Meagan McCrary - Pick your yoga practice: exploring and understanding different styles of yoga

Until Meagan McCrarys book, choosing the right style of yoga was like blind dating. Youd have to try various styles before finding the one for you. Now, finally, theres a guidebook. Let this book be your yoga matchmaker.

Brian Leaf, author of Misadventures of a Garden State Yogi

Meagan McCrarys book is perfect not only for those who are wondering how to choose a yoga class or style but also for those who are interested in an intelligent and thorough historical account of these yoga styles and their evolution in the West. This is a much-needed asset for anyone whos ever been overwhelmed by the diversity of yoga methods out there!

Amy Ippoliti, yoga teacher and cofounder of 90 Monkeys

Copyright 2013 by Meagan McCrary

All rights reserved. This book may not be reproduced in whole or in part, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means electronic, mechanical, or other without written permission from the publisher, except by a reviewer, who may quote brief passages in a review.

The material in this book is intended for education. Please consult a qualified health care practitioner before beginning any exercise program.

Text design by Tona Pearce Myers

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

McCrary, Meagan, author.

Pick your yoga practice : exploring and understanding different styles of yoga / Meagan McCrary.

pages cm

Includes bibliographical references and index.

ISBN 978-1-60868-180-8 (pbk.) ISBN 978-1-60868-181-5 (ebook)

1. Hatha yoga. 2. Yoga. 3. Exercise. I. Title.

RA781.7.M399 2013

First printing, December 2013

ISBN 978-1-60868-180-8

Printed in Canada on 100% postconsumer-waste recycled paper

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Pick Your Yoga Practice is dedicated to my grandma.

Without her, this book would never have been possible.

She has blessed my life beyond measure

there are no words for the depth of my gratitude.

I love you, my fairy godmother.

a continual refinement of your own authentic expression. The more esoteric definition or goal of yoga is to achieve union with the Divine, God, supreme consciousness, the universe, or whatever you want to call it.

The thing about yoga is this: Theres so much more than what appears on the surface. Layered like an onion, the tradition is rich in concepts and ideas, philosophies and mythoi, rituals and practices, and so forth. However, for the most part, yoga is not going to overtly present the deeper meanings of the tradition; the invitation is always open, but you have to find your way to the party. The good news is, once you start looking, youll discover a world unto itself with plenty of opportunities to study the intricacies of the multifaceted tradition.

A myriad of styles, variations, and combinations of yoga practices exist out there. Some systems are steeped in tradition with direct ties to Indian gurus, others were started by American yoga teachers who parted from the lineages of their gurus, and still more approaches are being developed with each passing year. Some yoga styles offer greater depth than others, some involve an entire lifestyle, and others tone and sculpt your body as well as, if not better than, any other workout on the market. They all offer a way to feel better, a greater sense of well-being whatever that means to you and they are all valid. The bottom line is: Does the system of yoga work for you?

In writing this book I had the opportunity to interview some of the most highly regarded American yoga teachers, and while they wholeheartedly believe in the particular system they teach, the majority were quick to point out that they dont believe their style to be the only, or superior, approach to the practice. They have respect for all styles of yoga, and the general consensus was, as Tim Miller put it, Do whatever it is that makes you want to do yoga. If its Ashtanga-vinyasa yoga, the system Miller has studied for over thirty years, thats great; if not, thats fine too. Just find some way, in some form, to incorporate yoga into your life. The more people involved with yoga, on whatever level, the better. And while the yoga tradition runs the risk of becoming diluted as it expands and evolves into new systems and variations, the rewards outweigh the risks. When I asked these yoga teachers how they felt about the state of yoga in America, all but one or two of them answered with a resounding Its great. Theyre pleased, even thrilled, with the fact that yoga has become so accessible, with so many styles and choices available.

In this book you will find seven core styles of yoga, plus an additional ten systems described in the Best of the Rest chapter. The opening of each chapter contains background information in regard to the creation, founding, and evolution of the system presented, followed by a section called The Gist, which offers a general overview of what to expect in class if you take that style of yoga. The chapters then break down into sections, according to the main aspects and concepts of each method, to give you a clear and complete picture of that particular style of yoga. In the back of the book are resources for finding teachers and classes in the various styles.

You know yourself best. The choice of which yoga style, or styles, you want to practice is very personal and one that only you can make. Use this book as your guide. Following this introduction, on pages xivxv, youll find a quick style guide for your reference. Pick a few styles that appeal to you and read through their chapters, paying attention to the subtle feelings that arise. Consider your reasons for practicing, that is, what you would like to gain from your time on the mat, and determine what type of experience resonates best with you. Theres no reason to feel overwhelmed; you dont have to go out and sample every yoga class out there, nor do you have to read about every style described in this book. If something excites you, go for it and take a class. Pick Your Yoga Practice is meant to take you on a journey at your own pace. As your yoga practice matures, you might find yourself searching for more depth or perhaps find that your needs have shifted; when you are ready to try a new style, return to this book. Trust your gut, follow your heart, and let Pick Your Yoga Practice be your guide.

I wish you all the best on the journey ahead, and may our paths cross someday.

As we say in class,

Namaste.

No longer associated with the counterculture of the 1960s , when many Americans first turned to yoga in search of a drugless high, yoga has become a nationwide cultural phenomenon and a billion-dollar industry. If you dont practice yoga, chances are you know someone who does. It seems that everyone, from athletes and celebrities to high-powered executives and politicians to stay-at-home moms and college students, is stepping onto the mat.