Unleash Your Core With Power Yoga - Beginner's Guide (ePub)

The practice that is now known as power yoga originates in a traditional form of yoga known as Ashtanga Vinyasa yoga or "Ashtanga yoga" for short. The "Vinyasa" part of the name refers to the breathing part of the practice. Breathing is a key element of all yoga styles, and in particular, it is a foundation of Ashtanga yoga and Power yoga. Power yoga is a variation on Ashtanga and includes the "breathing with sound" feature of the traditional Ashtanga practice. Each move in power yoga is accompanied by an inhale or exhale of breath.

The breathing is deep and audible; with practitioners making a sound as they exhale that is compared to the sound of the ocean. This intense and vocal breathing technique gives practitioners a strong point of focus that enables them to perform each move more effectively. Power yoga, unlike other forms of yoga, is fast moving, with very little time spent in any one particular pose. This variation on the Ashtanga was created in America by two American yoga teachers around the same time. One was based in New York while the other was based in Los Angeles; both had Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, a master of Ashtanga yoga.

The purpose of developing power yoga from Ashtanga was to make the practice more accessible and attractive to westerners. The idea worked, and power yoga was welcomed into the world of gym workouts and weight loss programs. The intensity of the exercises combined with the regimented breathing patterns result in an all-round conditioning of the body. The moves are designed to increase the body's internal temperature, produce sweating and increase the circulation and flow of oxygen to the organs.

Power yoga is exceptionally good for the body, keeping the organs healthy and clean as well as reducing stress and helping to gain and maintain a healthy weight. It takes persistence and consistent practice in order to build the strength, flexibility and stamina to successfully achieve all of the poses, but starting as best you can, practicing every day, and being consistent and committed will result in your not only enjoying the benefits of power yoga, but also in building up an increasing amount of strength, balance and flexibility that will allow you to achieve more challenging poses.

Power yoga combines physical fitness and peak body conditioning with emotional and mental health and is an excellent way to improve your quality of life holistically.