Mindfulness and Yoga in Schools A Guide for Teachers and Practitioners

198 • Part III: YOGa FOr EDUCatING FOr SELF-rEGULatION aND ENGaGEMENt CHaPtEr 9: YOGa aS EMBODIED SELF-rEGULatION aND ENGaGEMENt • 199

taBLE 9.4 Contemporary Styles of Yoga

Anusara Anusara yoga was developed by John Friend, a student of B. K. S. Inyengar

(McCall, 2007). This style of yoga emphasizes limb alignment in asana, uses

props to facilitate alignment, and integrates a positive philosophy. The main

philosophical tenet is that an intrinsic energy of oneness underlies everyone

and everything. Each class is taught with a centering theme and includes

asana and meditation. Learn more about anusara yoga at www

.anusarayoga.com. It is known for free-flowing, Vinyasa movements

(Field, 2011).

Ashtanga Ashtanga yoga is based on the teachings of K. Pattabhi Jois

(kpjayi.org; McCall, 2007). Taught by Krishnamacharya, Jois is the

founder of the Ashtanga Yoga Research Institute in Mysore, India

(kpjayi.org/the-institute; Swenson, 1999). It is considered one of

the more challenging and vigorous styles of yoga and is one of the

foundational roots of power yoga (see the following; McCall, 2007).

Ashtanga involves specialized sequencing of postures, practiced in

a continuous flow, and a set of breathing exercises (McCall, 2007;

Swenson, 1999). Ujjayi breath is used during practice. Ashtanga

teachers sometimes offer a Mysore class in which students practice at

their own pace and can secure individual guidance from the teacher on

the poses on which they are working (McCall, 2007). See Swenson (1999)

for a detailed practice manual.

Bikram/Hot

Yoga

Brikram yoga was created and founded by Choudhury Bikram (www

.bikramyoga.com; McCall, 2007). Bikram yoga is practiced in higher

temperature (i.e., over 100 degrees; Field, 2011; McCall, 2007). It is a

challenging practice that involves 26 postures done in a standard sequence

(McCall, 2007). Postures are held for 30 seconds and nearly all of the asanas are

repeated twice (McCall, 2007). People who like the Bikram style enjoy the heat,

sweating, the predicable sequence, and the standardization across studios. It

is not recommended for those with high blood pressure, chronic illness such

as multiple sclerosis or fibromyalgia, cardiovascular disease, or other medical

illnesses that can be exacerbated by intense exercise in heat (Field, 2011;

McCall, 2007).

Himalayan

Institute

Yoga

The Himalayan Institute was founded in 1971 by Swami Rama of the

Himalayas. The asana practice emphasizes the therapeutic benefits of the

poses, alignment, and physical and mental health. The Himalayan Institute

offers teacher training that includes advanced studies in sequencing,

verbal and hands-on assists, subtle body anatomy, pranayama, mantra

meditation, therapeutic applications of yoga, and the study of sacred yoga

texts. See the Institute’s web page for more information: www

.himalayaninstitute.org.

Integral

Yoga

Integral yoga is considered to be a gentle style of yoga founded by

Swami Satchidananda who studied under Swami Sivananda (McCall,

2007). The practice includes asana, pranayama, chanting, meditation,

and discussions of ancient yogic texts (McCall, 2007). The school reflects

a commitment to selfless service encouraged in karma yoga, which is

attributed to the lineage (McCall, 2007). Dean Ornish’s early studies on

yoga and cardiovascular health stylized this type of yoga (McCall, 2007).

For more on integral yoga, see the Integral Yoga Institute’s web page

(iyiny.org).

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