What Is Power Yoga
Power Yoga is an extremely stimulating style of Yoga that, for the most part, came from the American adaptation of Ashtanga Yoga. It is said to be a great and highly vigorous warming up, muscle-building exercise regimen in the name of Yoga. This kind of Yoga practice is not advisable for beginners unless they have very athletic physiques and an athletic background. Always discuss with a Yoga instructor before starting off on a Power Yoga regime.
In Power Yoga you have very little or almost no respite between Yogasanas (poses). This is why it is such a vigorous, robust and regimen. Each Yoga posture flows into the next posture in quick succession. Many athletes practice Power Yoga on account of its ability to develop the muscles.
Power Yoga asanas (poses) are performed with Surya Namaskar (Sun Salutation) as it’s the backbone. So, if you’d like to take up the practice of Power Yoga you will have to have a minimum knowledge of Surya Namaskar. The rest is developed with persistence, sweat and a lot of patience and practice.
Some Basic Asanas
- Tadasana (Palm Tree Pose)
- Ardha Chakrasana (Half Wheel Pose)
- Pada Hastasana (Hands to feet Pose)
- Bhujangasana (Cobra Pose)
- Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Dog Pose)
These are done rapidly, over and over again, with additions and subtractions as per the body requirement. There is actually no fixed number of asanas in Power Yoga, apart from the above mandatory number. Many asanas including Vrksasana, (Tree Pose), Paschimottanasana (Seated Forward Bend) Chakrasana (Wheel Pose), Dhanurasana (Bow Pose) may be added. In fact, different schools of Power Yoga use different asanas to suit the different students. But the basic style remains the same – no resting between asanas (Yoga poses)
The biggest advantage of Power Yoga is that it handles pains and injuries incurred in sports quite fast and easily. Then again, Power Yoga is not full equivalent to a complete exercise session. Even Power Yoga practitioners are aware of the fiery internal struggle the practices involve, but, at the same time are thankful for the power derived from its practice. While many Power Yoga enthusiasts believe that ‘excellent workout routines’ are all that the style has to offer, there is lot more to it than meets the eye, which can only be experienced by practicing it. Just be prepared for a vigorous, sweaty routine and the benefits are bound to follow.
