« AthleKinetix | Main | My ankles feel weak, how can I strengthen them? »
Power Yoga
By Christina | March 26, 2009
The final type of flow or Vinyasa yoga that this blog series will touch upon is called simply, Power Yoga. Power yoga is a general term which describes an intense, fitness-based approach to Vinyasa type yoga. Power yoga most closely resembles the Ashtanga style practice.
Power yoga became a buzz word in the mid ‘90s mainly because yoga instructors wanted to create a “user friendly” name that people in the West would gravitate towards. Ashtanga yoga was popular with those who wanted a physical “workout” type of yoga but the series is almost too challenging for beginners and was perhaps intimidating. Power yoga does not follow a set series of poses so it can be adapted to the group taking it. The commonality between the two classes is their emphasis on strength and flexibility. Power yoga allowed those who wanted a workout to participate in this mind body practice and ultimately is what brought yoga to gyms.�
The two people most credited with the creation of this format are Beryl Bender Birch, based in New York, and Bryan Kest, based in Los Angeles. Both of these instructors studied under Ashtanga master Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Baron Baptiste is also recognized as a pioneer in the power style but has his own method, which is only taught by teachers he certifies.
This type of yoga will most likely appeal to those looking for intense exercise with a minimal focus on the chanting or meditation, i.e. the spiritual facet of yoga.
Topics: Yoga |
