Power yoga

The value of yoga as an activity that increases flexibility, provides toning, and connects the act of exercise with mediation has long been known. But when people think of a more rigorous workout, yoga may not always be what comes to mind. With power yoga, though, it should be.

Power yoga involves performing a series of yoga poses without breaks or stopping. It is a form of rigorous and intense exercise that focuses on breathing techniques as a person transitions rapidly from pose to pose. Like other forms of intense exercise, power yoga can increase endurance and physical strength.

Just as classical yoga is more than a good cardiovascular workout, power yoga is the same. It focuses on both physical and mental power and aims to connect the body and the mind. Many people feel very strongly that without yoga they feel unbalanced in every part of their body.

Because of the impact this form of yoga has on improving stamina, flexibility and muscle imbalances, it is often used in aerobics courses as a transition from warm-up to aerobic activity. Many athletes incorporate power yoga into their training regimen for various competitive sports.

What Westerners call “power yoga” is actually transitioned from Ashtanga yoga, and was given the new name by an Ashtanga yoga instructor. Power yoga is to be done in a heated room and provides a much more rigorous cardiovascular workout than classical yoga. Because of its rigorous and demanding nature, it should not be done by those who have injuries or chronic illnesses. This stamina-building form of exercise is designed for those who are already at a relatively high level of physical fitness.

Those interested in learning more about this activity should inquire about courses or introductory sessions at their local gym. Even those who are already at a high level of physical fitness should be familiar with and have some experience doing classical yoga poses and breathing exercises before taking the leap into this more advanced form. Those considering power yoga should also have an interest in more than a vigorous workout, as the focus on the connection of mind, body and spirit is a critical element of this activity.

For those with some experience who would like to make it a part of their workout regimen but do not have the time or interest in going to the gym, there are exercise videos and DVDs available. Traditional yoga attire and equipment, such as a yoga mat, are required for those interested in doing power yoga at home.

Having tried several styles of Yoga, I can say that power yoga is by far the stupidest. I don't say this lightly. I am a man of strong opinions, and although there were many – indeed most – styles of yoga that I liked, There were others that I did not care for at all. But among all of those, power yoga takes the cake. There isn't anything wrong with the power yoga series itself, although it is not a series that I enjoy as much as Ashtanga or Vinyasa. It is simply a matter of the approach.

The power yoga class I took was at a Bikram's Yoga studio called Funky Door. You go into there, and the room is well over 100 degrees. In this stifling condition, it is not very long before you start to become weak and dizzy. The advantage, of course is that the heat loosens up your muscles for the power yoga, and so you can stretch much more deeply, but the disadvantages are manifold. First of all, yoga is about concentration and focus, and it is impossible to do either of these things in 120 degrees of heat. To make up for this, the power yoga teacher shouts at you like a drill instructor. Instead of the efficient pace, starting off slowly and building up to a workout once your muscles begin to release it is all pose after pose after pose, with ridiculously short breaks to recuperate stuck in between.

Besides this, the people who are drawn to power yoga are not among my favorite yoga fans. They tend to be completely unconcerned with the spiritual side of yoga. Instead, power yoga is simply their workout where they get to suffer the extreme discomfort that all health nuts cherish, while doing a series of stretches at an aerobic pace. Yes, you will burn calories, and perhaps get somewhat stronger and more flexible, but power yoga never incorporates this with the deep, meditative aspect that occurs in other forms of yoga. It really is just for yuppies and housewives, people who want to learn this important art, but are unwilling to put in the dedication. While Vinyasa requires introspection, power yoga is just huffing and puffing, and can be done with or without focus to about the same effect. It moves so quickly, that you don't have time to ensure that you've done the poses right anyway.

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