Power yoga exercises

Power yoga exercises, what sets it apart from traditional yoga?

Power yoga is a non-specific label used to describe a vigorous, non-purist, fitness-based approach to Ashtanga vinyasa yoga. Power yoga fits well in the American gyms system, augmenting the cycle and step classes with an opportunity to move in a natural, fluid way while linking the breath.

Yoga Fit is a training system that specializes in this "health club yoga" style of yoga . This was my first experience with yoga and my first certification. However, I quickly realized that I needed more information about the foundation of traditional yoga. I refer to fitness yoga as checkers and traditional yoga as chess. A dramatic difference in depth, complexity and richness.

The very label of "power yoga" differentiates the intense, flowing style of yoga from the gentle stretching and meditation that many Westerners associated with yoga.

Power yoga's free flowing style affords more creativity to the teacher's repertoire than traditional Ashtanga. Classes vary widely depending on the instructor, but all have an emphasis on strength and flexibility.

Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois trained Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest, who are credited with the development of power yoga. Baron Baptiste has developed his own system and trains many athletes.

Due to it's non-purist emphasis on the asanas, Westernized use of music and English names; power yoga has developed a massive following across the globe.

How to know if is right for you? Generally it is quite "powerful" and most strong and fit students gravitate to it. Speed and difficulty of postures are other aspects to consider. As a general rule rest is allowed in any yoga class so if you try it and need to rest, just do it!

Power yoga exercises are the same postures as traditional yoga but the execution is different.

We utilize

sun salutation a sun salutation b to warm the body and develop the connection between the breath and movement. The focus is on the intention of building a strong practice based on linking posture in a fluid way.

Many power oriented exercises include working the core, lats, obliques and the lower back muscles. For example, we achieve strength in these areas while flowing in the navasana (boat) pose.

Fixing the gaze up at the sky and draw in the shoulders (pressing through the spine). Puff your chest forward. Feel how the deep core muscles draw in and down.

Pictured below are three variations, with the middle being the easiest modification.

The hardest option for you depends on your body.

We often add in the natarajasana (king of the dancers) pose.

For fun we tip the body enough to tap the floor. Repeat 5 times.

Music varies from pop, rock and roll to whatever the teacher likes. Higher intensity music gets the energy flowing and helps keep your energy up during the core workout parts of class.

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