A word about Hatha yoga and different yoga styles

Hatha Yoga is probably the best known and most widely practised branch of yoga in many parts of the world today. Hatha Yoga focuses on physical well being. It's aim is to balance the mind, body and spirit. This is achieved by performing asanas or postures and using breathing techniques.

Many different styles of Yoga have evolved over the years, all of which are based on Hatha Yoga fundamentals. To name some of the more well known styles, Iyengar, Astanga and Viniyoga founders were all students of Krishnamacharya, a famous teacher in Mysore India while Sivananda and Integral Yoga were founded by students of the famous guru, Sivananda.

No one style is any better than another, all have the same aim albeit a different way of achieving it. Some styles put emphasis on body alignment, some focus on coordination of movement with breath and some incorporate all of these. The style you choose is a matter of personal preference and or circumstance.

I myself have practised many different styles of yoga over the years and my own style has evolved and continues to evolve as I share my experience with and learn from other teachers, my students and my own personal practise.

Om shanti

Diane Green