What in the world is power yoga? Power yoga is basically a version of Ashtanga Yoga that is practiced in the west. Beryl Bender Birch, a practitioner of Ashtanga yoga, originated the term Power Yoga. Power Yoga is a series of yoga poses which are done without stopping in between each pose. These movements are done with special breathing techniques which enables the power yoga practitioner to easily move from one pose to another.

Power yoga is not what people usually picture when thinking about traditional yoga. Power yoga is an energetic workout which can be challenging to one’s physical ability as well as to their powers
of concentration. The point of these poses, as is the point of most yoga, is to encourage you to connect to your inner power. One benefits of this type of yoga may also serve to increase your physical endurance.

Power yoga is a combination of at least three different types of yoga: Bikram, Ashtanga and Iyengar. At its core, it’s a modified version of Ashtanga yoga while it also uses the basic poses found in Bikram yoga and it gives special importance to form and alignment just as is done in Iyengar yoga. As you can see, power yoga has influences from many differently yoga types, but it still follows the classical yoga tenets in that it serves to unite the spirit, mind and body. The benefits of power yoga includes increased physical, mental and spiritual powers.

Interestingly enough, just as some football players practiced ballet, power yoga is a good option for training athletes. Yoga increases concentration as well as increased flexibility of the body which may serve to prevent injuries on the field.

Before you begin a regimen which includes this type of yoga, you should always check with a doctor or medical professional to ensure that you are healthy enough. Power yoga is done in a heated room – the better to stretch the muscles and ligaments and to release the toxins from the body through increased sweat. Unlike other forms of yoga, there is no chanting but you definitely will get a workout!