Explaining the differences between ashtanga yoga and power yoga is not an easy task. There is indeed much confusion about what differentiates one from the other with many mistakenly thinking that it is actually two different ways to name the same thing. To confuse matters even further, both types of yoga are vinyasa yoga. Nevertheless, there are significant differences between ashtanga and power yoga that are worth knowing.
Ashtanga Yoga: An Ancient Yoga Style
Ashtanga and power yoga are both dynamic forms of yoga referred to as vinyasa yoga. In vinyasa yoga, postures are linked to one another through flowing movements; the flow is not interrupted until the entire series is complete. It is a fast paced form of yoga generating sweating and cardiovascular activity. In ashtanga yoga, much emphasis is put on linking the movements to the breath which helps sustain the intensity of the practice as heat is building.
Ashtanga yoga consists of set series of different levels, as taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois who introduced the West to traditional ashtanga yoga. Through repetition, the student is able to gradually progress through the practice to eventually take it to the next level. SriK. Pattabhi Jois believed sweating was necessary to purify the body.
Purification of the body, control of the senses and control of the mind are the goals that dedicated ashtanga practitioners work towards. Only a handful of teachers worldwide can claim to be certified ashtanga yoga teachers. The Shri K Pattabhi Jois Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India, is the only approved teacher training programme accredited by its founder that can deliver such certification.
Power Yoga: A Modern Approach
Power yoga is a modern form of vinyasa yoga derived from ashtanga. However, contrary to ashtanga, it is not an ancient practice and is not taught as a fixed series, which gives the teacher more freedom to vary the poses and sequencing.
Because power yoga teachers have more freedom to put their own stamp on their class, these classes tend to give students more opportunities to explore a wider range of yoga postures. On the other hand, as postures are less repetitive and usually held for a shorter time, less advanced practitioners might find it more difficult to grasp the correct body alignment. Although both ashtanga yoga and power yoga provide an intensive workout, ashtanga yoga might be a better option for those prone to injuries but who still want to practice a dynamic yoga.
One popular form of power yoga is the Baron Baptiste method.
Despite the emergence of leading power yoga methods, classes tend to vary from one teacher to the other. Some will retain the spiritual element found in ashtanga yoga but a lot of them tend to concentrate exclusively on the physical aspect.
Ultimately, experimenting with both ashtanga and power yoga and trying out different classes, is the best way to comprehend each style and decide which is best suited to one’s needs or preferences.
isabelle Jean-Gilles - It is probably my passion for the written word that led me to study languages.I graduated in France with a BA in English & Spanish, ...
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