How to Do Power Yoga

Power yoga couples quick movements with sweat

Power yoga stands, or rather jumps out from other yoga techniques because of its quick, powerful movements and aerobic nature. Anyone who finds other types of yoga too slow will find it an invigorating challenge to do power yoga. Pose sequences can vary widely, but one thing remains consistent--you’re going to sweat. A few tips will help you kick off your workout.

Things You'll Need

• Yoga mat
• Vigor
• Strength and flexibility
• Small towel to wipe sweat off mat

Instructions

1. Be familiar with the poses. The fast-paced world of power yoga is not the time to wonder how to properly execute a half-moon pose.

2. Move quickly from one pose to the next. Poses should seamlessly flow together, insuring you can go from an upward dog to a downward dog in one quick, fluid movement in a matter of milliseconds.

3. Breathe to introduce poses. Begin each pose with either an inhale or exhale. For instance: stand in mountain pose and inhale, bringing arms above your head into a backbend; exhale, arms down to Namaste. Inhale arms above the head; exhale into a standing forward bend.

4. Keep the duration of the inhale and the exhale the same. If you inhale for 4 seconds, make sure your exhale lasts 4 seconds. Inhale through your nose and exhale through your mouth.

5. Pick a pose sequence, instructional DVD or class and begin.

Tips & Warnings

• You can turn any yoga workout into a power yoga workout by using power yoga techniques.

• Don’t jump into a power yoga workout unless you are already in at least fair physical shape.