I have used, among other books, all of these in the picture below, plus what I have in the I-Pad to provide the most value I can offer. I hope you like it.
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| So much to read! |
At the same time this is a post, not a book, so it might be recommended that you continue your own search, take some classes, and come up with your own decision on which path to follow. In the end your own relationship with a teacher or a style is what counts. What resonates with you is the important part.
I will not concern myself with ancient history as that may sound irrelevant, however, if you are curious I can give you a one/two paragraph of the overall, very, VERY broad history of yoga:
The Vedas, Samkya, Patanjali, the Baghavad Gita and The Hatha Yoga Pradipika are perhaps the five mountain peaks in the histogram of yoga. These are sacred texts that contain truths as realized by ancient sages.
There is mention of yoga in the Vedas. Samkhya was the first style of phislosophy to leave some clear tracks, Patanjali in his response to the spread of Buddhism compiled all knowledge he mastered and experienced into the Yoga Sutras (which contain very little mention of asanas or poses), the Gita looks at the yoga of action of being in the world but not of it, and the Hatha Yoga Pradipika explains in detail the daily practices of a yogi in a systematic way, including asanas, pranayama, etc.
All five philosophies/texts would take a life time to learn! let alone understand. So let’s get down to business:
TIRUMALAI KRISHNAMACHARYA
Last century the world was lucky enough to come accross a master yogi called Tirumalai Krishnamacharya. At the age of 16, young Krishnamacharya had a dream with an ancestor of him about yoga, and he followed his heart and what he saw in the dream. Read about the dream here. He went on to study with a guru for 7 years in Nepal and was told at the end to go out on the world and spread the word of yoga.
He did.
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| Krishnamacharya |
While he was with his guru in the mountains he learned asanas and pranayama and studied the ancient texts, like the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Krishnamacharya was a fierce teacher, feared even, by his early students, and “mellowed out” as his son tells us, as he grew older. Yoga was his life and he took it very seriously, with enormous dedication and discipline. We owe much of what yoga is today to him. Here are 8 stories that show the kind of man he was.
Further reading on Krishnamacharya: See Grimmly’s articles on his translation of the Yoga Asana Galu (very interesting), or his books Yoga Makaranda (free here) and Yoga Rahasya.
He had 5 very prominent students, who were responsible for the propagation and popularization of yoga up to today, you will likely recognize the following styles (in bigger letters, smaller letters are for their watered-down or spin-offs derivations that we have in America):
ASHTANGA YOGA – K PATTABHI JOIS
Sri Krishna Pattabhi Jois was one of those five young students of Krishnamacharya in the 1930’s. He then went on to create his own yoga institute -in Mysore, South India- and called the style: “Ashtanga Yoga”. The term “ashtanga” means eight limbs, and comes from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, chapter two and is intended for people like me who cannot simply “get” the goal of yoga right away (example it is hard for me to just remain fully present without mind projections and therefore I need a system which is outlined in chapter two with the eight steps).
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| Madonna doing a pose from the intermediate series |
His style exploded in popularity in the 90s with celebrities like Madonna, Gwynette Paltrow and William Defoe practicing it and appearing in films to talk about it.
Ashtanga yoga is a very specific style. It is practiced 6 times a week, avoiding Saturdays and the days of full and new moons (and ladies holidays for women). The practitioner arrives in what is called a “Mysore room” named after the birth place of the style, rolls out his or her mat and practices what he or she knows, up to where she can go. The teacher will come around and adjust each one individually. See: 21 things I wish someone told me before I started practicing Ashtanga Yoga
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| Sharath Jois (grandson of Jois) on the Sunday Intermediate Led Class in Mysore, India |
When a pose is “mastered” and I say mastered in quotes because they are really always a work-in-progress but can somehow get to a point where they are “stable”, then the teacher assigns a new pose.
Nobody in the world can authorize or certify a teacher to teach Ashtanga Yoga except the source, the Asthanga Yoga Research Institute in India, meaning that those courses offered with a “yoga alliance” registry opportunity do not qualify or count in the Ashtanga world. A teacher of Ashtanga, authorized or not (he or she may be in the process, perhaps in his fourth or fifth trip to India) is usually someone highly trained. Of course it is always good to be careful when selecting a teacher. Regardless of style. See how to select a good teacher.
Ashtanga Yoga is a practice that has the objective of focusing first on the asana practice, to sweat the body and purify it, and at the same time practice the norms or basic tenants to purify our lives, practice the yamas and niyamas.
Although physically challenging the goal is not really to get to the next pose but rather to go deeply within, to experience the now, to purify outer and inner life.
Why did I name this style first? Because it is the one I practice and my heart is in it. It has lineage and a long tradition, and it works for me!
If you are interested in visiting the “source” in Mysore, here is a post with all the information about how to travel to get the most out of the experience, how to prepare, when to go, what to bring etc.
For more on Ashtanga Yoga, see 32 Suggestions: How to Get Started with Ashtanga Yoga
POWER YOGA
Power Yoga is basically an exact copy of Ashtanga Yoga only a teacher always leads the class. The system was designed by Beryl Bender Birch who was struck when she saw a senior practitioner go through the series. She decided to bring it to the United States and re-named it “Power Yoga” because, in her own words:
“Most people wouldn’t take a class called Ashtanga Yoga because they had no idea what it mean. Power Yoga, on the other hand, was something Americans could relate to an know that they’d get a good workout”
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| a Power Yoga Class |
Maybe that is the biggest difference. Power Yoga attempts to be a “workout”, but we must keep in mind that the goal of yoga is to “end the delusions of the mind, to become present, free of the monkey mind that jumps into the future or the past”. Nevertheless, it is, of course, a good introduction to yoga if the instructor is good (as would always be the case)
This style can be found in many gyms as well as yoga studios in America. For more on Power Yoga read this book.
JIVAMUKTI
Created in 1984 in New York City, Jivamukti offers a blend that seeks for the goal of yoga (profound peace, full presence and discrimination), not just the poses. It is based on Ashtanga Yoga and adds elements of devotion, chanting, and reading of the main scriptures mentioned at the top. David Life and Sharon Ganon are dedicated students who have travelled the world and taught for a long time. That they have a style they own is interesting. Read their wiki for more.
The style is not only based on Ashtanga but also contains elements of Vinyasa and even the Sivananda tradition.
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| Sharon and David, founders of Juivamukti |
Their classes have different levels like Beginner Vinyasa or Open classes where they focus on different things depending on the week of the month. For example one week it could be emphasizing alignment, another week focusing on inversions and meditation, etc.
They also have a “fast-paced-get-in-shape- “Warrior” style of class designed for people on the go who only have one hour to focus on their practice.
Jivamukti has centers internationally here is their website.
IYENGAR
BKS Iyengar was the second of the five highly recognized students of Tirumalai Krishnamacharya, although by his own saying he only studied with the master for 12 days (see this article), but he was his brother in law…
BKS was very sick as a child and had to work really hard at getting healthy. He developed a system of yoga based on his own research and long, dedicated practice. He reportedly spied on Krishnamahcarya because he would not teach him “pranayama” or the fourth limb of yoga.
His book “Light On Yoga” which contains more than 600 photographs was a tremendous success in the west because there was nothing like it when it was first published in 1966. Iyengar became widely popular and to this day there is a 2 year waiting list to practice with him at the source, in his institute in Pune.
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| Iyengar who is now in his 90s and still practices daily |
Certified Iyengar teachers go through a very rigid system of training that focuses on precision and alignment and working slowly through the poses.
The MAJOR DIFFERENCES between Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga is that (1) Iyengar uses props (ropes, blocks, blankets, etc) while Ashtanga prefers to use nothing so that the body will work itself towards the pose (although nothing is set in stone and sometimes a prop may just be needed which is fine).
(2) Ashtanga yoga uses vinyasa or fluid ways to get into each posture and ways to get out of each posture, it has a method or a little choreographed dance one could say, while Iyengar does not. Apparently this one of the things that Krishnamahcarya disapproved of Iyengar doing.
Also (3) Iyengar classes are “designed” while Ashtanga yoga has 6 pre-determined sequences of poses that one will repeat until mastered progressing one pose at the time.
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| An Iyengar class using props |
In an Iyengar class you will find a challenging yet probably slow paced set of asanas. The focus will be on the angle of the feet, the engagement of all muscles, the proper twist etc. They have levels and grow in difficulty.
FAMOUS TEACHERS IN AMERICA:
In the West we have Patricia Walden as a famous figure representing the Iyengar techniques. Also Rodney Yee is a student of Iyengar.
ANUSARA
Anusara yoga was created in the early 1990’s by John Friend who was a student of Iyengar. The system has fallen out of grace ever since allegations of sexual and other misconducts from the part of its leader (Friend) appeared in the media early this year.
To tell the truth I have never been able to understand what Anusara is all about, but they work with the principles of alignment.
TKV DESIKACHAR
Desikachar is the third of the famous students of Krishnamacharya and HIS SON.
In recent years he has appeared in many public forums reinforcing that his father taught yoga individually and that this was very important to him. Teaching yoga is all about finding out the type of person who is actually coming to the class, who they are, what they do, what they need.
When Desikachar decided to create a certification program for students to get his validation (as is the case with Iyengar and the Ashtanga system) he had serious doubts. So much so that on that very first program on which he was going to “certify” students he backed away and decided not to go that route. (Leslie Kaminof tells that story in this video)
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| Desikachar with his father |
As far as I am aware there are no “Desikachar” classes offered in gyms or studios, but I could be wrong. The main institute is the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram located in Chennai.
VINYASA KRAMA: SRIVATSA RAMASWAMI
Ramaswami is the fourth of the five very famous students of Krishnamacharya. He is the son of a prominent business man in India who had such luck that his father asked the master to come to his home to teach them yoga.
He studied one-on-one with Krishnamahcarya for 35+ years, and not just the asanas. He says (I heard him directly in one of his workshops) that a class with the Master would AWAYS include asanas and then some pranayama, some sense withdrawal and meditation. Every class. Here is an interview of Ramaswami about his studies with Krishnamahcarya.
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| Click picture to look inside Ramaswami’s book |
Vinyasa Krama means sequences done in a certain order and with with proper breathing. Ramaswami is probably one of the people responsible for the popularization of the term Vinysasa through his book: The Complete Book of Vinyasa Yoga which contains 12 Routines of yoga to be done in different days, and some sub-routines.
I have not seen classes on Vinyasa Krama in gyms or studios but that could be changing soon, let’s hope!
For more on this technique including the wonderful workshops that Ramaswami runs (highly recommended is the one of the Yoga Sutras as he teaches them exactly how his guru taught him) can be found here.
All the styles named below are a derivation of Vinyasa. What these styles have in common is that they have a teacher who “creates a sequence” for each class, and it will make it flow in a smooth way synchronizing it with the breath. There are many combinations in which the words have been used, but the main, traditional meaning gets lost and the classes become more of an instrument to “have fun” and “get a workout” and “breathe deeply” nothing wrong with that, but perhaps forgetting a bit the goal of yoga.
VINYASA
There is a big confusion about what is the difference between Asthanga and Vinyasa so much so that I created a post that explores the difference in depth. See the following post for the difference between Asthanga, Vinyasa and Vinyasa as is perceived in America.
FLOW
Flow refers to the poses running as a little “dance” of sorts, with postures that flow with the breath, for example in the inhale you raise your arms, on the exhale you lower your arms, and the class … flows.
Flow classes just like vinyasa classes offered in gyms usually contain music, which distracts the mind. The pro part about this is that some people do not quite want the deepness of yoga in its full manifestation and prefer more of a social event to begin with, where there is music, candles, and perhaps conversation at the end.
VINYASA FLOW
These are just ways of rearranging the terms but they mean the same as just flow. See the link under Vinyasa for a deeper understanding.
YOGA TRANCE DANCE
I don’t know much about this style other than it is done with music and almost as in dancing. It seems to me that it deviates a bit from yoga, but it works for some people and the class is popular.
A.G.MOHAN – YOGA THERAPY
A.G. Mohan is the fifth of the very famous students these days, of Krishnamacharya. He studied with Krishnamacharya directly in his latest years and his focus is mostly on using yoga as a healing technique and for preservation of the body in health. There are no classes in America given in this style but he runs workshops around the world and in his institute.
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HATHA YOGA
Hatha Yoga is directly derived by a book written in the 1500s called “The Hatha Yoga Pradipika”. Within it there is the description of how to prepare the body (through cleansings and the practices of asana and pranayama) for the higher forms of meditation.
Pradipika means dictionary, and Ha-Tha means sun-moon, or prana and apana or the in-taking and outgoing energy to and from the body.
In America usually a Hatha yoga class means that it is a gentle class, done slowly (sometimes really, really slow) and with basic poses. It can also mean that the teacher will be blending styles and traditions so it is a good idea to find out what happens in the particular studio your planning to visit on that class.
A NOTE ABOUT HATHA DERIVATIONS: You could probably say that all styles derived a bit from Hatha and you probably would not be wrong.
RESTORATIVE
Restorative classes tend to use Hatha yoga at its base and are gentle, slow and aiming the postures chosen to relax and rejuvenate the body.
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| A restorative yoga class |
INTEGRAL YOGA
Integral Yoga, created by Satchitananda in 1966 offers classes in this style. They come in 3 levels with the first one going through a very gentle routine, with corpse pose in between poses whenever the system is fatigued and ending with forceful exhaling, or a preparation for pranamaya. The classes grow in challenging level as you to the level 2 or 3, but the format never changes, first poses then forced exhaling at the end and a long savasana, or rest pose.
BIKRAM
Bikram Choudhury is a famous yoga instructor in the United States that popularized his system of 26 postures done in a heated room (over 100 degrees) due to his colorful personality and ego-centric flares. The class runs always through the same 26 poses as you sweat heavily in front of a mirror. He now also has a second, more advanced set of postures.
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| Bikram leading a class in a very hot room |
Friends of mine swear by this system, they tell me they have lost weight, feel great and get a lot more energy. I am not good in enclosed spaces at high temperatures, so it is not for me, but it works for others. So be it.
SIVANANDA
Sivananda was a medical doctor turned yoga teacher. He has writen a wealth of publications which are available for free reading at his foundation.
He has many disciples in the West, and his retreats and teacher trainings still run all over the world. Based on Hatha Yoga he has an emphasis on pranayama and on more obscures yoga techniques like nidra (yoga of sleep).
FAMOUS DISCIPLES:
SWAMI VISHNUDEVANANDA
SATYANANDA SARASWATI
Satyananda Saraswati is a prolific writer from whom you can read Yoga Nidra, or the wonderful book “Asana Pranayama Mudra Bandha”.
SWAMI RADHA
Swami Radha was a dancer in her 40’s living in Canada when she had a vision of Sivananda appearing to her. She went to him and studied with him. She came back and founded the Yasodhara Asrham in a paradise lake in British Columbia about an hour flight north of Vancouver. A wonderful place to go on retreat, eat healthy, reflect and regroup. I did a 10 day retreat there.
KUNDALINI
Kundalini is a style that focuses on the enrgy of the body, on making it strong so as to help the serpent force that is locked at the base of the spine to raise and make us enlightened. Here is their wiki.
I took one class a while ago, and was surprised by the level of energy and the strong breathing suggested by the teacher. We were made to sit down and come back up a few times, so much so that I remember getting tired. I suppose each class still comes down to who is teaching.
WHO AM I? RAMANAH MAHARSHI
I call Ramanah Maharshi a “chapter one” kind of guy. He takes the first yoga sutra of the first chapter and stays there, there is no need for anything else, we can stop the fluctuations of the mind and come to the present moment, be fully aware, right now. Period.
He suggests that instead of taking the long way to the state of yoga through asanas pranayama etc, that we simply just work at it all the time by asking ourselves the question: “WHO AM I”? BUT, and there is a but, NEVER LISTEN TO WHAT YOUR MIND ANSWERS BECAUSE WE ARE NOT THE MIND.
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| Ramana Maharshi stopped “thinking” at the age of 16 |
Disciples of Maharshi report that in three years of intense questioning they can get to be present, discerning what they are rather than being confused as we all are by thinking we are the body, or our possessions or what our mind tells us we are.
We are not. But the answer can only come in the form of an experience, such is the nature of the beast. It was either Maharshi or one of his students who suggested that the physical poses of yoga were like a bird climbing a tree to get to the sky, as opposed to just directly flying into the sky.
A FAMOUS DISCIPLE of Maharshi, although a bit closeted is ECKART TOLLE, whose books I highly recommend.
MORE STYLES:
Here are some other styles, frankly I got a little tired, there are so many!
Yin Yoga – Hatha means Taoism
Kripalu
Phoenix Rising
Ananda
Kayvaliadham
White Lotus
ISHTA
Viniyoga
What style do you practice?
, a really good read. 
, and at the same time, if I am honest, also a bit disappointed, but in a good way. I find that good ol’Richard has tricked me… or not. In any event, I am grateful he did. 
Consider for example when Mohan attends his first lecture with him:
ClaudiaYoga 