What Is Power Yoga?

Power yoga is an adaptation of the classic yoga poses, which makes them more challenging. It concentrates on what it calls “vinyasa”, or a chain of poses that are connected by movement.

Power yoga is high energy yoga designed to increase muscle strength and endurance. In short, it is much more of a workout then normal yoga.

Where Did Power Yoga Come From?

The origins of power yoga date back to the 1990s. It’s debatable who actually coined the phrase first. Beryl Bender Birch and Bryan Kest seem to have started using the term around the same time.

Power Yoga Isn’t Just Stretching!

Power yoga isn’t just stretching or working on flexibility. It also involves what are called “core strengthening” exercises, which can involve holding poses for longer periods of time than what might be considered typical for yoga practitioners. It can also involve using weights (dumbbells) or resistance bands to increase difficulty.

Power yoga can include up to 150 different poses in one session. And sessions can last longer than a normal yoga session, even as long as 90 minutes.

Power yoga requires lots of concentration because you are transferring between poses quickly. Such concentration, combined with the high energy, can really help with mindfulness.

Is Power Yoga For Beginners?

Power yoga is not an easy yoga practice. It is active and high energy. The movements tend to be more challenging than normal yoga. It wouldn’t really be something for those new to yoga. It requires you to move through poses quickly, so you need to be very familiar with yoga poses before trying power yoga.

If you have been practicing yoga for some time and are familiar with many of the common poses then it might be worth just viewing a power yoga session first so that you know what you are letting yourself in for.

Power Yoga – Turn Up The Heat

We have discussed hot yoga elsewhere, but power yoga can also involve turning up the temperature. As that can make the session more challenging, increasing the temperature can help with power yoga.

This form of yoga is designed to really challenge you. When you first start doing power yoga we recommend you don’t increase the temperature, but as you get used to this form of yoga it can then help to layer in additional challenge.

What Equipment Do You Need For Power Yoga?

A good quality yoga mat to start with! Preferably one that is perhaps a bit thicker because you will be performing harder poses and a thicker mat will therefore give you better protection.

As power yoga sessions are also longer than normal yoga sessions, a thicker mat helps to absorb impacts more thus making it kinder on your limbs and joints.

You might also want to choose one that is designed to be non-slip as you might find you sweat more doing power yoga.

Sometimes dumbells and resistance bands are also used in power yoga.

Is Power Yoga Good For Weight Loss?

One of the great things about power yoga sessions is that they are so energetic! You will be moving more during a power session than say a Hatha or Vinyasa flow session. This means you will burn calories and fat much faster, making it one of the best forms of exercise around for weight loss!

Power Yoga and Your Health

Many people find that practicing yoga helps them to maintain good health generally as well as helping with specific problems. A regular practice can also help to relieve stress, induce relaxation in times of tension and provide relief from aches and pains whether caused by injuries or otherwise.

The main health benefits of power yoga however are increased muscle strength and endurance/fitness.

What Can Power Yoga Do For Me?

As it is such a vigorous form of yoga many people enjoy doing power yoga because they find it helps them get into a zone where they are truly in touch with their inner self. Although it is highly energetic, it can be highly absorbing making it very relaxing.

As it is such a high energy, fast form of yoga there is an increased risk of injury. You should make sure you adequately warm up beforehand. Given a power yoga session can last up to 90 minutes, when you then also add on the warm up it isn’t something most people could commit to every day – or even every other day. It is perhaps a once or twice a week type yoga.