Yoga Developed in India, yoga is a 4,000 year-old philosophical and spiritual system that uses physical poses (asanas), breathing and movement to achieve strength and balance in one's body, mind, emotions and spirit. In Sanskrit, the word yoga means "yoke" or "union," in reference to yoga's goal of achieving oneness with the Divine. Hatha Yoga When most people talk about yoga in the United States, what they're really referring to is Hatha Yoga, the most popular form of yoga. Hatha Yoga uses breathing exercises, concentration and special postures (asanas) to achieve health and well-being. Many of its primary breathing exercises and postures were developed by Gorakhnath, a Hindu master yogi who lived about 1,000 c.e. HeÕs the one who came up with the famous "lotus" position most commonly associated with yoga and meditation. All of the types of yoga listed below are forms of Hatha Yoga. Anusara Yoga Anusara Yoga was founded by John Friend in 1997 and emphasizes the intrinsic goodness in all people and all things. A "celebration of the heart," Anusara Yoga honors the uniqueness of students of all levels of ability and yoga experience. One of the most popular and fastest-growing yoga styles in the world, Anusara Yoga seeks to build a harmonious and joy-filled community of dedicated and highly trained teachers and playful students, while respecting the creative freedom and individuality of all its members. Through Anusara Yoga, practitioners align with the Divine and come to recognize their true nature as co-participators in the creative flow of life. Ashtanga Yoga Ashtanga Yoga literally means "eight-limbed yoga," as outlined by the sage Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras. The eight "limbs" refers to the eight spiritual practices on the path of self-purification: Yama, moral codes; Niyama, self-purification and study; Asana, posture; Pranayama, breath control; Pratyahara, sense control; Dharana, concentration; Dhyana, meditation; and Samadhi, contemplation or meditative absorption. In Ashtanga Yoga, one synchronizes the breath with a progressive series of postures in order to produce an intense internal heat. This internal heat leads to a profuse, purifying sweat that detoxifies muscles and organs. As a result, one experiences improved circulation, a light and strong body, and a calm mind. Bikram Yoga Another form of Hatha Yoga that focuses on generating bodily heat, Bikram Yoga uses a series of 26 scientifically designed poses (asanas). These asanas warm and stretch the muscles, tendons and ligaments in a precise order, and are designed to more completely move fully oxygenated blood throughout the entire body to maximize normal functioning. Bikram Yoga is conducted in a heated studio in order to facilitate deeper stretching, to help detoxify the body, and to increase the heart rate, which results in a better cardiovascular workout. Dynamic Hatha The name alone describes Dynamic Hatha, which utilizes focused breathing work to link asanas into rapidly flowing sequences. These sequences produce a sweat-inducing heat, which releases a tremendous amount of tension. After this release, Dynamic Hatha concludes with deep relaxation and meditation. Integral Yoga Integral Yoga is a fusion of many other types of yoga, focusing on fully developing one's spiritual nature. Integral Yoga seeks to guide the practitioner to inwardly experience the spiritual aspects of the asanas. Through silence, awareness and acceptance, Integral Yoga helps relax the body and calm the mind. Integral Yoga includes chanting, asanas, deep relaxation, breathing practices and a short, silent meditation during each session. Iyengar Yoga A practice of precision and alignment, Iyengar Yoga uses varied sequences that include standing, sitting, twisting, inverting, bending both forward and backward, and supine postures to integrate the body, mind and emotions. Iyengar often uses props such as wooden gadgets, belts and ropes to help the practitioner attain perfection in each asana. By making subtle adjustments to the body in each asana, the practitioner achieves a meditative state. Kripalu Yoga In Sanskrit, Kripalu Yoga means "the compassionate union of body, mind and spirit"; this method combines the physical asanas of Hatha Yoga with the contemplative meditation of Raja Yoga. Kripalu Yoga, "meditation in motion," takes the practitioner through progressive stages of relaxation while remaining absorbed in sensation and movement, in order to consciously attune to the experience of yoga, culminating in the free release of energy. Vinyasa Yoga Vinyasa Yoga develops stamina and flexibility through an asana practice that ranges from slow-flowing to fast-moving and aerobic. Using a series of six discrete sequences, Vinyasa consciously synchronizes movement with breath, seeking awareness and alignment, and the integration of yoga with your daily life. Vinyasa Yoga has been compared to a "dynamic dance" that transforms and balances.