Tag Archives: power yoga

6 modern yoga styles by entrepreneurial teachers you must check out

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I’ve written about the difference between traditional yoga styles, such as Hatha and Ashtanga, and modern interpretations on this blog before. Modern yoga styles often appeal to people simply looking for the exercise benefits yoga can bring. The traditional types appeal to those looking for the wider, perhaps more spiritual and meditative experience.

There are modern takes on yoga that have been developed by entrepreneurial yoga teachers. What I mean is they have created yoga brands and business models around their own unique interpretation of yoga. Perhaps the most famous of these is Bikram Choudray who created Bikram Yoga which is now well known throughout the world as a sequence of 26 poses taught in a very hot room.

There are others that are well worth checking out. Here are 6 modern interpretations of yoga developed by such entrepreneurial teachers, all of which have touched me to different degrees on my own journey to be a yoga teacher.

modern yoga styles entrepreneurial teachers

Baron Baptiste hails from the US and promotes a style called Baptiste Power Vinyasa Yoga. It’s quite a challenging class taught in a very motivational style focussing on physical achievement. Traditional yoga trappings are kept to a minimum though there are nods to the Sanskrit names and the power of meditation.

Baptiste describes himself as follows:

“… not a spiritual, moral or religious teacher of any kind, nor is he a guru or spiritual master of any sort; he makes no claim to having any special brand of wisdom or enlightened knowledge. Baron is inspired by sharing his experience and contributing to others by teaching from the body of principles and distinctions that make up Baptiste Yoga and from his own upbringing and training in yoga and transformational practices.”

His book “Journey into Power” is well worth tracking down on Amazon.

modern yoga styles

David Farmar a graduate of the Baptiste school and teaches in Denver Colorado. I’ve included him here for two reasons. First his teaching style is amongst the best I’ve ever seen, perhaps a little loud for some, but motivational with very clear instruction. He also injects humour into his teaching which won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but I think it makes for a unique experience.

Secondly he publishes regular audio podcasts of his classes on iTunes? They show case his style of teaching and are a great source of good teaching points for teachers. The instruction is so precise you could do a whole class without needing to see him. I find this quite remarkable.

modern yoga styles

Sadie Nardini positions herself as a wellness expert and her own style of yoga is called Core Vinyasa. Check out her videos and the great articles she writes on wellness topics. Her innovation is the ability to have a consultation with her via Skype.

She describes her approach:

“My intention is to make yoga and centering simple, fun, engaging and clear, so everyone  can take charge of their own future, by getting back to living honestly, and fully, right here in the present moment.”

modern yoga styles

Shiva Rea is probably the most graceful yoga presenter I have ever seen and she has a great name. Again a prolific producer of videos, her yoga brand is called Prana Flow. And flow it does. Her sequences of poses melt together to create beautiful intricate and sometimes challenging patterns.

Shiva sums it up as follows:

“Vinyasa is a natural sequence unfolding with creative intelligence – a conscious evolution connecting each moment with unifying breath.”

modern yoga styles

A well known entrepreneur in the UK fitness market for over a decade, Jayne Nicholls introduced her brand Freestyle Fitness Yoga (FFY) specifically for people looking only for yoga’s exercise benefits. It is unique that it uses no yoga terminology at all. You won’t hear words like Warrior Two in an FFY class, nor will you have to learn Sanskrit pose names.

Jayne’s focus is on the physical benefit of the exercise. You’ll know why you are doing each pose, which muscles it works, and what effect it will have on you.

She explains her approach:

“FFY concentrates on movement, breathing, transitions from one posture to another and progression. There is no dogma, chanting or use of Sanskrit terms as postures are prescribed from a modern fitness perspective.”

modern yoga styles

Finally Yoga Today is a lovely website run by a team of American Yoga teachers. They regularly release whole classes on video in various traditional and modern styles, sometimes mixing the two. You can buy an hour long class for a couple of quid, amazing value for such quality instruction. Some of the films were shot outdoors in simply stunning locations. Yoga against a backdrop of such breathtaking scenery adds an extra special element to these lovely videos.

My favourite teacher is Adi Amar. Her precise instruction shows her deep love for what she does. Watch her teach the traditional Ashtanga Primary Series, or a modern Power Yoga sequence. She is addictive.

I have learned so much from these inspirational people, who thanks to the Internet, have been able to take their brands and teaching expertise to a worldwide audience.

Over to you: What do you think of these websites and modern yoga styles? Have you come across any other yoga styles and brands developed by entrepreneurial teachers? Please leave a comment and share your thoughts.

Are you wondering which designer clothes to wear for a yoga class?

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Some people agonise every morning about which outfit to wear for work. They may have laid awake for part of the night juggling outfits, colours, shoes, fabrics and accessories into the best combination. Then during the day at work their concern switches to what to put on for the night out. A dilemma which might occupy their attention throughout an afternoon of meetings.

But surely these deliberations do not extend to what to wear in a yoga class? Well apparently so.

which designer clothes to wear for a yoga class?

I’ve never been that fashion conscious. I knock about in jeans and a T-Shirt. I’ll dress smart for nights out and reluctantly don “black tie” for a posh do (actually the tie is usually bright magenta – but that’s another story). But I never spend long wondering what to wear in class – whether as a participant or as the instructor. I’m comfy in shorts and a sleeveless T-Shirt. If it has a Nike “swoosh” on it, fine. If it doesn’t I don’t lose sleep over it. On the whole comfy is more important than whether it has a Puma or an Adidas logo on it.

Occasionally I’ve bought branded Body Combat or Body Balance gear. I’ve found it over-priced and in some cases poorly made and unable to stand up to repeat washing. It may make me look the part but it doesn’t improve my skills as an instructor.

which designer clothes to wear for a yoga class?

So when I get asked what you should wear in a yoga class I give a practical answer. Tops and pants or shorts should be comfortable and allow a fairly wide range of motion. So not too tight. Sports bras for women (or tops that incorporate equivalent support). And sensible thigh or knee length shorts for the men because we don’t want it to all hanging out do we?

which designer clothes to wear for a yoga class?

Then I hear people wondering which designer clothes to wear for a yoga class? And when the conversation strays into brands like Fit Couture, Rogiani, Lululemon and New Balance I get quickly out of my comfort zone. Having looked at some of these websites though, I do like the look of the clothes on display. Some of it is ethically produced which fits with the yoga ethos. And I would never discourage anyone from buying something they look and feel good in.

But here’s the thing.

Wear what you want in a yoga class as long as it ticks the practical boxes. But don’t make wondering what to wear in class a reason to not to practice.

Because a logo won’t make you more flexible than you are now. Expensive hallmarks will not increase your range of movement and improve your strength and posture. Designer labels might dress you up well but they won’t improve you physically.

Yoga can do all of these things.

If you work hard (especially if it’s Power yoga, or Ashtanga yoga, or Bikram yoga), you’ll sweat just as much in a £80 top as you would in a £10 top. Put the practice first and maybe make the designer gear your reward later.

Over to you: What do you wear to your yoga classes? There are some great clothes out there. Which are your favourite brands? Please share your thoughts and comments by leaving a reply.

A few things you should expect from a Hatha Yoga class

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If you are looking to give yoga a try, a hatha yoga class is a good place to start.

Look for the hatha yoga classes on the timetable in fitness clubs like David Lloyd’s and Bannatyne’s. Or you might see adverts for hatha sessions in local community centres and church halls.

you should expect from a Hatha Yoga class

In the UK, hatha yoga is seen as a gentle form of practice, compared to the more demanding ashtanga or power yoga. In actual fact hatha yoga is the oldest type of yoga practiced by people all over the world. It is a common framework from which all the more modern interpretations have evolved.

So ashtanga yoga, which is a set series of poses performed in the same order ever time, owes as much of its roots to hatha, as power yoga (a faster series of moves which are more aerobically challenging), bikram yoga (practiced in a very hot room), and freestyle fitness yoga (taught without reference to any traditional pose names). All of them have been developed from the same starting point.

Nevertheless, hatha yoga is now often synonymous with a gentler form of practice suitable for beginners.  If you like it you can progress to a more challenging form later, but wherever you end up you will still see some common features.

Hatha yoga embraces “8 limbs”, or foundations. of which those relating to poses/exercises (asanas), breathing (pranayama), meditation and concentration are most prevalent. Sometimes the more spiritual elements are also represented but many people just seeking the physical side choose not to focus on these.

You can expect doing hatha yoga to improve your flexibility and joint range of motion, but this just one of the physical benefits. Others include:

  • Better cardiovascular efficiency
  • Better respiratory efficiency
  • Increase in breath-holding time
  • A calmer an more relaxed body
  • Better dexterity skills
  • Better posture
  • Better strength and resiliency
  • Higher energy levels

Overall it can just help improve your feeling of well being.

So what you should expect from a hatha yoga class?

Usually the class begins in a seated position with an introduction to deep breathing. Then  some seating poses, perhaps a few twists. Some classes will offer a “sun salutation” which is a sequence of exercises to warm up the body. There will be core strengthening work. You’ll try some forward and side bending poses and hip and chest opening moves. And my favourite, the standing strength exercises. You might break a sweat but this is not an aerobically challenging class.

Throughout the class you might hear names given to the exercises, “Warrior Two” for example (there are three kinds of warrior pose – and this is the second of three). Sometimes the teacher might use the ancient name for the pose (“Virabhadrasana 2“). It can be confusing but don’t let it put you off. Just concentrate on the position of your body rather than what the exercise is called.
you should expect from a Hatha Yoga class

At the end of the class you get the opportunity to lie still and return your attention to your deep breathing. This is a lovely, calming moment and allows you to reflect on what you have achieved.

So that’s what to expect from a hatha yoga class. Give it a try. It is great for your mind and for your body.

Over to you: Have you recently tried a hatha yoga class. What did you think? Have I described it well in general or did you feel differently? Are you thinking of giving it a go? Are there any other questions that you have? Please leave a comment below or send me a message.

If you want a more vigourous type of yoga, read my blog about power yoga and how challenging that can be.

“Is Yoga Safe?” – This dilemma puts off the uncertain and provides an excuse for the procrastinators

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I spend quite a bit time convincing people to try yoga. I want to convince those that think it is some wacky religion that, in fact, it is a great form of exercise. And if they want to take it further, a healthy way of life. For those, especially men, who think it is too easy, I tell them about power yoga. To people who think it might be too hard I talk to them about less arduous forms of hatha yoga.

is yoga safe?

The fact is that there is a form of yoga to suit everyone’s individual needs. But whichever you choose, your strength and flexibility will improve. You’ll find your posture gets better, and you will feel you have higher energy levels. If you explore the meditative aspects of yoga you might feel calmer and more relaxed.

Despite the obvious positive benefits people often ask, “Is yoga safe?”. In fact Google those three words and you will find it is a question asked frequently all over the world. I think this has been prompted by some alarmist articles published in the media over the last year claiming that people have been hurt doing yoga. There was a particularly doom and gloom piece in the New York Times which was quoted all across the globe in many more newspapers.

We really need to read such articles in context. Everything we do in life carries a risk. You don’t stop boiling a kettle because there is a possibility you might get scalded. You just keep your hands clear of the spout when the steam comes out. Crossing the road might not be the safest thing to do, but we look right, look left and look right again before we cross in order to be avoid being hit by a car.

Thousands of people are hurt or killed in car accidents each year but we don’t stop driving, we just buckle up and take care.

is yoga safe?

The newspaper article in question quotes a very small number of yoga injuries. Hundreds of people actually also get hurt running, weight training and cycling but the journalist did not offer this comparison. Yoga is no more or less unsafe than any other form of exercise as long as you take care as you would with anything else you do in your daily life.

Check with your Doctor first if you have any issues or injuries, or you are pregnant (and yes yoga is safe for pregnancies). And then as long as you have a good qualified teacher who can give you options to suit your own range of motion, and you don’t seek to exceed your abilities, or be pressured into exceeding them, then yoga is safe. This simple checklist is the yoga equivalent of buckling up.

Sadly articles like that one in the New York Times just give uncertain people another reason not to give yoga a try. And for those genuinely looking to procrastinate, they can provide the perfect excuse to stay on the sofa.

Over to you: If you are a participant how have you found your yoga classes? Were you put off by worries about safety? If you are a yoga teacher what do you do to over come these fears? Please leave a comment and let’s have a debate about it.

If you liked this blog here are some other yoga topics: