Yoga, a widely embraced physical and spiritual discipline, has garnered immense popularity among the American populace seeking to enhance their overall well-being. Given the expansive realm of yoga and its various manifestations, individuals often inquire about the optimal style of yoga practice and whether certain styles surpass others in efficacy and value. I get asked what type of yoga I teach/practice.
Addressing these intriguing inquiries warrants careful examination. The term “types” of yoga primarily encompasses two facets: a) explicit variations such as hot yoga, Vinyasa yoga, Kundalini yoga, Yin yoga, Hatha yoga, Ashtanga yoga, Kriya yoga, power yoga, and Pranayama yoga, among others; and b) lineages associated with notable schools and organizations, including Iyengar, Bihar School, Isha yoga, Integral yoga, Divine Life Society practices, Ananda Marga, Transcendental Meditation, Art of Living, which entail the assimilation of classical paths comprising elements of Jnana, Bhakti, Raja, and Karma yoga.
The former category often arises as a response to market demands, which may foster confusion regarding their origins and authenticity. In contrast, the latter category predominantly revolves around Guru-lineage systems that preserve and transmit practices and philosophies through established schools and organizations. Consequently, the former category lacks a necessary anchoring within a specific lineage, while the latter incorporates traditional aspects associated with classical yoga. The term “classical yoga” is increasingly gaining recognition among dedicated practitioners striving to discern genuine practices from the more unconventional and entertaining forms of so-called yoga, such as goat yoga, beer yoga, wine yoga, naked yoga, Christian yoga, secular yoga, or those intertwined with holiday themes like reindeer yoga. It remains challenging to establish any comparative assessment between such market-driven concepts and classical yoga due to their apple-orange-type disparate natures.
Another intriguing question pertains to the comparative merits of various lineages within the latter category. This inquiry carries inherent subjectivity, as the evaluation hinges upon an individual’s resonance with a particular Guru and lineage. Nevertheless, scientific investigations have endeavored to explore diverse yoga styles. A notable study conducted in 2016 scrutinized 52 distinct yoga styles, encompassing an analysis of 306 Randomized Controlled Trials (Cramer et al., 2016). The study predominantly focused on Hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga, Pranayama, and the Integrated Approach to Yoga Therapy. The comprehensive review determined that no single style of yoga exhibited unequivocal superiority over others. Remarkably, out of the 306 studies, 277 yielded favorable conclusions regarding the benefits of yoga compared to control groups (2016).
Scientific examination demonstrates the absence of a superior yoga style among the examined lineages. However, it is crucial to note that the aforementioned study did not explicitly differentiate between types and lineages, and the non-physical benefits of yoga remain challenging to quantify through scientific means. Moreover, longitudinal studies examining the enduring advantages of yoga practices remain scarce. One significant challenge in yoga research lies in the absence of a consensus regarding the definition of yoga itself. Just as the aforementioned study distinguished pranayama (breathing techniques) as distinct from asana (postures), a tendency exists within research and practice to fragment breathing exercises and meditative practices from the broader understanding of yoga. Yoga encompasses the amalgamation of various facets, including Yama (discipline), niyama (observances), asana (postures), pranayama (breathing techniques), pratyahara (withdrawal of senses), dhyana (meditation), dharana (concentration), and samadhi (equanimous transcendence). Also, the person administering the practice for research studies matters in numerous ways.
Drawing from personal experiences, it is advisable to pursue the style of yoga into which one has been initiated, as the seeds of that particular lineage have been meticulously tailored to suit the individual’s needs. Although a disconnection persists between popular perceptions of yoga and the objectives researchers aim to substantiate, the 2016 study indicates that there is no definitive right or wrong among the 52 observed yoga categories. In essence, any form of yoga holds inherent value and surpasses the absence of yoga practice altogether.
Let this discourse inspire individuals to embark on their yoga journey, even if it’s commencing with the practice of asanas (postures). Seekers will no doubt find their way to authenticity. Namaste.
References:
Cramer, H., Lauche, R., Langhorst, J., & Dobos, G. (2016). Is one yoga style better than another? A systematic review of associations of yoga style and conclusions in randomized yoga trials. Complementary therapies in medicine, 25, 178-187.
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