Power Yoga

Finding Your Strength: The Ultimate Guide to Power Yoga

If you are looking for a yoga practice that leaves you feeling empowered, sweaty, and physically challenged, Power Yoga might be your perfect match. Often described as the "bridge between the gym and the yoga studio," Power Yoga takes the mindfulness of traditional practice and injects it with a shot of athletic energy.

Here is everything you need to know about this dynamic style before you roll out your mat for our next livestream.

The Origins of Power Yoga

Power Yoga emerged in the mid-1990s as a response to the growing Western interest in physical fitness. While traditional yoga often focuses on meditation and spiritual philosophy, Power Yoga was designed to appeal to athletes and fitness enthusiasts.

It is closely rooted in Ashtanga Yoga, a rigorous and structured Indian tradition. However, Power Yoga "broke the rules" of Ashtanga by removing the fixed sequence of poses, allowing teachers to create creative, varied, and fast-paced flows that focus heavily on building heat and muscle, a bit like an athletic Vinyasa Yoga.

Meet the Founders

While several teachers helped shape the movement, two names are most frequently cited as the pioneers of the style:

• Beryl Bender Birch: Based in New York, Birch is often credited with coining the term "Power Yoga." An avid runner and athlete, she wanted to make the physical benefits of yoga accessible to people who were more interested in a workout than a spiritual retreat.
• Bryan Kest: Based in Los Angeles, Kest studied under the masters of Ashtanga in India. He returned to the US to develop a style that focused on the physical "power" of the body to clear the mind, emphasizing that the practice should be vigorous but accessible to everyone.

What to Expect in a Power Yoga Class

When you join a Power Yoga livestream, prepare to move! Unlike a restorative or gentle Hatha class, Power Yoga is continuous. You will link your breath with movement (Vinyasa) to create internal heat.

The class usually follows a structure of:

1. Centering: A quick moment to arrive on your mat.
2. Warm-up: Often through several rounds of Sun Salutations.
3. The Burn: High-energy standing flows, balancing poses, and core work.
4. Cool-down: Deep stretching and a brief Savasana (final relaxation).

Intensity, Fitness, and Yoga Levels

• Workout Intensity: High. You can expect your heart rate to rise and your muscles to fatigue. It is a full-body cardiovascular and strength-building workout.
• Fitness Level Required: Moderate. You don’t need to be a marathon runner, but a basic level of stamina will help you keep up with the pace.
• Yoga Level Required: Intermediate (but Beginner-friendly with a caveat). While we welcome everyone, Power Yoga moves quickly. If you are a total beginner, we recommend taking a few "Intro to Vinyasa" classes first to learn the names of the poses so you can flow safely without needing to look at the screen every few seconds.

The Poses: What You’ll Be Doing

Power Yoga focuses on "big" movements that use your own body weight as resistance. Expect to see:

• Sun Salutations (A & B): The foundation of the flow.
• Planks and Chaturangas: Lots of upper body and core strengthening.
• Warrior Poses: Held for several breaths to build leg strength.
• Arm Balances: Poses like Crow (Bakasana) are common challenges.
• Core Work: Navasana (Boat Pose) and plank variations are staples.

Your Power Yoga Toolkit (Props)

Since you are practicing from home, make sure you have:

• A Non-Slip Mat: Essential, as you will sweat.
• Yoga Blocks: Highly recommended to "bring the floor to you" and maintain proper alignment when you get tired.
• A Yoga Towel: Place this over your mat if you find your hands slipping during the class.
• Water: Keep it nearby for quick sips between sequences!

Are you ready to find your power? Browse our upcoming livestream schedule and book your spot today. We can’t wait to see you on the mat!