Aerial, Acrobatic, Aqua: 5 Types Of Yoga That Are Becoming A Fitness Trend

Yoga is more than a form of workout. It helps you relax, improves mental health, and pushes you towards a healthier lifestyle. The ancient Indian form of workout has gained immense popularity all over the world.

People are opening up to the idea of experimenting with their fitness routine, and yoga with a twist is the new rage amongst health enthusiasts. Combining yoga with acrobatics and Pilates works wonders for people who are looking to add flexibility and mental-well-being to the mix.

On International Yoga Day, here's a round-up of five types of yoga that taking over the fitness world.

Also read: Beat Stress With Yoga & Meditation: Apps For Step-By-Step Asanas To Stay Fit

Aerial Yoga, as its name suggests, is a gravity-defying technique inspired by Pilates. Poses in this form require a nylon or silk hammock hanging from the ceiling.

Bringing Pilates, yoga and cardio under one form, it is touted as one of the best ab exercises of all time. This form of workout focuses on stretching body muscles, strengthening upper back and the spine.

One of the most interesting and old forms, this one combines acrobatics, yoga, Thai massage and healing arts in one form. Deemed as one of the most vigorous and risky forms of the ancient Indian workout, this one requires strength, flexibility and technique training.

In order to practice acro-yoga, one must have a partner. Over time, it helps one get a stronger core, muscles, arms, chest and may also improve relationships over time.

Going by its name, aqua yoga requires people to practice poses inside water. While one can opt for a warm water pool, open water sources are better options for this form of yoga.

Using the principles of basic yoga like breathing and mindfulness, it has a soothes impact on people and strengthens the whole body, and facilitates pain-free movement. Given its mental well-being benefits, aqua yoga is believed to be a healing activity.

Props are add more value and fun to the yoga poses. Wheel yoga is performed using a rubber and fibre-based wheel that pushes the stretches and the fitness routine. used to deepen yoga practise and taking it to a new level.

One of the biggest benefits of this form is that it makes back-bends and inversions easier. Other benefits of this form includes improved flexibility, better breathing and lower risk of injuries.

Laughter yoga, first spoken about in Madan Kataria's 2002 book named 'Laugh For No Reason', involves prolonged voluntary laughter. It works on the principle that voluntary laughter has the same effect on mental well-being as spontaneous laughter. This form is practised in groups through eye contact and jokes.

Besides lowering stress, laughter yoga is known to strengthen the immune system and reduce pain. Combined with yogic breathing, laughter yoga becomes effective for overall well-being.