Experiencing different Yoga Schools & Styles

Yoga Discussion General Yoga
#1

hi guys,

I’m wondering if you could suggest a yoga school/style you think I may like…

I’m looking around for a yoga school/style in Toronto that has some intensity to it. I’ve been practicing basic postures at home for over a year now. Last april I took a 2 week teachers training course (part 1), to be a teacher one has to take 3 courses. I don’t plan on becoming a teacher, but I want to go as deep as I can into yoga.

I need some kind of intense physical activity, I was thinking of taking up Martial Arts again (probably Jui-Jitsu), but I want to stick to yoga.

I don’t know what style I should look out for.

Kripalu, Bikram, Ashtanga, Hatha… ?

Yesterday I tried a class of Hatha, and found it to be not as intense as I wanted it to be. Perhaps it was the teacher’s way of teaching.

Your suggestion is appreciated. :slight_smile:

#2

Out of all the yoga’s, Kundalini and Tantra Yoga are the highest. This is a sexual practice between a man and a woman where the semen is retained and transmuted inwardly without ever losing it. This awakens many latent faculties and magical properties in the organism. In the East this practice is called the “Sahaja Maithuna”.

“The Perfect Matrimony” by Samael Aun Weor is an excellent resource, he talks about the various Yogas and their differences and benefits as well as so many other things.

Just be wary of all the pseudo-yogas that abound. You don’t want to be wasting your time.

#3

Hatha is a great style!

#4

Dear Komuso,

This is a reply which I made to a previous post with a similar inquiry. I have taken yoga teacher training from an Ashtanga-based style (White Lotus in Santa Barbara and a Yoga Therapy style Structural Yoga from Mukunda Stiles (see Mukunda’s Q&A on this site)). Asking yourself what your body needs to be harmonious and what your mind needs to be harmonious may provide you with the answers you seek.

“Listed below is a link to an article from Yoga Journal which gives a nice overview of various yoga styles. What your goals are will direct the choice of yoga style which fits your needs. These are the “major” or more widely defined “styles” of yoga. Individual teachers may incorporate other body awareness techniques, such as Feldenkrais or Somatics. They may merge what they have learned from several streams of teachers. The class may include meditation or chanting. In my experience, classes at gyms tend to be less focused on the spiritual aspects and more on the physical, yoga for a work out. Yoga classes taken from outreach programs in hospitals are more focused on yoga for stress reduction. It is wonderful that you are exploring yoga, and thinking about what your own needs are. I’m sure you will find the teacher who is right for you.”

Namaste,
Chandra

Here is the link:
http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/165_1.cfm

#5

Try Bikram Yoga. It is very intense and works the entire body. 8)

#6

What would a Kundalini or Tantra Yoga class be like? How different could it be from any other yoga class?

Why is Kundalini and Tantra Yoga considered the “highest” path? What makes it the highest?

Thanks

#7

Does one need high temperature to practice Bikram Yoga at home?
Thanks

#8

Dear Komuso,

Highest Yoga Tantra should be ventured into very carefully. In the Tibetan Buddhist practice of Highest Yoga Tantra, you must be an experienced practictioner of Buddhism to venture into this and you need an experienced Guru to help you through the stages. Not to be stepped into lightly or through books.

It is also not simply a ‘Yoga’ (from this Ryan, I presume you mean ‘Asana’) but a devoted way of life as yoga is.

It is sadly misunderstood in the West as a way of improving your sex-life and this is certainly not the case.

If you are interested in Highest Yoga Tantra, I would suggest you make enquiries with a respected Guru or Lama in a Buddhist tradition or Tibetan Buddhist tradition for a better guided explanation.

As for the “highest yoga’s” or simply ‘asanas’, it is too general to label one particular style of asana as ‘highest’ as all have their own benefits and whilst Bikram or Ashtanga or Hatha is loved by one individual, it can’t be tolerated by another. To label one better than another goes away from the true essence of yoga, and that is to find self-awareness through your own practice whichever that may be.

Good luck in your search.

Namaste.

#9

You may find some answers to your questions in the post “Spirit’s Path - a sharing” by Mukunda in the new Spirit’s Path forum. Link location is:

http://www.yogaforums.com/yogaBB/viewforum.php?f=13

Namaste,
Chandra

#10

For anyone out there in Australia (or anyone wanting to visit Sydney for a Yoga Retreat) i had fantastic train from Swami Sarasvati.

The course cover a great deal and the theory was completed largely through correspondence so it was less time taxing. Plus to train under a Swami is unreal! You feel wiser for being in her presence.
Sarasvati Yoga Society & Australian Yoga Masters Association www.swami.com.au

Also if you enjoy practicing Yoga making the next step to being a teacher is fantastic. You will get such a buzz out of sharing your knowledge with others!

Good Luck.

#11

Hi!

The best way is you can try online yoga which would favour you to practice yoga from your place.The more advantageous part is you can learn it in an easiest way comparing to other methods.You can also know the benefits and practicng methods of each and every type of asana.As i have benefitted through a wider range after using this yogasanalive package.Why you cannot have this offer? you can also have it on your hand (i.e.,)on your mobile also.Try this url - www.yogasanalive.com.
You are lucky I suppose because i have searched this kind of url for a long time. After searching for a long time only i would be able to surf this kind of thing.Simply super .
Don’t miss it.Purely this is not an advertisement.Iam sharing my experience with those of my friends in yoga forums.
If you miss it you will be a looser! he…he…he…

Namaste!