Yoga of the 21st century

Your concept of yoga is probably called "hatha yoga": exercises that prepare the body for concentration. The lotus position, the salutation to the sun ... would you dare to do them suspended in the air?

New versions of yoga are sweeping the most VIP gyms on the planet. To begin with, we are going to talk about one that requires very special facilities. Its objective, to recreate the harsh Indian climatic conditions, the homeland of yoga. This is how "hot yoga" starts, a discipline that will undoubtedly make you sweat.

The «Hot Yoga», hot therapy

Hot yoga is a tough discipline and not only because of the 26 asanas (postures) and its two pranyamas or breaths that it repeats for 90 minutes. It is done under a temperature from 38 to 40 degrees, as if we were on a summer day in the middle of India.

It is so hot that they advise you drink about two books before to enter each class. Obviously, with so much sweat, you will eliminate many toxins, but also, since the muscles are so warm, injuries are avoided and stretching is easier. And it can be done by anyone, no matter their age or physical level. Its creator, Bikram Choydhury, demonstrated that this practice regenerated tissues and cured chronic diseases in a project at the University of Tokyo, sponsored by the United Nations. And his life was a clear example of the virtues of "hot yoga": Bikram already practiced Hatha Yoga in his native India when he was just 3 years old and at 11 he became the youngest person to win the National Yoga Competition, for what was baptized like “Yoghi Raj” (the king of the yogis.). However, at age 20 he injured himself lifting weights. From there, he began to work on his new technique.

They claim that many celebrities such as Bill Clinton, Madonna, Kareen Abdul-Jabbar practice it ... He arrived in the United States at the invitation of President Nixon, who suffered a back injury. No wonder Time magazine has said that Bikram is for yoga the same as Jane Fonda was for aerobics. Currently, there are about 2000 Bikram sequels around the world. One of them is in Spain and has two offices, one in Madrid and the other in Barcelona.

Aerial Yoga: get on the trapeze

At the moment, you can only practice it in the United States. It's called Unata Aerial Yoga and was created by Michelle Dortignac, a yoga instructor and tightrope walker. Trapezoids hanging from the ceiling are used. To practice it, you will suspend yourself in the sky: zero gravity, freedom of movement ... They ensure that, in addition to promote flexibility, facilitate stretching.

Acroyoga: how to avoid a divorce

This type of yoga was born in San Francisco and is recommended by many marriage counselors as therapy, because this modality can be perform as a couple. And you have to trust!

It starts out like a normal yoga class, but you soon discover that you are executing the poses in midair. Counterweights and balances on your partner will allow you to perform reversals and stunts. Finally, a relaxing Thai massage is given.

More traditional, but just as "in" is Ashtanga or what experts call the eight step yoga. Stay with each of its phases and learn its meaning. It is a small ABC of this ancient practice, but one that is constantly reinventing itself.

There is a Yoga for every type of life; for each person; for every mind and spirit.

• The "Hot Yoga" is done at temperatures between 38 and 40 degrees.
• "Aerial Yoga": practiced suspended in the sky with a trapeze.
• The "Acroyoga" can be performed as a couple and serves as marriage therapy.