Bikram, Iyengar, and Kundalini: Types of Yoga Part 2

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Last post I talked about Hatha, Ashtanga and Vinyasa Yoga. This post is dedicated to Bikram, Iyengar, and Yin Yoga. Of course, each style still maintains similar philosophies, but the main difference is how we practice the Yoga postures or Yoga Asana. So, without further ado, here we go!

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is a heated Yoga class, created by Bikram Choudhury. In Bikram Yoga, students practice a set sequence of 26 poses on the right and left, and practice each pose two times. There is no flowing in a Bikram class, as the poses are taught in the traditional Hatha style. If you want to teach Bikram Yoga, you have to do a specific Bikram Yoga training. The traditional training was created by Choudhury and is nine weeks long. During the training, the new teachers are taught the alignment of the poses and given a specific script to memorize. The script allows for a sense of commonality between classes and teaches the students the benefits of each pose. Once teachers are seasoned, they are encouraged to add their own voice into the script, while maintaining proper information and guidance.

Bikram Yoga can be an intense practice since the room temperature ranges anywhere from 95-108 degrees Fahrenheit. The first Bikram class I ever attended, I was encouraged to bring a Gatorade or sports drink in with me so I didn’t pass out. Needless to say, that made me a little nervous, but I survived none the less! Most of the Bikram studios I’ve been to have mirrors in the front of the class so you can check on your alignment. This is nice since most Bikram teachers I have experienced, rely on verbal cues over hands-on adjustments.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga, focusing on alignment and pranayama, or breath control. Created by BKS Iyengar, author of Light on Yoga and Light on Life, Iyengar Yoga’s largely focused on the anatomy of the body and the healing properties of the practice. Teachers who are certified in Iyengar Yoga are taught in depth about the anatomy of each pose, and how to modify the poses to suit different types of bodies. The focus of Iyengar Yoga is precision in the postures, even if the postures need to be adjusted or modified.

While Bikram and Ashtanga Yoga can be a little more dogmatic in how the poses are approached, Iyengar Yoga is far from. Iyengar Yoga is a very prop-heavy practice. Teachers often utilize bricks, bolsters, chairs, and the wall to teach the postures. The great part about utilizing props is that it makes every pose accessible to practitioners on some level. It allows the students to feel the muscular engagements needed for a pose, without injuring themselves by attempting a variation that may not suit their body quite yet.

Additionally, teachers are taught very specific tools to help them sequence classes. By understanding the purpose and benefits of the poses in depth, the teacher can create a sequence to achieve certain energetic results in the body. In addition to understanding the postures, the teachers will often utilize different types of pranayama or breathing techniques. Often times the teacher will combine a posture with pranayama in order to achieve a level of awareness or peace in the body and mind. This makes Iyengar Yoga very distinct in its approach. It is definitely a style to look into if you are seeking more information on the postures and breath.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is a unique style of Yoga practice. In Kundalini Yoga, the main focus is to awaken to Kundalini energy that resides at the base of the spine. The Kundalini is a feminine energy and is compared to a coiled serpent. It lays dormant at our root chakra and is said to be the source of our intuition. This energy can be awakened through meditation, movement, mantra, mudra, and pranayama. Kundalini Yoga is a combination of those five aspects.

There are three levels of Kundalini awakening. The three levels work with the chakra network in the body in order to clear a path for the Kundalini to rise. The first level works through the first three chakras. In the first level, we work through our individual blocks. These blocks can be caused by many factors. Two common factors are traumas and sickness that still reside in the physical body. Working through this level can be challenging and is usually where most people stay.

The second level is less about letting go, and more about receiving. The second phase of Kundalini rising works with the fourth and fifth chakra. In the second phase, we start to break apart societal expectations and norms. Letting go of the way we were taught to live, and living in a way that is compassionate and authentic. The second phase allows us to see others from a space of none judgment, acknowledging that everyone we meet is a reflection of our own ego and self.

Finally, the last phase of Kundalini awakening is the goal of Kundalini Yoga. In this stage, the Kundalini rises through the fifth and sixth chakra and out the crown of the head. These chakras connect us to our intuition and the higher self. In this phase, we will experience the most dramatic shift. A change not only in how we view life around us, but how we pursue our own lives. When the Kundalini is fully awakened, the body can move through a state of imbalance as it gets used to the new energy. It may be difficult to adjust at first, and we may experience uncomfortable physical and psychological symptoms. Once we have adjusted to this new energy, our mindset becomes less about our individual self and more about the universal self. We move into a state of compassion and service for others, acting out of selflessness.

Three more styles of Yoga in the books! All unique in their approach to the practice. Bikram is both intense and warm due to the temperature of the room. There is no flow to the practice since it is taught in the Hatha style. Iyengar Yoga is also taught in the Hatha style, but is prop heavy and slower paced. Iyengar focuses on precision in alignment and breath. Kundalini Yoga is a mixture of asana, mantra, mudra, pranayama, and meditation. Through these five aspects, the students will start to remove energetic blocks in the body so the intuitive kundalini energy can awaken and rise.

Learning and understanding each style of Yoga is important to our development as Yogis and mindful people. Sometimes we get bored with our practice and crave a little bit of change to keep going. Sometimes we get injured and need to slow down but don’t want to stop completely. Learning about each style of Yoga can aid us in our Yoga journey as we progress. Who knows, you might even discover a new favorite!

Hope this post was helpful. If you have any questions, suggestions or just want to say hi, leave me a comment or email me!

As always…

Love and Light,

Sarah