What type of yoga is this?

statwaldy · July 2011

I'd really like to step up my yoga a notch - as in doing inversions and more complicated poses like eight angle pose, crane, bird of paradise etc. Which type of yoga teaches this?

soprano87 · July 2011

Hi there, it's great you want to try more advanced poses! Fyi, I teach Anusara yoga at a few places around town.

With the exception of slower yogas, such as Kundalini, Yin, Restorative, maybe Kripalu, those are pretty routine intermediate/advanced poses. I'd expect to find them regularly in most schools of Hatha yoga. We teach all of those in Anusara.

Let me know if you are looking for specific studio or teacher recs.

FluteCatT · July 2011

Where do you normally practice? You might want to see if the studios around you offer workshops. They're a great way to "jump start" your practice. Last winter my studio offered a series of advanced workshops--headstand/shoulderstand, forearm balance/handstand, arm balances, and balances/binds. I was able to apply the fundamentals I learned in the workshops into my regular practice--but I also practice at a studio where a lot of those poses are worked into the vinyasa during regular classes as well.

statwaldy · July 2011

So I want Anusara? I have been told before that Vinyasa and Power yoga will also get into more advanced poses as well.

Yes - please any recommendations you have for studios please pass that along! I'd prefer to stay in Mont Co., but will be willing to go to DC.

soprano87 · July 2011

I wasn't saying you should necessarily look at Anusara; just offering it as an option. As I said, lots of styles will include those poses in more advanced practices. I'm particularly fond of Anusara, but you should find a style you enjoy. What style have you been practicing (if you know?)

Not sure where you are in MoCo, but I can highly recommend Willow Street Yoga Center in Silver Spring & Takoma Park. That's where I study, where I did my training, & one of the places I teach.

http://www.willowstreetyoga.com/

statwaldy · July 2011

I've mostly been doing Bikram but want to take a break from that and still want something challenging. Previously I have taken power yoga classes and other classes that weren't specifically named but were more like Yoga I or Yoga Flow or something along those lines.

I have actually been to both Willow Street locations - which classes would you recommend?

FluteCatT · July 2011

Yoga class "types" can be kind of confusing because each studio names their classes a little differently.

Hatha yoga simply means there is some kind of physical practice (as opposed to spiritual practice.) Vinyasa is a form of Hatha yoga, and it means that your movements are coordinated with your breath. Bikram is an example of Hatha yoga that is not vinyasa.

If you're simply looking for a class where you'll be able to work on the poses you listed, you might find them in classes labeled vinyasa, flow, power yoga (which sometimes means hot vinyasa at some studios), anusara, ashtanga (although some types of ashtanga involve a room full of people each practicing independently with an instructor for guidance), Iyengar, Forrest. I don't have any experience with Kundalini, so all I know is that the yogis wear all white and the practice is about energy rising.Soprano--can you help with any other possible names?

Each type (and each teacher) will have a different approach, so you may have to experiment with different teachers and types until you find somewhere that you're comfortable.

You're NOT looking for yin, restorative, or pranayama/meditation classes.

I'm in VA and while I LOVE my studio, it's probably not very convenient for you. I hope you find what you're looking for!

alg576 · July 2011

Ditto what soprano said about Willow Street; I'm taking two Yoga I/II classes there right now (Wednesday and Thursday nights) - although the degree to which you get to practice those kinds of poses in at I/II class will probably depend on your teacher. Soprano could tell you more, but those may be more commonly found in a Yoga II class.

I've also been to Thrive Yoga in Rockville and enjoyed it. I liked the Hatha yoga classes with Joe, although they offer a lot of Vinyasa flow classes as well.

Good luck!

soprano87 · July 2011

WSYC has a pretty strict syllabus, and those are level II or II/III poses. But you'll want to get a session of I/II under your belt to learn the alignment principles first. It's worth it!

alg576 · July 2011

soprano87:
WSYC has a pretty strict syllabus, and those are level II or II/III poses. But you'll want to get a session of I/II under your belt to learn the alignment principles first. It's worth it!

I knew you'd have the answer! Smile

soprano87 · July 2011

alg576:
soprano87:
WSYC has a pretty strict syllabus, and those are level II or II/III poses. But you'll want to get a session of I/II under your belt to learn the alignment principles first. It's worth it!
I knew you'd have the answer!

That's why they pay me the big yoga bucks!

What type of yoga is this?

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