Yoga

Today, yoga seems like the hottest trend but Yoga originated from India more than 3000 years. In Sanskrit, yoga means to unite, the mind, body and spirit.

Besides including physical exercise, yoga is also a lifestyle practice for which exercise is only one component. Training the mind, body and breathing as well as getting connected to ones spirituality are the basis for a yoga lifestyle.

Major branches of a yoga include Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Hatha Yoga.

The physical part of the yoga lifestyle is called hatha yoga, which is the most popular in the United States. 

Hatha yoga focuses on asanas, or poses. A person who practices yoga goes through a series of specific poses while controlling his or her breathing. Some types of yoga also involve meditation and chanting.

There are many different types of Hatha Yoga, including:

  • Ashtanga yoga – this is a vigorous, fast-paced form of yoga that helps to build flexibility, strength, concentration, and stamina. When doing Ashtanga yoga, a person moves quickly through a set of predetermined poses while remaining focused on deep breathing.
  • Gentle yoga - focuses on slow stretches, flexibility, and deep breathing.
  • Kundalini yoga Kundalini yoga uses different poses, breathing techniques, chanting, and meditation to awaken life energy.
  • Iyengar yoga - This type of yoga focuses on precise alignment of the poses. Participants use "props" like blankets, straps, mats, blocks, and chairs.
  • Bikram yoga - is also known as Hot Yoga, this is practiced in rooms that may be heated to more than 100° Fahrenheit and focuses on stamina and purification.
  • Restorative yoga - This yoga allows the body to fully relax by holding simple postures passively for extended periods of time.
  • Vinyasa/power yoga - Similar to Ashtanga yoga, these are also very active forms of yoga that improve strength, flexibility, and stamina.

All Spas/Resorts incorporate yoga in their programs. There are also Centers that offer a comprehensive, inspired and transformational Yoga Teacher Training. You will gain the knowledge, skills and confidence needed to integrate yoga naturally in your lifestyle or become a Yoga Teacher.