Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is the original form of Yoga that deals with physical exercises. It is about conscious, powerful postures that are meant to supply energy to the body and mind. The movements are slow and relaxing.

Nevertheless, muscles are strengthened, flexibility is improved and the sense of balance is trained. The aim is to reach a relaxed state of inner balance. Breathing exercises and meditative elements can also be part of Hatha Yoga. There are different levels of difficulty and subforms of Hatha Yoga.

Sivananda Yoga

Sivanada Yoga has been around since the 1960s and was influenced by a student of Swami Sivanada. It integrates different yoga styles and also contains spiritual meditative elements. Sivanada Yoga is based on the five elements: correct movement (Asana), breathing (Pranayama), relaxation (Savasana), nutrition (Vegetarian), positive thinking (Vedenta) and mediation (Dhyana).

For the ultimate enlightenment the 4 main paths of yoga (see above) can be used as spiritual guidelines. Sinavada Yoga is a popular form of yoga in the USA and Europe. A yoga class is rather quiet and meditative but also has energetic, activating elements.

Sahaja Yoga

Sahaja Yoga is a form of yoga developed by an Indian physician (Shri Mataji) who supplemented her anatomical and physiological knowledge with spiritual approaches and developed Sahaja Yoga. Self-realization plays an important role in Sahaja Yoga. The individual chakras and channels are also important.

In Sahaja Yoga, inner peace and balance is found primarily through meditation. The Sahaja Yoga System is based on the teaching of the 7 basic chakras and the energy channels that influence the flow of energy in the body. There are connections between the chakras and medical anatomical structures. By meditating to a specific chakra, energetic blockages can be released and the energy flow can be brought back into balance.

Surat Shabd Yoga

In Vinyasa Yoga the yogi enters certain postures, which he then leaves powerfully and dynamically with the breath impulse to move on to the next posture. Breathing and movement should be in harmony so that the mind can relax. Through the sequence of movements and breathing the yogi comes into a meditative state, strengthening and mobilizing his body.

The thoughts should flow and be released until they merge into a whole. At the same time, the physical exercises train balance, strengthen breathing and respiratory muscles and improve one’s own body awareness. Vinsaya Yoga can also be performed with light musical accompaniment and thus gets a slightly choreographic character.