'Round The Bend: A Vancouverite's Guide to Yoga in the City

By Erin Stringer

Where in Vancouver do you go to practice your downward-facing dog or to forget about the daily drain of city life? Vancouver is bursting at the seams of its Lululemon pants with places to go and practice the ancient art of revitalization. Are you a Hatha yogi, or do you lean more towards a gentle Yin style? Untangle some of the confusion of the different branches of yoga and see which one fits your lifestyle.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is the most popular style, and most other forms of yoga originated from it. Hatha yoga is a practice introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a yogic sage in India in the 15^th century. Hatha yoga concentrates on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayama) steps in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. The emphasis in Hatha, like all other forms of yoga, is on the balance between the body and the mind, and each exercise utilizes breath control. Hatha yoga is meant to unleash dormant energy within our bodies, and it is gentle and relatively slow-paced – a good style of yoga for beginners who aren't familiar with various asanas (yoga poses).

The place to go for Hatha yoga: Semperviva Holistic Health Centre, 2608 West Broadway

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga is for you if you like it hot – really, really hot: the temperature reaches about 95 to 100 degrees. Bikram poses are derived from 26 simple Hatha yoga poses, but, because the room is heated, your body becomes much more flexible. Bikram yoga is not for you if have certain health conditions, are pregnant, or have a lunch date afterwards who won't be impressed with sweat stains and damp hair plastered to your forehead.

The place to go for Bikram yoga: Bikram Yoga College of India: 2893 Cambie Street, 2681 West Broadway or 101-1650 Alberni Street

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga means "eight limbs" in Sanskrit, referring to the eight limbs of yoga from the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The Ashtanga method is intense and athletic, and ideal if you like a more independent class. Ashtanga links a progressive series of postures with synchronized breathing. Just like in a Bikram yoga class, you will sweat a lot in Ashtanga – and it can be challenging for yoga newbies as it's quite physically demanding. Power and Vinyasa are branches of Ashtanga yoga.

The place to go for Ashtanga yoga: Ashtanga Yoga Vancouver, Suite 201, 2515 Burrard St.

Kriya Yoga

An ancient practice of self-realization, Kriya yoga is well known in India, and it's all about spiritual enlightenment. The purpose of Kriya yoga is to restore and revitalize the mind through a series of deep breathing techniques, relaxation-inducing poses, and energy control. It's ideal for those who want to find their centre and tap into the subconscious mind. Not for those who enjoy a more physical workout – the movements are largely supposed to come from the mind rather than the body.

The place to go for Kriya yoga: Prana Yoga, 1067 Cambie Street

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga is based on the teachings of B.K.S Iyengar, and the emphasis is on proper alignment and body form. Iyengar yoga is unique in that it uses props such as blocks, ropes and straps to help align the body during each pose. Iyengar is often recommended to people who are recovering from an injury and need to gain strength and agility. While it is great for beginners, more advanced Iyengar yoga requires a high level of balance and strength, and relies less on the props for support.

The place to go for Iyengar yoga: The Yoga Space, 1715 Cook Street, Suite 202

Flow Yoga/Yin Yoga

Flow yoga builds on other styles of yoga (most commonly Hatha), and integrates these movements with deep breathing. The poses in Flow yoga are held for up to three minutes with abdominal breathing, and the transition between poses is slow and smooth.

Yin yoga also holds each pose for a longer period of time, using long stretches to enhance the meditative mind. The hips, pelvis and spine are opened, and the postures are good support for the connective tissues in the body. While this restorative yoga is suitable for all levels, holding the asanas for up to five minutes can be challenging for less experienced students.

The place to go for Flow and Yin yoga: Flow Yoga Studio, 202 - 888 Burrard St.

Kundalini

Kundalini yoga emphasizes breath control as well, but there is a deeper exploration of the effects of breathing while doing each pose than there is in Flow or Kriya sessions. The purpose is to free energy in the lower body and bring it upwards. The poses are not held for a long time – the focus is on rapid movements, and Kundalini is often accompanied by chanting.

The place for Kundalini yoga: Yoga West, 2662 West 4th Ave.