I started my yoga journey with Bikram, 1 1/2 hour commitment to withstand 103 degree room, focusing on doing the same poses every time, while sweating from every part of my body including my knees. She said to breath but idk how many of us did at first. But we were focused, and determined, and learned to power through, and built flexibility and confidence. And because I stuck with it, consistently, 3 times a week, I learned to de stress and leave class feeling like I had the best massage ever. So yes, I did feel like power, heat, breath or no breath, felt like yoga. I felt one with myself.
Then I focued on Baron Baptiste which became almost drill sergeant, but again the power made me push myself, learn how to stretch to my limit and beyond, and block out the world for a while while on my mat.
Fast forward to body changes and slow flow and breathing made me feel right. And Kundalini became my guilty pleasure. It really taught me how to push beyond my limits. Breath of fire was so important to prove that my focus was beyond my control.
But then yin yang and restorative is perfect for calming, stretching, etc.
So I believe yoga has many purposes, depending on the person, and what the body and mind needs. I want to expand on Ashtunga more, the balance part is intriguing to me. I need to understand how Balancing works in the body.
Lori