What is Power Thai Yoga
It is a Westernized version of Ashtanga Yoga and varies from teacher to teacher. Power Thai Yoga is best suited for physically fit individuals who are looking for an intense workout and want to push their bodies to the edge and is not recommended for beginners.
Benefits of Power Thai Yoga
Because Power Thai Yoga strengthens and builds muscles it can be a great aid in weight loss and weight gain prevention. If you have never tried Power Thai Yoga before start with this quick Power Yoga Flow Sequence.
Beginning Power Thai Yoga Flow Sequence
Starting in Tadasana (Mountain Pose) legs together, weight evenly distributed inhale as you circle sweep your arms over head into Urdhva Hastasana (Upward Facing Hand Pose)
As you exhale step your right foot wider than hip distance, squatting down with your hands at heart center (middle of chest) into Malasana (Garland Pose – or squat).
Inhale, sweeping arms overhead briefly, stepping the right foot back to center and exhale as you fold forward, weight moves forward into toes, hips over ankles into Uttanasana (Forward Fold).
Inhale again sweeping arms over head and exhale stepping your left foot wider than hip distance, squatting down as before.
Inhale circle sweep the arms overhead, stepping the left foot next to the right, exhale fold forward and inhale sweep the arms overhead.
This completes one full pass through the first part of the Power Thai Yoga Flow Sequence. Repeat this sequence several times to warm up the body.
Building up a Power Thai Yoga Flow Sequence
Transitioning and building on this warm up sequence is easy. As you finish your last pass through center from the left side into Forward Fold, hold the fold. Modifications for the next part of this sequence are available and will be discussed in a later article.
From Forward Fold inhale half way up to Ardha Uttanasana (Half Forward Fold or Monkey), lengthening the crown (top of the head) away from the sit bones (gluteus), hands on the thighs, chest and back extended equally.
Exhale fold forward placing hands on either side of the feet, directly below shoulders and step the feet back into Phalankasana (Plank or Pushup Pose). Fingers spread wide, most of the weight in the thumb and first finger ball mounts joints. Draw the abdominal muscles in, bracing them, without rounding the back. Hold for several breaths.
Exhale, lift the hips, rolling through the shoulders without moving the hands, and push the heels towards the mat into Adho Mukha Svanasana (Downward Facing Dog). Take three breaths here.
Inhale roll through the shoulders, drawing them directly over the wrists, bringing the hips and body into Plank pose again. This time lift the left foot two inches off of the floor, pressing through both heels. Hold for several breaths, keeping abdominals contracted. Release the left foot and repeat with the right foot. After releasing right foot, on your next exhale push back to Downward Facing Dog. Take three breaths.
Inhale coming forward into Plank pose. This time lifting right foot first two inches off of the floor, and lifting the left arm shoulder height, make sure to keep the abdominal muscles contracted. Hold for several breaths, then release and move to the left foot and right arm. On the next exhale push back into Downward Facing Dog. Hold for three breaths.
On an exhale walk the feet forward into Forward Fold. Inhale halfway up into Monkey, exhale fold forward completely and with a deep inhale circle sweep the arms all the way up, rising again into Upward Facing Hand Pose, exhale hands to heart center.
Power Yoga Flow Sequence and Strength Training
The first half of this sequence worked the hip abductors and adductors, the gluteus, shoulders and upper back. The second half worked the upper arms, upper back, shoulders, core and legs. When united with the first half this creates a simple Power Yoga Flow Sequence that helps to build, strengthen and tone muscles. Complete this series multiple times from start to finish for a longer duration Power Yoga workout.
Superstars of Power Thai Yoga and a Fitness Program
Power yoga is strong athletic yoga using breath to move in and out of postures that may be linked by variations of Ashtanga sun salutations. Power yoga originated to appeal to westerners who might otherwise shy away from acknowledging the spiritual side of yoga. The structure of power yoga allows the teacher to have creativity in poses, flows, and sequences for a fitness program and unique workout.
Baron Baptiste is an International Power Thai Yoga Star and Teacher
Born into a yoga and fitness practicing family, Baptiste practiced yoga from childhood. His books are translated worldwide. He has sold millions of DVDs, maintains a school in Boston, Mass. and teaches throughout the world. He specializes in transforming the stiff, depressed, angry, or lost as well as those searching for a meaningful exercise program. He has worked with the Philadelphia Eagles and various super bowl players. He is a motivational teacher.
Fittingly, his workshops are called yoga boot camps. They promise natural healing and focus on training, nutritional eating, meditation, and balance. Locations are worldwide inviting all levels of practitioners.
Bryan Kest, Power Thai Yoga from Within the Self
Bryan Kest is well known for his DVDs, workshops, schools in California, and perfect handstands. His mission is to convince followers not to do power yoga simply to be fit or to look good. He wants the focus to turn away from the body or what the body on the next mat is doing. Obviously, his workshops avoid the term boot camp. They become meditative movement sessions. This may be confusing to the novice power yoga student coming to learn the physical side of yoga before being able to blend the mental and spiritual side into a harmonious practice. His workshops are held in studios throughout the world and he keeps a rigorous workshop schedule.
Mark Blanchard’s Progressive Power Thai Yoga
Mark eased into yoga later than the above two. He played college football and semi-pro baseball, modeled, and appeared in a few soap operas. His yoga promises weight loss and cardio in a sweaty flowing progression of poses and postures. He makes a point of not having music or props. His followers tend to be young, athletic, and fit. This may be intimidating to the beginner although Blanchard makes a point of inviting beginners to join the practice. He weaves a connection to the mind from the physicality of his practice. His home base is Los Angeles, Calif. There are testimonials from stars such as Madonna and Jennifer Lopez, among others. His workshops are mostly in the US and affordable. He has DVDs available and hopes to franchise his practice.
The superstars of power yoga are good looking athletic men with lean flexible, muscled, bodies and different teaching techniques. Regardless of meditation skills or desires, power Thai yoga is a fitness workout.
