Power yoga is being found more frequently in yoga studios and is offered in many gyms that have yoga classes. If you are looking for a workout that incorporates yoga principles and are interested in burning calories and building muscle, power yoga may fit your needs.
Power yoga is similar in style to Ashtanga yoga, but is a more vigorous workout. This is not a gentle stretch class and there is no meditation used in the practice. The difference is the sequences and series of poses are not as regular as in Ashtanga and the flow series and asanas used varies from class to class.
Many of the poses in power yoga are similar to calisthenics type movements are used. Push ups and touching the toes is used with traditional yoga asanas.
One of the qualities that set power yoga apart from most other types is the pace of the practice. Don’t expect slow movement, breaks between asanas and time to experience the pose fully in a power yoga class. The poses are fast paced and in a flowing sequence, similar to what is found in a vinyasa flow class and a bit more intense in many classes.
This is an aerobic workout and a yoga practice. The heart rate is increased, as in any aerobic workout. You can expect to work up a sweat in a power yoga class. If you tend to sweat when you do an intense workout, you may want to use a yoga towel with your mat.
If you like aerobic activity and have a reasonable level of fitness, you may enjoy a power yoga class. In addition, if your goal is to lose weight, this is one of the most effective forms of yoga for that purpose. If you aren’t sure if power yoga is something you would enjoy, ask about paying for a single class before committing to signing up for a series of classes or paying additional money on your gym membership for the classes.