Power Yoga: Everything about the high-energy yoga style

Power Yoga: Everything about the high-energy yoga style

The name already proves it: Power Yoga is a physical yoga style that will definitely make you sweat. If you are looking for a physical challenge and at the same time want to benefit from the benefits of yoga, Power Yoga is the thing for you.

Power Yoga exercises are aimed at finding your own limits and going beyond them. This should not only help you find physical strength, but also inner “power”.

Breathing exercises and meditation do not play a role in this style of yoga - this is why Power Yoga has had a major impact on the popularity of yoga in the western world. The yoga style gave people access to yoga practice, initially without dealing with the spiritual background.

Power Yoga is not always the same: the term is not protected and is often used for various physically demanding yoga courses. For example, Core Power Yoga, which you can find in many gyms.

So if you're looking for the "original" it's worth asking first. The original version comes from the USA and is a modified form of Ashtanga Yoga by Bryan Kest. Incidentally, Kest himself was a student of Pattabhi Jois, who is considered the inventor of Ashtanga Yoga.


Focus on Power Yoga: How does it work?

Power Yoga focuses on physical exercises. This is the biggest difference to "classic" yoga - if it even exists. Breathing still plays a role, because the Power Yoga exercises are also practiced in harmony with breathing.

Unlike Core Power Yoga, for example, which focuses on strengthening the abdominal muscles and the back and is also suitable for losing weight, this was not Bryan Kest's primary intention. However, a side effect with regular practice.

The goal of Power Yoga is to find yourself through your body and challenging exercises, to become calmer and more relaxed and to have more energy. In this way, Power Yoga is not so different from other yoga styles - the path is just different.

This is how Power Yoga exercises work:

  • Strength, endurance and mobility improve
  • trains coordination and concentration
  • Muscles are strengthened and the body is tightened
  • promotes calm and serenity by focusing on movement in harmony with breathing

Power Yoga: Who is Power Yoga suitable for?

Anyone who is looking for a physical yoga style and wants to train their body intensively is in good hands with Power Yoga. Be prepared to work up a sweat and be ready to step out of your comfort zone.

If you are not (yet) dealing with topics such as breathing exercises, meditation or spirituality, but still want to find an approach to yoga, Power Yoga is also great. Power Yoga offers an easy way into yoga practice to try other yoga styles later - whenever you are ready.


Is Power Yoga also suitable for beginners?

Power Yoga does not require any experience in other yoga styles, so Power Yoga is also suitable for beginners. A basic level of physical fitness is an advantage, as Power Yoga will definitely challenge you physically.

If you are unsure whether Power Yoga is the right yoga style for you as a beginner, you can check out our article Yoga for beginners and find Tips for getting started and an overview of suitable yoga styles for beginners.

You can also do Power Yoga exercises at home. Here is an overview of the most important Power Yoga exercises and the typical schedule of a Power Yoga class.

Power Yoga Exercises: Bridge

Power Yoga: Exercises and the schedule of a yoga class

For Power Yoga you don't need any special tools except a yoga mat. With comfortable, sweat-wicking yoga clothing like our Yoga leggings for women and a matching Yoga top you are well equipped.

The exercises consist of various Vinyasa Flows - dynamic sequences of different positions in which breathing and movement are synchronized. That is, one breath per movement. If you've tried other styles of yoga, some of the exercises may sound familiar. Unlike Ashtanga Yoga, the sequences of the Vinyasa Flows are not precisely defined and are always the same , but can be determined and adapted individually by the teacher.

With an average of 45 minutes, a Power Yoga class is shorter than other yoga classes. Which is absolutely sufficient due to the intensity. The lesson consists of three parts:

  • Warm up
  • Body
  • Cool Down


Power yoga exercises: warm-up

The sun salutation in power yoga is usually used to warm up the entire body. You can find instructions for the sun salutation and many other asanas in our article on the most popular Yoga exercises.



Power Yoga Exercises: The Main part

The main part consists of different Vinyasa flows that are determined by the teacher. Everyone can practice at their own pace and adjust the difficulty to their own level if necessary.

Popular exercises in the body:

  • Triangle (Trikonasana)
  • Plank (Phalakasana)
  • Yoga push-up (Chaturanga Dandasana)
  • Standing Forward Bend (Uttanasana)
  • Warrior Variations (Virabhadrasana I - III)
  • Side Revolved Angle (Parivrtta Parsvakonasana)

Power Yoga exercises

Power Yoga Exercises


Power Yoga exercises


 Power Yoga exercises

Power Yoga Exercises: Cool Down

Each Power Yoga class ends with a cool down and a short relaxation sequence.

Power Yoga is a great way to give your body an intense workout. But it's more than just a fitness workout: the demanding exercises in harmony with breathing enable you to find access to yourself and your body and to become calm and relaxed inside. Power Yoga is a great way to get started with yoga practice if you are not (yet) connected with the spiritual background of yoga, but still want to find an approach.