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At many places in abroad and India too Yoga Practices
are performed as Exercises. The Yoga is a spiritual science. The aim
should be to the Moksha, Liberation or "Kaivalya" as rightly described
by sage Patanjali. It is felt that yoga is presented in many attractive
trade names to market it. We should take cognizance of such undesired
ways and try to restrain ourselves and others.
1.1: Mallakhamba Yoga: If you look towards
this picture you will see a youth doing very dynamic and skill full
presentation on Mallakhamb. No doubt it is wonderful and worth of
appreciating it.
"Mallakhamb is also a very nice Yoga Sport.
Mallakhamb Yoga is Korunta Yoga. In fact Mallakhamb is a traditional
Indian sport in which a gymnast performs poses and feats while hanging
from a vertical wooden pole or rope. The word "Mallakhamb" is composed
of Malla, which denotes a gymnast or a man of strength, and khamb, which
is a pole. Mallakhamb, therefore, can be translated in English as pole
gymnastics.
Originally The Mallakhamb was introduced as a
supporting Exerciser for Wrestling. It was invented by Balambhattdada
Deodhar in somewhere between 1800 to 1810. There are three main
variations of Mallakhamb.Pole Fixed, Hanging made up of teak or sheesham
or Rope. The participant performs various acrobatic poses and feats
while hanging on the pole.
1.2: Power yoga: It is a general term used in
the West to describe a vigorous, fitness-based. The term "power yoga"
came into common usage in the mid 1990s, when several yoga teachers were
looking for a way to make yoga more accessible to western students.
Unlike Ashtanga, power yoga does not follow a set series of poses.
Therefore, any power yoga class can vary widely from the next. What they
have in common is an emphasis on strength and flexibility. The people
began to see yoga as a way to work out. Power yoga brought yoga into the
gyms of America.
Two American yoga teachers are most often credited with the near
simultaneous invention of power yoga
However, power yoga will most likely appeal to people who are already
quite fit, enjoy exercising, and want a minimal amount of chanting and
meditation with their yoga. (Whereas HathaYOGA says: Yuva Vriddhoti
Vriddho va Vyadhito Durbalo pi Va...)
1.3: Bikram or hot yoga: It is a series of
yoga poses done in a heated room, which is usually maintained at a
temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (approximately 40 degrees
Celsius). Yoga at this temperature promotes profuse sweating, which is
believed to help rid the body of toxins, keeps the body very warm, and
more flexible.
Bikram yoga works toward wellness, restoration and
rejuvenation. The heated studio facilitates deeper stretching, prevents
injury, and relieves stress and tension. Participants are guided through
a series of 26 postures during which the heart, lungs, circulation,
muscles, brain activity and mental capacity are all affected. There are
two descriptions of the 26 exercises and they are asanas (postures) and
pranayama (breathing exercises). It is common for beginners to
experience dizziness and nausea. Beginners may feel faint or pass out.
It is encouraged to take breaks as needed if a participant is feeling
lightheaded. (Advisement brochure at Bikram Yoga, Glen Allen, Virginia)
Controversy has surrounded copyright and franchising
of Bikram yoga. Bikram has enforced claims of copy right and trademark
protection, most notably his sequence of 26 Asanas. His lawsuit has
drawn protest from some North American yoga practitioners. In addition,
his claims have incited numerous Indian historians and scientists to
catalogue various yoga poses documented in ancient texts. Some yoga
practitioners protest the application of copyright, franchising, trade
marking and personal profit to the yoga tradition.
Bikram and Bikram yoga practitioners have been
criticized for their endorsement of competitiveness in yoga, on the
grounds that it deviates from yoga's true nature and purpose.
Possible Risks
There are a number of possible risks associated with performing Bikram
and other forms of 'Hot' Yoga. Risks specific to Bikram and other forms
of 'hot' yoga include an excess strain exerted on muscles due to the
heat and relaxed muscles which may result in muscles or ligaments being
stretched beyond their biological limits and getting damaged.
Dehydration, heat exhaustion, heat stroke, and injuries resulting from
fainting are also among the possible risks from performing Bikram and
other forms of 'Hot' Yoga. Practitioners may experience one or none of
these, but it is worth knowing the risks.
1.4 Vinyasa Yoga: Literally translated, 'vinyasa'
means 'to arrange' or 'to place in a special way'. But often, it is
simply translated as 'flow'. It refers to Movement from one asana to the
next follows the breath. The result is a smooth, flowing class that
becomes almost dance-like.
Although it has evolved from Ashtanga yoga over time
and is based on the 'surya namaskar' and teachers develop their own
sequences using different asanas and creative transitions.
There are now many different styles of vinyasa that
depend not only different yoga styles, but also dance and martial arts. |