It is a well-known fact that for over 2500 years Yoga has been one of the most effective ways to build mental and physical health and spirituality. Practitioners all around the world are intrigued by yoga’s ability to calm and focus the mind while stretching and strengthening the muscles. It is an enticing and addictive combination of poses (asanas) that give a sense of tranquility. Over the past century, yoga has spread throughout the world like wildfire, and this rapid spread of the culture has led to the birth of many similar practices. Some were inspired by the spiritual beliefs of Yoga while others only focused on the physical aspect of it. Most of these names listed below are practices that have been around for centuries. Here are the different forms of Yoga around the world.
- China’s Tai Chi
If you are a soul who seeks spiritual guidance but do not wish to persue it through Yoga, then Tai Chi from China might be another option for you to explore. Based on the spiritual view of Taoist monks, Tai Chi revolves around the body and its relationship with chi (energy). Yoga & Tai Chi both focus on the body, mind, and spirituality. The various movements and stances of Tai Chi were designed to improve balance, muscle strength and posture and to develop flexibility. Many practitioners of Tai Chi say that it is a great way to relieve stress, improve mood, reduce pain, and boost heart health and the immune system.
- China’s Qigong
Originating from China Qigong is a gentle art very similar to yoga that aims to teach people to hone their body, mind, and spirituality by integrating posture, movement, breathing technique, self-massage, sound, and focused intent, much like yoga.
- Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu
If you like working out in a fast-paced manner, then this form of competitive sport from Brazil might be the appropriate fitness practice for you. Brazillian Jiu-Jitsu was initially devised as a self-defense technique to help one face a stronger opponent. It involves a lot of grapples, locks and throws. Although it offers the same stress-relieving benefits, it is not as gentle and low impact as yoga. Another similarity would be that Jiu-Jitsu is an excellent way to strengthen the muscles and quickly improve fitness.
- Hungarian Gyrotonics
Gyrotonics created by Romanian-born Hungarian Juliu Horvath is physically nothing like Yoga. It does, however, work on the principles of yoga, swimming, tai chi and dance. Same as Yoga, Gyrotonics helps build energy levels and muscle strength through rotating and spiraling motions. If you wish to improve your core strength and range of motion and develop balance and coordination then Gyrotonics is the right fit for you.
- Callanetics
Callanetics is an exercise program created by Callan Pinckney in the early 1980s. This exercise is similar to Yoga in that it is low impact but also highly effective in terms of results. It also has no spiritual or religious affiliation.
Callanetics involves repetitive exercises that consist of small muscle movements and squeezes that you can do anywhere without any equipment. Even though it’s a low-impact exercise, the results are highly effective. These exercises build muscle strength, tone the body, and help develop muscle mass. It is the best exercise for those who cannot do heavy exercise or are healing from an injury.
Callanetics has many fervent fans in addition to Madonna. It also incorporates meditative elements that help calm the mind and the body.
Those were some fitness practices from around the world that can be related to yoga. A few more noteworthy practices would be: Pilates, Pietra fitness, Barre, Trapeze & Parkour
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