Yoga Chiang Mai

Hatha Yoga a more traditional and authentic style of yoga found in Chiang Mai, using asanas (postures), pranayama (enhancing energy through breath), kriyas (cleansing and purification) and meditation. Traditional Hatha Yoga dates back at least 500 years ago, when Yogi Swatmarama composed a well-known yoga text known as the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Hatha Yoga aids in balancing lunar and solar energies (Yin & Yang) in the body, an ideal balanced style of yoga in Chiang Mai, Thailand. 

Iyengar Yoga is named after the founder BKS Iyengar, one of the first Yoga teachers and yoga practices to influence the west from the 1950's, this style of Yoga is more technical and focuses on Asana alignment, Pranayama and includes therapeutic Yoga. Iyengar Yoga in Chiang Mai is not so predominant, though many of the modern systems of Yoga in Chiang Mai incorporate various elements of Iyengar Yoga, as it is one the most respected asana Yoga systems being practice today. 

Ashtanga Yoga is a strong and Vinyasa yoga style (flow), first rediscovered by Tirumalai Krishnamacharya in the 1930's and later gaining popularity in the West in the 1970's, by Yoga instructor Pattabi Jois. Ashtanga yoga is a Vinyasa-flowing sequence and challenging style of yoga with 6 levels of practice, which could prove challenging for a complete Yoga beginner in Chiang Mai. Ashtanga Yoga is great as it gives a physical direction to follow, though it does not offer more than yoga asana as its primary focus. 

Dynamic Yoga is a mix of modern-style yoga, influenced by elements of Iyengar and Ashtanga Yoga. Dynamic Yoga was developed and created by Godfrey Devereux. It does not follow any mysticism or esoteric methods; its focus is to harmonise body, mind and self via self-inquiry when you practise yoga asana. Various modern styles of yoga are being taught and are popular in yoga studios in Chiang Mai; all modern styles of Yoga, have elements of older styles of Yoga. 

Tantra Yoga an ancient method of yoga dating back a few thousand years, involves deep esoteric Yoga traditions which can also be found in elements of Hatha Yoga. Tantra Yoga is very popular and appealing due to sexual overtones in some of its classes and courses. Once in a while you will find schools that will offer Tantra Yoga in Chiang Mai, they can be very popular, though caution is needed, as some of the practices and methods are not suitable for everyone.  

Raja Yoga, known as the Royal Yoga is a step-by-step process for developing the mind and consciousness mainly focusing on Mediation. Every yoga eventually leads to Raja Yoga, it is the goal of all Yoga to have complete perfection of self. Raja Yoga follows the 8 limbs of Yoga of Patanjili, one of the first yoga text written, to aid the aspiring Yoga student to the highest level of Yoga. This is where our main Yoga practice lays at Body and Mind Healing, Chiang Mai Thailand