yoga styles

yoga has become an integral part of my life.  it grounds me, centers me and calms my nerves.  it also strengthens (and lengthens) my muscles and increases my flexibility.  quite simply, it's been good for my mind, body and soul. 

it took me a while to feel this way.  initially i was a bit intimidated by it and felt you could only get a "real" workout doing P90X or tae bo.  that said, yoga has been the absolute best thing i've done for myself and my body, and now i found myself encouraging people to give it a try.  it's not for everyone...nothing is.  but if you're curious, check it out.  you might just fall in love.

credit {here}

to help you select what class you might be interested in checking out, i've listed some of the most popular styles below.  (my personal favorites are vinyasa, anusara and hot yoga.)

vinyasa yoga - the poses flow from one to the next and are synchronized with the breath.  also called "flow yoga"

hatha yoga - poses are held (i.e. no flow)

anusara yoga - this type of yoga focuses on alignment and also emphasizes a connection with the inner self. 

hot yoga - a.k.a. bikram yoga.  a set of 26 poses done in a hot room (100+ degrees).  the heat allows the muscles to release and sweating releases toxins from the body.

svaroopa - this type of yoga is meant to be solely restorative.  when you practice you use a lot of props - blankets, blocks, etc. - to assist in the release of the spine.  (when you're done, you feel like you've had a massage.)

me in tree pose outside philly art museum

so, mavens, are you inspired to do some yoga?  what's your favorite style?

hot mess

i'm in a room.  it's oppressively hot.  over 100 degrees.  my muscles are tensed.  my heart is pounding.  sweat is pouring off me.  sounds like torture?  kinda.  hot as hell?  hell, yeah!  and, i paid for this.  (am i crazy?)

this is what it felt like (credit here)

welcome to hot yoga.  ok, it's not nearly as bad as my intro sounds, but it is hot.  damn hot.  this past week was my first-ever hot yoga (a.k.a. bikram yoga) class.  and it was, well, hot.  usually i lean towards flowing yoga - like vinyasa - where you fluidly transition through poses with moments of hold.  hot yoga is much more structured.  it's a series of 26 asanas or poses - all of which you do exactly 2x.  it's about the hold - not the flow.  and sinking into the heat (of the room & the burn in your muscles).

the 26 asanas of bikram yoga (credit here)

it was...interesting.  i definitely will go to another class sometime, but i'm not a convert yet.  i still love my lovely flowing yoga : ) 

have you tried (or would you try) hot yoga?
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don't forget to enter the shabby apple dress giveaway {here}.

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