Ashtanga Yoga
The Sanskrit word means “eight branches” - it means a practical system of eight parts. Ashtanga yoga is a traditional system of consecutive positions that we practice in a certain order. Therapeutic positions within the sequence do not change, so this type of yoga allows us to turn our attention inward over time, making the practice a fluid meditation in movement. In my time we practice the first series of Ashtanga yoga- Primary Series Ashtanga;
The clock is opened with the Sun Greetings (A and B), followed by a series of standing, sitting, and descending. The poses are held for 5 breaths by exercising Ujjayi breathing.
After the standing exercises, we do anvil asanakas with half a day of greetings, so the practice will be continuous; Mastering finger breathing helps the mind to calm down, initiating the flow of prana in the body.
Ashtanga-style yoga, which aims to tone, stretch and strengthen the whole body and soothe the mind, is a moderately fast-paced exercise, so 6 months of regular practice is recommended. Regular exercise leads to strengthening the physical body, increasing flexibility, and cleansing the body. Recommended for both beginners and advanced.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the energy of the Sun and Moon.
The word “Hatha” can be translated in two ways: “intentional” or “powerful” or yoga of activity, and “Sun” (ha) and “Moon” (tha), yoga of balance.
The Sun is our yang, the fiery male aspect - our right side, and the Moon is our yin- left side, the cool female aspect that we all have. The yang is related to the Pingala nadi and the right nostril, the yin is related to the Ida nadi and the left nostril. We need to balance these internal forces to bring our energy to the center and allow it to flow freely.
Hatha Yoga is a process (or set of processes) that creates a balance of the two main energies in us. The purpose of Hatha Yoga is to make our bodies aware, to be aware in our understanding, that is, in our minds. The secret of happiness depends on the degree to which we control our body and soul.
Hatha is an umbrella for all physical yoga postures and is usually associated with slower paced exercises in yoga studios.
Pranayama
By practicing Pranayama, we learn to control our breath. "Prana" is breath or vital energy in the body. On finer levels, prana represents the prana energy responsible for life or the power of life, and "ayama" means control. So Pranayama is "Breath Control." In Sanskrit, prana means “vital energy” or “life force”; this energy takes its breath away and is responsible for all life experiences, both physical and mental. This is sometimes called the breath itself, but this is not the case. The two are closely related but not identical. They help yoga prepare the body to receive higher levels of energy.
Pranayama helps to enhance and control prana, the vital energy attached to the breath.
A person practicing Pranayama will feel healthier, more active, and more alert; Pranayama is one of the eight parts of yoga: yama, niyama, asana, pranayama,
pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadi.
For many people, yoga is just about asana - strengthening the physical body. However, this is wrong. The whole process of yoga is the development of energies; to be finer and more delicate.