How can you differentiate ash-tang yoga from vinyas yoga and power yoga?

Answer 1

Ashtanga Yoga is actually Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga. Ashtanga means 'eight limbed' and Vinyasa means 'to place in a special way'. The eight limbs refers to the eight yogic paths in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras.

Sometimes listed as separate types of classes at a yoga studio, Vinyasa yoga tends to be more fluid, and flowing; linking movement with breath. Vinyasa classes can be slow and gentle or more vigorous depending on the class description.

Ashtanga, also a fluid class, is often a very specific set of poses done in a specific sequence.

Power yoga, is a general phrase used in the West as a catch-all to describe vigorous, fitness-based yoga classes. They tend to flow like a Vinyasa class, but much faster and intense.

Answer 2

Ashtanga is thus a rigorous form of hatha yoga, and sometimes can resemble a difficult aerobic workout. Ashtanga teachers claim that this form of yoga uses body heat, sweating, and deep breathing to purify the body.

Answer 3

Ashtanga yoga, known as Royal yoga, is slightly different from other forms of yoga. Ashtanga yoga focuses more on religion and self acceptance than meditation and exercise.