Baptiste power yoga was introduced years ago by Baron Baptiste. It revolves around the belief that each of us requires an individual approach to feel comfortable practicing yoga. There is no universal approach to yoga that would suit everyone. Instead, this method focused on intuitive practice by selecting a personal and individualized process.
Baptiste yoga is not about a fitness level or your physical form. It is about finding the right inner path in your yoga practice. It does not neglect the traditional norms of yoga practice but introduces room for improvisation and creativity. Follow the natural patterns of your body and take a dip in the mental power yours. It is still challenging but comes with many freedoms compared to traditional practices.
Baptiste yoga offers programs that help join the community of progressive yoga practitioners. As a community, we support each other, stand together, and grow as individuals and as a part of the collective.
What Is Baptiste Yoga?
Besides promoting the individual approach to yoga practice, Baptiste yoga has many other differences from the traditional method.
Baptiste power vinyasa yoga is practiced in a heated room. Now, it should not be a sauna inside – the average of 90-95 degrees is the acceptable norm. For many people, this is the regular norm in the summer, for some – the whole year. Now, if you don’t have suitable conditions in your flat, you can visit one of the numerous classes that set up the right temperature and move the practice in a group. It stimulates the internal fires (tapas) for a hot, sweaty routine.
The flow of this vinyasa is swift and linked to breathing. It gives you the freedom to adopt any sequence you feel comfortable with, but the classes usually start with Surya namaskar A and B to ease people into the practice. Later, the classes include more advanced options and leave room for the imagination for the sessions at home.
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An essential part of Baptiste yoga is breathing. This practice mostly uses ujjayi pranayama breathe yoga for a deep and powerful breath during some challenging poses.
The Power Sequence
Note that Baptiste yoga is foremost about the things that make you feel relaxed and complete. However, if you are a newbie and don’t know where to start or what makes you fall in love with yoga, we suggest the following beginner sequence that you may later adapt to suit your own flow. (The flow sequence is offered by Jennifer Huber on her practice platform.)
- Child’s pose
- Downward facing dog
- Ragdoll
- Extended Mountain
- Sun Salutation A (repeated 5 times)
- Sun Salutation B (repeated 5 times)
Another possible variation is
- Sun Salutation A – variation with triangle
- Forward Fold
- Half Lift
- Chaturanga Dandasana
- Upward Facing Dog
- Downward Facing Dog
- Right Foot Triangle
- Side Facing Wide Leg Forward Bend
- Namaste Front Facing Forward Fold
- Twisting Triangle
- Chaturanga Dandasana
- Upward Facing Dog
- Downward Facing Dog
- Left Foot Triangle
- Side Facing Wide Leg Forward Bend
- Namaste Front Facing Forward Fold
- Twisting Triangle
We suggest you start with these two sequences. Later, you can add some aspects of opening, rejuvenation, stability, igniting, etc.
Ways It’ll Change You
Yoga, overall, is an inspirational kind of practice that opens your hidden strength and sides. Regular yoga sessions will help you change your lifestyle and your inner views. So, let’s take a look at the mental and physical changes that will follow Baptiste yoga, and it enters your daily life.
Improving Flexibility
In general, people who take up regular yoga are noted to be more flexible than people who participate in other fitness activities, not to mention the everyday non-active people. Yoga engages all muscles of your body slowly and with dedication. In time, you noticed how much your hamstrings can stretch or how easy it is to open hip flexors, and so on.
Power heat yoga is especially useful in this department. The hot, powerful sequence helps you to improve flexibility and set into the poses deeper.
Which Yoga Is Best For Flexibility?
Remember, you don’t have to be flexible from the start as you begin Baptiste yoga, it’ll increase the flexibility in time. For now, any form will suit it.
Physical Benefits
Regular Baptiste practice means that you train your body and mind. Any kind of daily exercise brings positive results to your health and stress levels. In addition to flexibility, one gets an increase in stamina, strength, balance, and so on. As you go through the sequences, you develop mobility and the peace of mind that allow you to focus on the present and awaken your energy.
Stress-Relief
Speaking of stress levels, they are drastically reduced by this type of power yoga. It is combined with a set of breathing exercises that work wonders on the stress hormones and your overall mindset.
Numerous studies have shown the correlation between physical activities and the level of stress which goes drastically down when we lead an active lifestyle.
Thus, next time when you feel stressed after a long day at work/school, follow that Barone Baptiste yoga session to de-stress.
Improve Your Self-Esteem
Yoga teaches you to accept the way you are and carry positive energy in your daily life. The power of yoga, in particular, teaches you to appreciate the strength of your body and how it takes you through the poses instead of focusing on the “standards of beauty” that are rather subjective. If you want to fit those, this yoga practice will help you with gaining beautiful shape. In the meanwhile, you’ll understand that they are not your goal.
Active Lifestyle
It takes a small step to switch your lifestyle. Yoga may seem like a lazy and passive solution, but it also requires strength and stamina. If you incorporate efficient yoga sequences into your daily routine, you’ll notice quick changes in your lifestyle immediately. Different types of activities come with yoga. Once you get into a healthy lifestyle habit with yoga, everything else follows.
What Is Considered an Active Lifestyle?
Just one day of yoga can change your lifestyle!