There are so many fitness classes in London. It’s one of the richest and diverse cities in the world offering up a huge range of classes. From hatha, pilates, ashtanga, kunalini to stripping down in a hot room and enjoying bikram yoga. Many of my friends feel completely overwhelmed by the amount of choice on offer and are confused about what the different terms mean. Is hot yoga bikram? What does the term power yoga mean? I am going to try and put some of this confusion to bed, here’s a couple of loose definitions:
Hatha yoga – Hatha Yoga (Sanskrit हठयोग) is what most people in the West associate with the word “Yoga” and is practised for mental and physical health throughout the West. It’s also called Hatha Vidya (हठविद्या), which is a system of Yoga introduced by Yogi Swatmarama, a sage of 15th century India, and compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika. Swatmarama introduced Hatha Yoga as preparatory stage of physical purification that the body practices for meditation.
Wellbeing insight – The word Hatha is a compound of the words Ha and Tha meaning sun and moon.
Ashtanga yoga – Ashtanga or power yoga is a system of yoga transmitted to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. This method of yoga involves synchronizing the breath with a progressive series of posture. A process producing intense internal heat and detoxifies muscles and organs.
Pilates – This system was developed in the early 20th century by Joseph Pilates in Germany. Pilates called his method Contrology because he believed his method uses the mind to control the muscles. The program focuses on the core postural muscles which help keep the body balanced and which are essential to providing support for the spine. In particular, Like yoga pilates exercises teach awareness of breath and alignment of the spine.
Kundalini – Kundalini is considered a part of the subtle body along with chakras (energy centres) and nadis (channels). Each chakra is said to contain special characteristics. The overall concept has many points in common with Chinese acupuncture. Yoga proposes that this energy may be "awakened" by pranayama, or breath control, physical exercises, visualization, and chanting. It may then rise up a subtle channel at the base of the spine and from there to top of the head merging with the crown chakra.
Bikram yoga – Bikram or hot yoga is a series of yoga poses done in a heated room, which is usually maintained at a temperature of 105 degrees Fahrenheit (approx. 40 degrees). Yoga at this temperature promotes lots of sweating, which is believed to help rid the body of toxins.
Whatever you choose to do, try and make sure you enjoy every step of your journey. Namaste 
