Dozens of Brazilian yoga aficionados saluted the sun in unison in a Rio de Janeiro favela for the inaugural class of a free course allowing residents of the low-income community to qualify as yoga teachers.

Krishna Das, a renowned American vocalist born Jeffrey Kagel and known for his performances of Hindu devotional music known as kirtan, led a spiritual practice and attendees prayed, sang, clapped and even danced.

“I felt like I was in another world,” Luciene Costa Gonzaga de Andrade said at the event Wednesday. “The mantras transcend the souls and transform sadness into joy. It was magical.”

Hairdresser Costa Gonzaga de Andrade, 54, is one of 20 people from Rocinha, Brazil’s most populous favela, or low-income neighborhood, who have signed up for the free training program offered by the Yoganaya International School and the company Mude.

She started practicing yoga to alleviate pain in her lower back. She used a cane for three years, but the ancient practice allowed her to regain mobility. Standing on her feet all day is a struggle and she was delighted to learn how to teach yoga.

“It’s a course that would be very expensive for people who, like me, have a low income,” she said. “Who knows, maybe in the future I’ll quit the salon and just teach classes.”

The 14-month project aims to train around 180 new teachers from favelas in Rio and Sao Paulo, who will then carry out paid internships in their communities. Participants receive uniforms, yoga mats, speakers and microphones, as well as stipends and support when entering the job market.

Yoganaya International School founder Renata Mozzini said she created the project specifically for favela residents to pierce the “bubble of elitism.”

“People here often feel like yoga isn’t for them. They think yoga is for those with money or who have life figured out. But the truth is that it’s for everyone,” she said, pointing to an existing yogi community in Rocinha with classes run by “Yoga na Lage,” or Yoga on the Rooftop.

Organizers got wind of the South American tour by Das and invited him to the first class with the Rocinha group, which was open to the public.

At least 150 people attended, with many mats touching during the class in an open space owned by a restaurant with a spectacular view of the Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon and Rio’s mountains including the Corcovado, where the famed Christ the Redeemer statue is located.

“Tonight was so rich and sweet. It was just beautiful,” Das told The Associated Press afterward. “It’s just a joy to interact with them and to sing and to encourage them to continue because there’s so many obstacles and difficulties to try to overcome.”

Daniela Moraes, who has a stall on the beach and is training to become a teacher, has listened to Das many times on YouTube and was moved to see him sing live. The 47-year-old from Rocinha said the performance being in the favela made it even more special.

“Seeing him shouldn’t be something exclusive,” she said.

AP

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To some people, the word “ yoga ” evokes ritualistic chanting, long breaths and slow movement. To others, it means contorting your body into ever more complicated positions until sweat drips onto the mat.

In reality, it can be both — with a lot of variation in between. It depends on the teacher, who could be trained in several of numerous yoga styles: hatha, vinyasa, Iyengar, ashtanga, yin and more.

Though all styles involve poses (asanas), they differ in significant ways. Even classes within the same style can range from calming to vigorous.

So, what is the best type of class for a beginner?

“The best is the one that works for you,” said Tim Senesi, who has been teaching yoga in Orange County, California, for 22 years. “There are many different paths leading toward the same aim.”

Here’s a primer on some of the most popular styles, followed by a big caveat.

The hatha/yin yoga styles

The term “yoga,” which is derived from the Sanskrit for “union,” actually encompasses an entire discipline that includes movement, meditation and lifestyle. Hatha, meaning “force,” technically is any kind of yoga class involving asanas. If you’ve ever heard of a sun salutation, for instance, that is a foundational sequence of 12 asanas that begin many types of classes.

When it comes to classes listed as hatha, however, they generally are gentler with more focus on breathing exercises (pranayama). Poses are held for a few breaths and students usually move more slowly.

Hatha can be good for beginners who are looking to relax while improving flexibility and balance.

Another style, yin, is even more focused on recovery by working to stretch the muscles’ connective tissue. Students hold poses for 5 minutes or more, allowing the body to settle into a pose rather than pushing it.

The vinyasa/ashtanga styles

A more vigorous, flowing form of yoga, vinyasa coordinates movement with breath over a progression of asanas. Some higher-level vinyasa classes move at a pace of one movement per breath.

Often they will be called Flow or Power classes. They can be appropriate for people who are more athletic, but teachers still recommend that those students start with a beginner level.

“I wouldn’t really encourage them to start in a higher level vinyasa flow class because they’re not going to have the foundation to move safely through that,” said Anne Van Valkenburg, of Lanai, Hawaii, who has been training yoga teachers in a blend of styles for 18 years.

Another style, ashtanga, is similar except that it involves a set series of poses that students repeat day after day, often going at their own pace. As students get stronger, they advance to a higher series with more challenging poses, something akin to belt levels in martial arts.

The Iyengar style

This style involves the same poses as vinyasa but classes usually move at a slower pace — although they are not necessarily easier. The focus is more on precisely aligning parts of the body through small adjustments. Poses are held for longer and students rely more often on props including cushions, blocks or straps.

Iyengar is particularly good for people recovering from injuries, or for people who are already active but want to get the foundation of yoga before moving into different styles.

The caveat about choosing yoga styles

These days, most teachers blend various styles in their classes, and many classes aren’t billed with these terms. The few words describing the class should give you an idea of what to expect, but don’t be afraid to ask questions at the studio or reach out to individual teachers.

Ideally, seek out a beginner series, but if you can’t find one that’s right, don’t worry. Most teachers are happy to have beginners in their classes and will make accommodations.

Most of all, commit to trying a few classes until you find the style or teacher that resonates with you.

“I feel sad when someone tries yoga once or twice and they’re like, ‘Eh, I don’t like it,’” Van Valkenburg said. “There’s just so much out there that you might be missing something that’s super beneficial for your life.”

AP

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