Ashtanga Power Yoga: Main Points Of Difference

Many people compare Ashtanga and power yoga though it must be said that there are some points of difference that set the two apart. Power yoga however is certainly an alternate name for Ashtanga yoga though nevertheless power yoga is a different kind of yoga altogether and one that involves doing exercises which is different than Ashtanga yoga that is known for its rigidity as well as schematic nature.

Six Separate Pose Series

Ashtanga yoga has six special series of poses that need to be followed in sequence so that the practitioner is able to achieve greater strength, flexibility as well as awakening of the spirit and these poses can also be performed at a pace of one’s own choosing. No doubt, Ashtanga and power yoga are similar though the latter is more popular among Western practitioners being more vigorous as well as centered on fitness and there is hardly any spiritual awakening or inclination involved.

However, Ashtanga and power yoga each gives the practitioner greater flexibility and strength though it must also be said that almost any kind of yoga practice will also provide these results. Still, power yoga is a derived kind of yoga that does not in fact adhere to the Ashtanga yoga principles and is mainly workouts that too vary depending on what the instructor teaches you. In addition, a power yoga instructor will have their own methods that will be taught to students and which are generally very different than in the case of Ashtanga yoga.

However, both Ashtanga and power yoga are best practiced by people that are very physically fit and perhaps even athletic. The difference is that Ashtanga yoga can also be practiced by people that enjoy less than peak physical fitness while this is not true in the case of power yoga.

Another point of difference between Ashtanga and power yoga is that the former requires performance of set Asthanga yoga series of poses whereas there is no such requirement in the case of power yoga. However, the main point of difference between Ashtanga and power yoga is that there is a spiritual side to Ashtanga yoga that is totally devoid in the case of power yoga.

The popularity of Ashtanga yoga has attracted many people wishing to master this form of yoga in order to become qualified enough to provide training to others just like them. In order to become a teacher of Ashtanga yoga it is however necessary to obtain Ashtanga yoga certification which you can get by visiting Mysore, India, the home of Ashtanga yoga. However, this certification can also be obtained in many Western countries as well.