The Department of Health and Human Services has designated September as National Yoga Month to educate about the health benefits of yoga and inspire a healthy lifestyle.

More than just a physical exercise program, yoga can help people achieve clarity and harmony in life. You don’t need any special skills to begin practicing yoga. Yoga offers the opportunity to improve your mind, body and spirit; improvements in your balance and poses will come naturally as you practice.

Yoga is a healthy discipline

A friend once told me she wanted to find a yoga class that would maintain her interest. She had attended many classes, but she got bored with them, either from a lack of connection with the teacher, the type of yoga, or because it just wasn’t the “right” time.

There is a plethora of wonderful yoga classes and amazing teachers at the gym I go to. I attended a few yoga classes because I thought I needed the calming affect they provide, but I never felt I accomplished anything. Sometimes I felt more stressed because it wasn’t the high-intensity exercise I was used to.  What I didn’t realize is that there are many kinds of yoga available, from the meditative, calming kind to more physically demanding classes.

Styles of yoga

Hatha yoga and Yin yoga are good choices for beginners. These are both slower paced and use the classic approach to breathing and exercise. If you want to relax, these styles are for you.

If you are looking for yoga that is slow and comfortable, try Iyengar yoga. This kind focuses on precise movements. Poses are held for longer periods of time while focusing on controlled breathing. This class often uses props to help hold your pose.¹

Kundalini yoga is equal parts spiritual and physical. This type really works your core and breathing, with fast-moving, invigorating postures and breathing exercises.¹

Ashtanga yoga is for the advanced person. These postures are more physically demanding, with standing and floor postures. ¹

Vinyasa yoga is the most athletic of yoga styles. The movement is coordinated with your breath and you move to flow from one pose to another. Jivamukti yoga is similar to this style, but infused with Hindu spiritual rituals. ¹

If you want to sweat, Bikram yoga may be for you. This yoga is done in a sauna-like room that is set to 105 degrees.

Cleanse your mind and really relax after a hard day’s work with restorative yoga. The name itself describes this type of yoga.

Yoga can be great for pregnant mothers. Prenatal yoga is adapted specifically for moms-to-be in all trimesters. This style really prepares Mom for labor and delivery by focusing on breathing, pelvic work and bonding with the baby.

My daughter and I signed up to participate in a goat yoga class. My daughter has a fascination with goats, and I love yoga, so I thought we’d combine the two. It was fun! The owner walked around placing a baby goat on the backs of people, upon request. Goat yoga is definitely a trend that is happening all over the United States.

Not into goat yoga? Try out yoga in the company of puppies, the latest trend! This is a great way to do Downward-Facing Dog while getting kisses from man’s best friend, and lowering your stress levels. Also, proceeds often benefit animal rescue charities.

A new magic

I continue to participate in yoga, not only to test my body, but also to test my spirit.  Through yoga, I’ve discovered a new magic within me and I’ve changed my outlook on life. Yoga allows me to bring peace to any chaos from the day.

As you know, PURE is a big proponent of exercise, for both our health and well-being. Yoga is just one way to exercise in a fun way that will help you feel great and stay fit.

¹https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-11-major-types-of-yoga-explained-simply

Jennifer Evans
PURE Marketing Copywriter