and shoulders. Before heading to your first class, here are some things you should know.

It's Hot
I'm not talking Bikram-yoga hot, but it's pretty darn hot. Most studios turn on the heat, so expect to be in a room that's about 80 to 90 degrees. This means you'll probably get pretty sweaty, so it's best to wear long pants to absorb your sweat and to prevent drips of sweat from puddling on your mat, making it dangerously slick. Pants will also add traction for poses where you're touching your legs, as in Crow, so you don't slip out of the pose and hurt yourself. A rug or yoga towel placed on your regular sticky mat is also a must. You might want to bring a hand towel to class as well to wipe the perspiration off your face and arms.

Depending on how strict the instructor is, they might encourage you not to drink water during the practice, since you're working so hard to build the fire inside you, and the water will "put the fire out." So make sure you drink throughout the day before you practice to prevent dehydration.

It's Repetitive
Ashtanga yoga has been taught by the late Pattabhi Jois since 1948, and it involves a set sequence of poses that a practitioner follows in the exact same order every time. Most studios offer Primary Series or Intermediate Series classes. Most ashtanga yogis are practicing Primary Series, which follows this sequence: Five Sun Salutation As, Five Sun Salutation Bs, the Standing Sequence, the Primary Series (Seated Postures), and the Closing Sequence. The beauty of the repetition is that since each class is the same, you can visit any studio in the world, and you'll be able to do the exact same class you do at home. Or once you memorize the sequence, you can practice on your own at home. Some people love the repetition since it can act as a form of moving meditation, while others may see it as boring.

I'm just getting started, so keep reading to hear more about what to expect from your first Ashtanga class.

Deciding if a workout is worthwhile shouldn't be based on how many calories you burn; there are other factors to consider, like if you got your heart rate up, improved your balance and strength, or the exercise improves your energy levels. I'm a regular attendee at yoga classes, but it recently dawned on me that I have no clue how many calories I'm burning during yoga class. Because yoga makes me stronger and more flexible, it really doesn't matter how many calories I burn, but out of curiosity, I thought I'd see how my yoga classes stack up in the calorie department thanks to Health Status's calorie calculator.

Here are the results, listed from the lowest to highest calorie burners.

I know what you're thinking. But before you start the snickers and jokes about the Kama Sutra and such, let me say that this pose isn't just a prep for some crazy tantric sex technique designed to help you achieve the best orgasm of your life. It is an actual yoga pose that you'd find in the second series of Ashtanga yoga. Its purpose is not to turn you into a pretzel, but rather to deeply stretch your lower back and hamstrings. I'm not expecting the average Joe to be able to get into it, since it requires extreme flexibility in the hips and backs of the legs, but just attempting this pose, and taking it as far as you can will do wonders for a tight lower back.

Sanskrit Name: Yoga Nidrasana English Translation: Yogic Sleep Pose Also Called: Sleeping Yogi

To learn a much easier version of this pose read more

As a runner, I feel like it's one of the best forms of exercise. It's fairly inexpensive, I can do it anywhere, and it strengthens and tones my legs and booty. It also works my heart and lungs, increasing my endurance for other forms of exercise like biking and swimming, and it prevents me from gaining weight. With all those benefits, running also has some disadvantages. My hamstrings and hips are much tighter, which sometimes causes pain in my lower back. I'm sure you fellow runners can relate, and although stretching can definitely help, let's be honest — I know most of us aren't stretching as long or as often as we should.

That's where yoga comes in. Ashtanga yoga is the perfect complement to your running routine for so many reasons.

To find out why, read more

If our Strike a Yoga Pose series leaves you wanting more, take a gander at yogabeans! The hilarious blog features such notables as G.I. Joe, Barbie, Batman, Spider-Man, and Sir Rascus the Lego knight demonstrating Ashtanga yoga.

Yogabeans! is the brainchild of Eden Kennedy and features photos of plastic action figures doing Ashtanga yoga poses alongside some really funny commentary. Although it's impossible to pose plastic limbs into perfect form, the Sanskrit names are right on. It's a great way to learn posture names and get in a few giggles. Check it out — I promise you'll be laughing through the weekend.