'Meditative forms of yoga are especially useful' ~ Holger Cramer.

Holger Cramer is a prolific yoga researcher. His research suggests that yoga can significantly ease symptoms of depression through the following benefits;

*Improves nervous system function.

*Decreases stress hormones.

*Activates attention networks.

*Reduces emotional reactivity.

*Reduces dysfuncitonal thoughts, and

* Enhances positive psychological characteristics.

The question is; What exactly constitutes a 'meditative' form of yoga? A 'restorative' practice; blankets, blocks, and bolsters / supported resting postures; or more of 'yin' style yoga practices; or vinyasa style practices?

Of course all of the above could be 'meditative' forms of yoga as it is all about the presentation.

Certainly a guided meditation can be brought into a restorative form of yoga. Yin Yoga, which is not a 'restorative' form of yoga but a very interoceptive yoga practice brings forth a meditation state naturally, and slow flow vinyasa certainly can invite meditation - but what about a 'hot, fast and sweaty' yoga?

For many fast yoga is so demanding on a physical level our focus is to simply 'get through it'.

Meditation is more about interoception, letting are awarenes move deeper, and for many this is simply not possible during a fast vinyasa class.

A slower, more mindful moving vinyasa class might just be your ticket to better explore a moving meditation; to go a bit deeper and really begin to 'listen' to not only what you need on a physical level, but what you need on an emotional and spiritual level as well.

Namaste!