Power Yoga

WHAT IT IS

It may be active and athletic, but Power Yoga is not without a spiritual side. “Power Yoga as taught by myself, Bryan Kest, Baron Baptiste, and Mark Blanchard definitely has a spiritual element to it. We always include chanting and meditation in our practice,” says Beryl Bender Birch, founder of The Hard & Soft Yoga Institute. Birch, along with Kest, created the name “Power Yoga” to help Westerners relate better to the traditional Ashtanga style.

BEST FOR

Burn, baby, burn. Isometric movements recruit every muscle in the body, which’ll spark your metabolism so you end up burning more calories.

WHO'S GOTTA HAVE IT

Like the Ashtanga crowd, Power Yogis aren’t afraid of a challenge. Athletic types love its sweat-inducing side but find that, after a while, the mental benefits start catching up with the flexibility and strength.

NEED TO KNOW

Just because you’re an athlete already doesn’t mean Power Yoga won’t be tough—don’t forget that Child’s pose is your friend! “Athletes particularly need to start very slowly and carefully because their competitive nature will make them push and strain their bodies,” says Birch.

CHEAT SHEET

Don’t get stuck to your mat. While the practice is very physical, keep your mind open to the off the mat yoga afterglow.

FAMOUS FOR

Baron Baptiste and his Personal Revolution Bootcamps packed with athletic types looking for a serious mind/body workout.

RESOURCES

The Hard & Soft Yoga Institute

Bryan Kest’s Power Yoga

Baptiste Power Yoga Institute

Mark Blanchard’s Power Progressive Yoga