Why choose Kripalu yoga over other styles? - WeMystic

Why choose Kripalu yoga over other styles?


Home » Well-being Yoga
Neda S-W.
By Neda S-W.
TimeReading time: 4 min

This article will explore the history and rise of Kripalu yoga. We know yoga crazes have come and gone – Harry Potter yoga anyone? Dominatrix yoga anyone? Yep, seriously, they’re out there! But unlike these fads, Kripalu yoga is an important modern yoga style and it can benefit yoga practitioners at all stages of their journey.

Read also
10 tips on how to choose a yoga retreat

History of Kripalu yoga


Kripalu yoga gained a mass following in the early 80’s under the direction of yoga guru Amrit Desai. The name of the practice comes from Desai’s teacher, Sri Kripalvananda. While Desai’s teacher was a Kundalini yoga master, the essence of Kripalu yoga is grounded in traditional hatha style with a focus on meditation and self-observation.

Receive all our tips by email!

Love Astrology? Subscribe Now and Receive Exclusive Content!

Subscribe for Free

Kripalu yoga first gained popularity in the USA and having grown in popularity in the last three decades, the Kripalu Yoga and Wellness centre in Stockbridge, Massachusetts remains one of – if not the – biggest yoga centres in America.

Kripalu yoga: what is it exactly?

Starting from the top: It’s wildly inclusive. While yoga is deeply grounded in the practice of opening minds, it is ironic that some studios or centres can give out a “yogier than thou” feel, which can seem unsettling and even intimidating.

Overwhelmingly, Kripalu yoga is considered a gentle, entry level practice which allows individuals to adapt their approach depending on their mobility, yogi prowess and even their energy on any given day.

This spirit of acceptance, means Kripalu can often appeal to those who feel like they live a little outside of the norm (whatever that is) or those who are looking to bounce back from a set back, whether that is emotional or physical.

As Laura Griffin , a Kripalu instructor so eloquently says:

Kripalu embraces all body types, ages and fitness levels. No two bodies are alike so no two triangles (trikonasanas) will ever look the same. And how beautiful is that?

Kripalu yoga is a more gentle iteration of hatha yoga. It combines asana, breathing techniques, mudras and meditation. Depending on your level, mobility and confidence, there are typically three stages of Kripalu yoga:

1. Alignment: holding poses for a short time
2. Awareness: As we hold our poses for longer periods of time we gain much
more awareness of our physical body
3. Meditation: A more free flowing session led by the practitioner based on
how they feel and their current energy flow (prana)

Read also
Types of Yoga: cheat sheet

The final difference between Kripalu yoga and other forms is that the classes are always finished with the words “Jai Bhagwan” rather than “Namaste” although both phrases mean the same thing (“I see God in you”) the latter is the traditional Sanskrit term whilst the former is its modern Hindi equivalent, reflecting the modern approach Kripalu takes.

Kripalu yoga

Benefits of Kripalu yoga

Like other types of yoga, Kripalu yoga delivers the holy trinity: stress relief, better flexibility and increased strength.

Beyond this though, there are several other critical benefits of a more gentle style of yoga:

  • Firstly, it’s a form of yoga that is available to those who cannot do a session requiring a huge amount of flexibility and strength. Kripalu can be liberating for those with injuries or disabilities.
  • Secondly, it can protect and nurture joints and muscles. The slower pace and gradual repositioning between poses allows you to explore and pinpoint any pain and limits, so that you are safe and comfortable in each pose.
  • Finally, Kripalu can help with digestion and sleep, the slow, rhythmic motion soothes the nervous system. Some have even cited Kripalu as being a treatment for insomnia.

In summary, Kripalu yoga can be a great introductory style of yoga. The slower pace means the novice yogi can easily develop a solid understanding of foundational poses and quickly build confidence. Kripalu allows for reflection and meditation, which are extremely important pillars of yoga that are often forgotten in favour of a more speedy exercise type class. With Kripalu yoga, the essence of yoga is preserved.

Read also
Therapeutic Yoga: isn’t all yoga therapeutic?

You may also like:

  • Yoga: different types and benefits
  • Pregnancy yoga: what are the benefits?
  • Pancha mahabhutas: what to know
  • Prithvi: everything you need to know
  • Mudras: what are they and how can they help me?



WeMystic
  • Astrology
    • Daily Horoscope 🔮
    • Weekly Horoscope
    • Monthly Horoscope
    • Zodiac Signs
    • Birth Chart
    • Chinese Horoscope
    • Moon
    • Astrological Calendar
  • Well-being
    • Self-Empowerment
    • Stones and Crystals
    • Chakras and Reiki
    • Feng Shui
    • Meditation and Yoga
    • Alternative Therapies
  • Spirituality
    • Prayers
    • Psalms
    • Angels
    • Other Religions
  • Esotericism
    • Dreams
    • Karma and Reincarnation
    • Baths and Cleanses
    • Rituals
  • Divination
    • Online reading
    • Numerology
    • Monthly Tarot
  • WeMystic

    WeMystic is a content platform aimed at helping our community to make more conscious and informed decisions in the field of Astrology, Spirituality and Wellness.

    EN
    • FR
    • PT_BR
    • ES

  • About us
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms and Conditions
  • Cookies Policy
© 2025 WeMystic - Made by us, with ♥
  • Astrology
    • Daily Horoscope 🔮
    • Weekly Horoscope
    • Monthly Horoscope
    • Zodiac Signs
    • Birth Chart
    • Chinese Horoscope
    • Moon
    • Astrological Calendar
  • Well-being
    • Self-Empowerment
    • Stones and Crystals
    • Chakras and Reiki
    • Feng Shui
    • Meditation and Yoga
    • Alternative Therapies
  • Spirituality
    • Prayers
    • Psalms
    • Angels
    • Other Religions
  • Esotericism
    • Dreams
    • Karma and Reincarnation
    • Baths and Cleanses
    • Rituals
  • Divination
    • Online reading
    • Numerology
    • Monthly Tarot
  • WeMystic
    EN
    • FR
    • PT_BR
    • ES

Cookies management

This website uses necessary, analytical and advertising cookies to improve the user's browsing experience, display ads of interest and compile statistical data. To allow the use of all types of cookies click on Accept. If you want to choose just a few, click on Settings. You can get more information about how we use cookies in the WeMystic Cookie Policy and how your data may be used for personalization of ads on Google's Privacy & Terms.

Cookies settings

These cookies are necessary for the website to function and cannot be turned off. Such cookies are only set in response to actions taken by the user, such as language, currency, logins, privacy preferences. You can set your browser to block these cookies, but this may affect the way our website works.

These cookies allow us to measure visitor traffic and see traffic sources by collecting information in datasets. They also help us understand which products and actions are more popular than others.

Third-party vendors
  • Google General
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Ads
  • Facebook (Meta)
  • Taboola
  • HotJar.com
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Cloudflare
  • Google Fonts
  • jsdelivr.com

These cookies are typically set by our marketing and advertising partners. They can be used by them to build a profile of your interest and later show you relevant ads. If you do not allow these cookies, you will not experience ads targeted to your interests.

Third-party vendors
  • Google Ads
  • Facebook (Meta)
  • Taboola

Allows user information to be sent anonymously to Google and Meta.

Third-party vendors
  • Google General
  • Google Analytics
  • Google Ads
  • Facebook (Meta)

It allows platforms to personalize and target ads according to your interests and online profile. If you don't allow it, you won't see ads tailored to your interests. You can see how Google may use your data for personalization of ads on Google's Privacy & Terms.

Third-party vendors
  • Google Ads
  • Facebook (Meta)
  • Taboola

You can get more information about how we use cookies in the WeMystic Cookie Policy and how your data may be used for personalization of ads on Google's Privacy & Terms.

UserConsent