Yoga is not “One Size Fits All”

There are a wide variety of styles popular in the US today, including Anusara, Ashtanga, Bikram, Kripalu, Kundlini, and Iyengar. Traditional yoga styles like these offer a comprehensive approach to yoga discipline – otherwise known as the “eight limbs” of yoga. The eight limbs incorporate the physical practice of yoga postures (asana ) with other practices including ethical observances, breath work, and meditation. In recent years, exercise styles strongly influenced by yoga asana have also become popular, including YogaFit and yoga / pilates hybrid classes.

For the purpose of this discussion, I would prefer to highlight the differences between comprehensive, traditional yoga styles, rather than asana-influenced exercises that are interested solely in the physical practice. As yoga guru B.K.S. Iyengar says, “Practice of asanas without [ethical observances] is mere acrobatics.”* Such exercise classes may serve as an appropriate introduction to those who would like to explore the benefits of a yoga practice, but they are not “yoga” in the true sense of the word

* Light on Yoga, B.K.S. Iyengar (Schocken Books 1976)