The Science of Yoga

Compare that to Iyengar. It requires candidates for teacher training to have studied the style for a minimum of three years, and then trains them for a minimum of two years and administers two examinations to ensure the requisite progress. As we have seen, it is the Iyengar people who have redesigned some of yoga’s most dangerous poses

For instance, an intermediate student can easily turn his or her neck 90 degrees—nearly twice the normal rotation.

VINYASA. Fluid. Links body movements with breath in a continuous flow. A yoga ballet.

KUNDALINI. Intense. Focuses on breathing, chanting, and meditating more than postures. Seeks to awaken kundalini energy at base of spine.

IYENGAR. Precise and popular. Focuses on alignment and holding poses. Uses blocks, straps, and blankets to improve positioning and avoid injury. Trains instructors for at least two years, versus weeks for many styles.