Learn to understand the differences between less common yoga styles Kundalini, Jivamukti, and Yin Yoga.
Yoga is a popular form of exercise with great health benefits both physical and mental. However, it can be confusing to understand the differences between the different styles, and why one would want to practice one over the other.
This is part III of the series, which will cover Kundalini, Jivamukti, and Yin Yoga. Unlike Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Bikram, all of which fall under the Hatha umbrella, these three yoga styles are distinct.
Kundalini: Spiritual Yoga
- Background: Kundalini is very different than traditional hatha yoga, and focuses on the spiritual elements of a yoga practice. It is an ancient style of yoga that has recently become popular in the West. "Kundalini" refers to the idea of your spiritual energy, or life force, that is kept at the base of your spine. The idea is to tap into this life force and harness it.
- Good for: people who are interested in experiencing a new form of yoga; people who are looking for a more spiritual aspect to their yoga practice.
- Calories burned: Assessing calorie burn for Kundalini is difficult. The calorie burn varies based on the intensity of the poses and the strength of the breath; it can be safely estimated that you will burn about 100 - 200 calories.
- Sample poses: Kundalini poses are very different from most poses that you will recognize from other yoga practices. A crucial element of a Kundalini practice is the Breath of Fire. The Breath of Fire is a form of breathing that is meant to intensify the practice. Sample poses in Kundalini yoga include Neck Rolls, Lotus Pose, Shoulder Shrugs, and Spinal Twists.
Jivamukti Yoga: Spiritual and Physical
- Background: A modern practice that originated in 1984, Jivamukti literally means "liberation while living". It is designed to combine a vigorous Vinyasa practice with a more spiritual element. Classes include reading yoga scripture, meditation, chanting, and music alongside a physically challenging practice. A crucial element of Jivamukti yoga is adherence to a vegan (or at least vegetarian) diet, but this is not necessary for the casual dabbler.
- Good for: people who want a combination of exercise and spirituality from their yoga practice; people who like Vinyasa but want more mindfulness; people who like the spiritual elements of Kundalini yoga, but want more of a workout.
- Calories burned: Expect to break a sweat in this form! This is much more similar to Ashtanga or Vinyasa, and will burn about 300 calories per hour.
- Sample poses: An experienced yoga practitioner (especially of Ashtanga or Vinyasa) will recognize common poses such as Warriors I, II & III, Shoulder Stand, Triangle Pose, Dancer's Pose, and the Sun Salutation sequence.
Yin Yoga: Providing Contrast to Hatha Yoga
- Background: You many have heard of the concept of yin and yang. Yin yoga provides the balance to the yang of more vigorous styles like ashtanga and vinyasa. Unlike these forms of yoga, which work on strengthening, stretching, and lengthening the muscles, yin yoga focuses on the soft connective tissues of the ligaments and joints. Poses are held for much longer than in a yang yoga practice, often between five and 10 minutes. This means that yin yoga is very mentally strenuous, as it requires great concentration and mental discipline to maintain the poses for the correct length of time.
- Good for: people who are engaged in strenuous physical exercise who want a restorative practice; people who wish to increase mental endurance; people who are interested in trying a new, slow form of yoga that is still challenging.
- Calories burned: Assessing the calories burned in Yin is difficult. Although it is definitely a challenging form, it is not an active form, so it is safe to assume that it probably burns less than 100 calories per hour.
- Sample poses: As mentioned before, poses are usually held for about 10 minutes, so an hour-long class will consist of six or seven poses. Common poses include Happy Baby, Melting Heart, and Sleeping Swan.
Learn More:
- View this introductory video about Kundalini Yoga
- View a Jivamukti Sequence here
- See Yin Yoga's Hip Opener Sequence on Youtube
Source:
Grilley , Paul. "Yin Yoga Yoga Journal - Yoga Asana Columns - Yin Yoga." Yoga Journal: Yoga Poses, Classes, Meditation, and Life.
Copyright Caroline Garrod. Contact the author to obtain permission for republication.
Caroline Garrod - Caroline is currently working on her Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in History from Queen's University in Kingston, ON. An avid reader and ...
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