Yesterday, I gave a presentation on Energy Medicine Yoga to a group of Health Services students and faculty at Georgia Southern Armstrong campus. There was a comment that “these days,” many people associate yoga with high intensity movement. So for the record, I would like to say that, not all yoga is “hot” or “power” yoga. These two styles have become very popular in the last few years. This wasn’t always the case.
The combination of cardio with mindfulness is a wonderful experience but it is not accessible for everyone. When yoga first came to the U.S. it was slower and focused on alignment. There was a progression that students learned before moving on within the practice. Like most things, it evolved.
If you are new to yoga, are building back strength or flexibility or want something to work deeply with the nervous system, then you may want to look for a teacher who provides: Yin, Restorative, Hatha, Therapeutic, or of course Energy Medicine Yoga.
You may find that once you build back that strength and flexibility and you learn the proper alignment for the postures that you move into or add a more flowing Vinyasa, Power or Hot class to your routine.
In my opinion, some yoga is better than no yoga. Try different styles. Learn their nuances, benefits and pitfalls. The more you experience the more equipped you will be to listen to your body and choose appropriately on any given day. The bottom line, find your style and way to practice yoga. Because when you do, your body will thank you, just like when you find the perfect pair of jeans. See you on the mat!
