What Is Yoga Fusion?

The word fusion, from the word fuse, means to join together. In some cases, different forms of yoga are being fused, such as Ashtanga, Anusara and Hatha, and in others, yoga is melded with some form of physical workout, such as kickboxing. Ashtanga, taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, is a physically oriented yoga with a continuous variety of postures and rhythmic breathing. Anusara yoga was just developed in the late 1990s and features a jauntiness with strict postural alignment. Hatha yoga stems back to the 15th century with its teacher, Yogi Swatmarama. Yoga was developed by the Indian monks thousands of years ago. In order to find a balance between mind, body and spirit, the body forms movements and postures for relaxation and release.

When different forms of yoga are blended, the emphasis is on total awareness, which motivates you to expand your abilities in all ways: emotionally, physically and mentally. You remain in the present and here and now, while experiencing the body's breathing and physical exertion. By the end of the class, you are filled with personal strength and joy.

Kickboxing yoga joins the explosive power, strength and toning of this very intense sport in order to build up endurance at the same time as precision and grace. The aggressiveness of the exercise with the gentleness of the yoga make an awe-inspiring mixture of sensuality and physical workout.

Pilates is a form of exercise developed by namesake Joseph Pilates more than 80 years ago from early yoga. It centers on expanding the body's core strength and stretching the spine. Although in past years pilates was primarily an exercise for dancers, it more recently has become enjoyed for its body sculpting. Joining pilates with the yoga, by bending and flexing into many positions, the body organs are cleansed with oxygenated blood and life energy.

When strength stretching in yoga, the fascia, or connective tissue over the muscles, elongates and gives the muscle more room to grow and additional shape. By combining the yoga strength building with a nutritious diet, the bone structures can actually increase in length. It helps develop muscles that are not responding well to regular weight training.

Here's the sweetest and most tasty of all the yoga fusions. In Highland Park, Illinois, yoga instructor David Romanelli and the mouth-watering Vosges Haut Chocolates created by Chicagoan Katrina Markoff are enjoyed together for an indescribable spiritual awakening. Markoff's chocolates are internationally known for their unique combination of spices and herbs, which were sparked by her many worldwide trips.