Perhaps you’ve heard of Hatha yoga, Vinyasa yoga and even Ashtanga yoga, but have you heard of Rocket yoga? This relatively new yoga practise has only been around for 30 years and has already done wonders for making yoga more accessible to Western yogis.
In this article, we will cover:
- What Is Rocket Yoga?
- Where Did Rocket Yoga Originate?
- How Is Rocket Yoga Different?
- Benefits of Rocket Yoga
- Rocket Yoga Exercise and Poses
- Rocket Yoga Risks
- Is Rocket Yoga Right For You?
- How To Get Started With Rocket Yoga
- Hot Rocket Yoga
But before you jump in, you can get started on a career in this area of the fitness industry today! Check out our Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga here or download our latest course prospectus to find out more!
What is Rocket Yoga?
The name rocket yoga may be enough to have you recoil in fear, but don’t panic because the name makes it sound much harder than the practice actually is.
So, what is rocket yoga? This section will answer that question and will walk you through what the practice entails and how it is conceptualised: think of this as your rocket yoga for beginners class!
Rocket yoga is a modification of the traditional practice of ashtanga yoga, with one key difference: rocket yoga is much simpler.
Rocket yoga is specifically designed to break down the rigid structure of the traditional practice of ashtanga. When it was first developed, the primary goal of rocket yoga was to make the entire practice of yoga more accessible to westerners.
Rocket yoga is a fast-paced exercise that has a unique flow to it that is unlike any other yoga practice in the world. Instead of pushing you to learn the poses and adapt to the flow of the instructor, rocket yoga encourages you to create your own interpretations of the classic asana poses.
The rocket flow is yoga that is uniquely you: if you can’t get into a pose or struggle with one transition, then your instructor will work with you to ensure you can do it in your own way, however that may be.
The structure of rocket yoga can also be likened to that of ashtanga as they do consist of many similar poses such as the twists, bends, standing poses and seating poses: it is just how you get into the poses that make the practices different. Ultimately you could argue that rocket yoga is a less rigid, more freeing approach to yoga.
What Does Rocket Yoga Entail?
Rocket yoga can be split up into three key practices:
Rocket I
Think of this as rocket yoga for beginners: when you first begin taking rocket yoga classes this will be the class you are introduced to. This class will primarily be focusing on hip openers, forward bends and core strength. It will teach the basic poses you may expect to see in an ashtanga class, but naturally, it comes with the more freeing approach of rocket yoga.
Yin yoga is another style that takes a more leisurely approach to yoga.
One key difference between this class and other yoga practices is that Rocket I will also teach you arm balances. These arm balances are unique to the practice and will help you when attempting to enter poses that are specifically tailored for you and your body.
Some of the variations of poses that are taught within this class are The Navasana and the Supta Konasana pose.
Find out how you can Become a Yin Yoga Teacher by checking out our article today!
Rocket II
Once you have spent some time in Rocket I classes, you will begin your transition into Rocket II, which is designed to complement what you learnt in the previous section of the practice. So whether you want to do them both together as a way of complimenting each other or entirely separate is up to you – remember rocket yoga works best when it’s designed to fit your needs.
Rocket II classes are rooted in backbends and spinal twists whilst the seated position. Positions that are taught within this section are variations of the Supta Vajrasana and the Bakasana.
Rocket III
This phase brings together poses from both of the aforementioned classes. It focuses on twists and folds and helps ensure you build upon your balance and strength. Think of this as the culmination of everything you have learnt: this is the part of rocket yoga where you show what you know and what you can do.
We encourage you all to remember that whilst some yogis and instructors take other forms of yoga very seriously, with the hopes of improving their strength, flexibility, and mental health, it is important to remember that rocket yoga should not be taken too seriously and is intended to be a fun process.
When questioning, ‘what is rocket yoga?’, remember that whilst it is a challenging process, it is all about exploring your body and your limitations in a way that is unique to you.
It should not be a stressful or laborious experience but rather should be one that you look forward to every week.
Where Did Rocket Yoga Originate?
Rocket yoga was conceptualised in the year 1989, by a man named Larry Schultz who was affectionately nicknamed ‘the bad man of ashtanga’. Schultz had been previously studying the practice of ashtanga yoga for 9 years, in both India under the tutelage of K. Pattabhi Jois and by himself in America.
Over time, Schultz became disenfranchised with the entire concept of ashtanga yoga, he thought it was elitist, with a crooked hierarchy that refused to adapt to others needs and skill level.
This is because ashtanga yoga is broken up into multiple different practices and Schultz felt as though he was skilled enough to advance to the second series of ashtanga and practice other poses besides the ones in the primary series, but was never given the chance to do so.
So he broke away and formed his own studio ‘It’s Yoga’ in the heart of San Francisco. Schultz wanted to be everything that yoga wasn’t at the time.
During the early 90s, many yoga instructors bought into the ideology that their practice was elitist, and if you couldn’t do a pose it simply wasn’t for you. Schultz however wanted to offer his yogis his most authentic self, he wanted to work within the confines of each individual’s limitations and make coming to yoga class as fun as possible.
That was ultimately Schultz main ambition when developing the practice, he didn’t just want to make a rocket yoga for beginners class, he wanted to ensure that every single one of his classes was accessible to all. It wasn’t just rocket yoga as a class he wanted to make accessible either, Schultz’s entire yoga studio was an access point for the entire community, for dances, social meetings and was even used to house political gatherings.
Fun Fact: the name ‘Rocket Yoga’ wasn’t initially used by Schultz, who simply referred to his practice as a form of power yoga.
The name was first used by Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, who dubbed the practice as rocket yoga in the mid-1990s when Schultz was travelling as the band’s private yoga instructor.
Weir called it rocket yoga because ‘it gets you where you need to be’!
How Does Rocket Yoga Differ From Other Forms of Yoga?
We have briefly touched on what differentiates rocket yoga from traditional forms of ashtanga yoga, but we will reiterate it within this section whilst also discussing how it is different from other yoga practices.
Rocket Yoga VS Ashtanga Yoga
The biggest difference between rocket yoga and ashtanga that we have covered is its use of sequences. The usual rocket yoga sequence is less rigid in its overall delivery as you are essentially your own Guru when it comes to this practice.
Whilst there will be an instructor guiding the classes, if you can’t do something you are welcomed to skip that pose or to enter the pose in a way that is comfortable for you.
The structure of ashtanga acts in opposition to that of the rocket yoga sequence, it teaches that to advance onto the next stage of your yoga journey you must first master one set of poses individually.
Therefore, you can argue that the greatest difference between the two is how they’re taught. For some of you reading this, you may respond better to structure and discipline, in which case we would recommend you follow the practice of ashtanga.
However, others may have a similar mindset as Schultz and want to practice yoga in a fun going manner and will probably benefit more from rocket yoga classes.
To find out more about teaching ashtange yoga, take a look at our article: How to Become an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher.
Rocket Yoga VS Vinyasa Yoga
Rocket yoga also differentiates from vinyasa yoga. This is more to do with the overall type of yoga that each practice is, rather than the specific approaches or sequences that they teach.
Rocket yoga is a form of power yoga; whilst it is all about having fun some of the poses are considered to be incredibly intense and will require lots of energy and effort on your behalf.
Vinyasa on the other hand is less strenuous on the body, it focuses on synchronised breathing and ensuring that you transition each pose on your inhale or exhale. For this reason, whilst rocket is considered to be power yoga, vinyasa is considered to be ‘flow’ yoga.
Additionally, in vinyasa yoga, the classes are even less structured than that of rocket yoga. We have already discussed how rocket yoga is split into three separate classes (1-3) and that within these classes the rocket yoga sequence will always be the same, with the same group of poses always being taught.
On the other hand, in vinyasa yoga classes you never have a specific series of poses, every class will offer something different.
Other differences between the two practices involve how long each pose is held for. As mentioned in the point above, in rocket yoga classes there is a smaller collection of poses to choose from, however, they are typically held for longer than vinyasa classes.
This is because vinyasa is all about the flow, the transitioning from one pose to another, whereas rocket yoga is all about improving your strength and flexibility at your own pace.
The final difference that can be discussed between the two practices can be found in what they teach. Vinyasa teaches you to be more aware of your breath, as the teachings like to believe it is your breath that guides your body when transitioning into poses. In contrast, rocket yoga classes are all about teaching you to be aware of your body, how you move it, its strength and its level of flexibility.
As we have already discussed the rocket flow is yoga that is unique to you, it differs from the flow of vinyasa and the flow of ashtanga.
However, just because they are different does not mean one practice is superior to the other, to discover which one is most beneficial to you we’d recommend trying a series of yoga classes before settling on the one you like.
Find out how you can start a career with this style of yoga by checking out our article: How to Become a Vinyasa Yoga Teacher.
What are the Benefits of Rocket Yoga?
There are many benefits to practising rocket yoga, which can help both your physical and psychological health.
Some of the studies that are used within this section are contextualised through ashtanga and/or power yoga. We have chosen to include these studies as there is little to no research conducted on rocket yoga specifically, many academic research studies simply regard it as being a part of ashtanga.
#1 Improves Mental Health
We all know that yoga can help us improve our mental health, it is a great source of exercise that helps us unwind and destress after a long day. But how does rocket yoga help us destress?
The answer to this question lies in your nervous system – did you know we have over 72,000 nerves in our body that all send signals from our brain to the rest of our body? Mental illnesses such as stress and anxiety can be caused when these nerves don’t function correctly, as our brain and body will fail to communicate with one another.
However, when we practice rocket yoga we can clear out our nerves and tissues through stretching and poses. This can remove any nerve blockages and improve neurotransmissions between your muscles and nerves.
This in turn creates a better relationship between your brain and body, as when our nerves and tissues are clean and clear, the impulses (or prana) flow smoothly from your body to your brain.
Backbends, in particular, are known to improve mental health as continuously bending deeply forward, followed by bending deeply backward stretches the spine. This allows fresh blood and nutrients into the spinal cord, which stimulates the major nerves within your brain.
By doing poses such as the upward and downward-facing dog, you will feel a gradual sense of calmness wash over you for this very reason.
This notion of rocket yoga improving mental health is supported by research conducted in 2020 when the Journal of Sports and Medicine investigated yoga stretching on the Stress Hormones and Parasympathetic Nerve Activity. Their research tested rocket yoga for men with no previous yoga experience, who would participate in ashtanga based classes for 90 minutes. Their stress levels were recorded before and after the stretching through their saliva hormones.
This research found that doing just 90 minutes of ashtanga yoga can enhance nerve activity and improve stress hormones and the mental state of adult men.
#2 Boosts Cardiovascular Health
As a form of power yoga, rocket yoga is seen as a good exercise in cardiovascular health. This is due to the fact it is fast-paced and involves intense resistance training. A 2018 piece of research found that 27 men and women who partook in just 45 minutes of power yoga, saw an increase in their vigorous heart rate (p < 0.0001).
This research shows that power yoga workouts can raise and sustain your heart rate. Getting your heart rate up during exercise is great for your body’s blood circulation, and will allow more oxygen to pass through to your muscles and organs. Remember the heart is a muscle, just like any muscle the more you work it, the stronger it will get.
That is why the repetitiveness rocket yoga sequence is a great workout for the heart because it is always the same sequence, so your body and heart can easily adapt and strengthen to the workout.
Other benefits of increased cardiovascular health can also extend to:
- Strengthening of the lungs
- Improving cholesterol levels
- Helping control high blood pressure
- Helping with weight loss
- Improving your sleeping pattern
- Improving your brain function
- Reducing the risk of conditions such as heart disease, strokes and diabetes.
Whilst cardio and aerobic exercise are also other beneficial activities for cardiovascular health, eating the right things are also ways to boost your heart: try incorporating eggs and eggplant into your diet!
#3 Weight Loss
Due to its fast-paced nature, rocket yoga also acts as a great cardio workout. It can help to improve, strengthen and tone your muscles and will also burn more calories than most other forms of cardio.
Because it is a lot more intense than Hatha or vinyasa yoga, rocket yoga is naturally going to burn more calories. The blog Yoga Accessories found that hot rocket yoga (labelled as hot power yoga) can burn up to 620 calories when done for 60 minutes and 930 calories when done for 90.
Naturally, hot rocket yoga will burn up more calories as your body will be sweating more, but even with regular rocket yoga the calories burned at a faster rate, due to its intense nature.
Whilst discussing rocket yoga the calories burned during the process will always be a topic of interest, however, you can also lose weight in a more self-sufficient way with rocket yoga. As previously discussed, rocket yoga teaches you how to become more aware of your own body and a 2013 study conducted by the American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine suggested having a better connection could lead to weight loss.
This research found that by practising power yoga, the participants within the study became more aware of the food that would cause their body discomfort whilst practising. Avoiding these foods eventually leads the participants to lose weight.
We can conclude this section by saying that in rocket yoga the calories burned is similar to the rocket flow of yoga, in the sense that it is entirely subjective to you. How much effort and work you put into the practice, both inside and outside of the yoga studio will determine how much weight you will lose.
– – – –
For more information on becoming a yoga teacher, read some of OriGym’s other guides!
- Yoga Instructor Salary Explained
- What Makes A Good Yoga Teacher?
- How Hard Is It To Become A Yoga Instructor?
#4 Improves Motor Control
Rocket yoga is also known to help improve motor control among individuals who suffer from disabilities such as Parkinson’s disease.
This advantage is once again in part due to the rocket yoga sequence, which requires you to hold the same positions for long periods of time. As a result, your body will become better accustomed to performing these tasks and your muscles will become stronger in the process.
A study published in 2016, supports this idea as it found that people with Parkinson’s disease who partook in twice-weekly rocket/power yoga sessions saw a significant improvement in their muscle rigidity. It also found that the participants’ tremors significantly decreased as a result of the yoga classes.
The research ultimately argued that these improvements were down to muscle strength, which as we discussed occurs thanks to the rocket yoga sequence. The more the participants practised and held the poses for the stronger their muscles became.
Another simple way to alleviate some of the symptoms of cognitive diseases is by eating blueberries!
Rocket Yoga Exercises and Poses
As you will see from the poses below, arm balances are integral to the rocket flow of yoga. Before attending rocket yoga classes, perhaps you would benefit from ensuring your arm muscles are strong and can sustain intensity training.
Remember, some of the poses we are about to introduce may be too difficult for you to do, so if that is the case then find a way to make the poses your own. Sometimes using props such as yoga blocks, yoga blankets, or yoga cushions can help build your flexibility gradually.
The Crane Pose
The Crane Pose, or Bakasana as it is otherwise known, is appropriately named as it resembles the typical stance of a crane. This is considered to be an intermediate pose and it is recommended that you should practice the crane every morning on an empty stomach. Try to hold the pose for 30-60 seconds.
To enter this pose, you are going to begin in a squat position. Try to have your knees as close to your chest as possible, as you place both hands firmly on your yoga mat. Take several calming breaths, and when you feel as if you’re ready slowly push off the ground with your legs, pushing all weight into your arms. Your knees should still be held at your chest and your legs sticking out ever so slightly.
The benefits of this pose are that it should increase your flexibility as well as your endurance capacity. Also, this pose is great for those who suffer upper back pain as it stretches your spine in that targeted area.
Make sure you practice this in a safe area and preferably on a good quality yoga mat.
The Peacock Pose
The Peacock, or Mayurasana pose, is named so because your body will look like that of a peacock walking around with its feathers down. Once again, it is recommended that you practice this pose on an empty stomach, trying to hold for 30-60 second intervals.
To enter this pose you want to begin laying face down on the mat, with your arms placed firmly at your side, palms also facing down on the mat. Slowly push your legs off the ground keeping them tightly held together, once your legs are in the air push your chest off the ground and use your arms to hold up your body.
Depending on your skill level you can either keep your legs in line with your body, in a pose that would resemble a plank. Alternatively, if you wish to challenge yourself, you can push your legs higher into a 180-degree angle.
The benefits of the peacock pose are that it is actually known to help with digestion problems such as constipation. It also strengthens areas in the upper half of your body, such as your head, neck and lungs. The peacock pose in particular is also known to detoxify your body, which should leave you feeling calm and focused for several hours.
One of the benefits of milk thistle is that it helps reduce stomach pains. It can also help remove toxins from the body!
The Headstand
The Headstand, or the Salamba Sirsasana pose as it is also known, is an inversion of the body’s natural position. For this reason, it is sometimes referred to as the king of all asanas. It is considered to be an advanced pose, so only try it if you’re somewhat versed in rocket and/or power yoga.
It is once again recommended that you practice this pose on an empty stomach, however, unlike most poses on this list you will hold it for longer than a few seconds. Depending on how advanced you are, the recommended length to hold this pose is 1-5 minutes.
Before you even enter this pose, please ensure that you have a comfortable yoga mat to rest your head-on.
Place your forearms onto the floor and make sure your elbows are shoulder-width apart. Place the crown of your head onto the mat, breath in and slowly begin to lift your legs off the ground.
You must lift both feet at the same time to ensure that your weight is evenly distributed. It is okay if your knees bend slightly, just make sure that your legs are straight and directly above the floor. To ensure that your weight isn’t on your neck and head, try to hold yourself up with your pelvis and tailbone, this is the area where you should feel the most weight.
The Headstand pose is known to stimulate the pituitary and pineal glands, as well as being therapeutic for insomnia, mild depression, asthma and sinusitis. If you are a beginner, you can use a wall to support your legs during the process, again remember the rocket yoga sequence is all about making things work for you.
The Scorpion Pose
Finally, this list of recommended poses concludes with the Scorpion pose, otherwise known as the Vrischikasana pose. This is also an advanced pose and is not recommended for most beginners.
You should do this pose in the afternoon/evening time with a gap of 4-6 hours from your last meal. There is also no recommended period of time to hold this pose, hold it for however long you feel comfortable.
To enter this pose, begin in a kneeling position with both knees and palms down on the floor. Drop your forearms to the ground too, ensure that both arms are a shoulders length apart. It is also important to make sure that your arms are parallel to each other. Once you are ready lift your hips so that your feet are now on the floor instead of your knees.
Now slowly walk towards your elbows, once you are in as tight as possible bring your right leg off the ground and lift towards the ceiling. Push yourself onto the ball of your left foot and gently begin to rock back and forth, until you build up enough momentum to push the left foot off the ground.
Now that both feet are off the ground, bring both your legs and feet together. Bend your knees and start to push your toes towards your head, while you push your chest forward towards the arms.
The Scorpion pose is great for slowing down ageing, as it improved the blood flow towards the brain and pituitary gland. This pose will also loosen up any tension in your back, as well as strengthening the muscles in your arms.
What Are The Risks Involved With Rocket Yoga?
There are several risks involved when practising rocket yoga, however, before we go through them individually it is important to note that many of these risks can be avoided by performing one simple task.
Be honest with yourself and your skill level, never bite off more than you can chew as the age-old advice goes, and if a pose looks too complex for you skip it. Remember rocket yoga is all about having fun so if you’re stressing over it then perhaps it simply isn’t the practice for you.
As a form of power yoga, rocket yoga classes can move at an incredibly fast pace. To attend these classes, we would recommend that you already have a good relationship with your body’s strength and overall fitness. Because many of these poses, such as the peacock, headstand and scorpion, require the support of your upper body, if you don’t have good muscle strength in that area you run the risk of injuring yourself.
Likewise, a basic understanding of yoga is also required to avoid further injuries. Every single form of yoga requires a basic understanding of breathwork, however, forms such as rocket and vinyasa will require a deeper understanding of this practice.
With poor breathwork, you run the risk of injuring yourself, as it will make holding the poses more strenuous and painful on your body. This can result in falls, muscle strains, and even ligament tears.
An understanding of the ashtanga yoga form is also required to practice rocket yoga safely. If you are unfamiliar with poses, how long they are held, or how to perform them in a way that is safe and comfortable for your body then you also run the risk of injury.
All of these risks can be avoided by keeping a good fitness routine and doing your research. Ensure that your body is kept in top physical condition, whilst also ensuring the exercise routine is right for you.
Remember, rocket yoga is all about being in tune with your body, so before you even practice the form you should be honest with yourself when questioning whether or not you can feasibly do it safely.
Additionally, if you have any kind of chronic condition or are currently pregnant we would advise you to speak to your doctor before practising rocket yoga. Whilst rocket yoga can be great for pregnant women, the rocket classes can get very physically intense. For this reason, it is best to check with a professional before potentially putting yourself in harm’s way.
Is Rocket Yoga Right For You?
It can be somewhat difficult to gauge whether rocket yoga is right for you. Whilst the flow and structure of rocket yoga are unique to your body and its capabilities, it is also important to remember the poses and stretches involved in rocket yoga are incredibly complex and difficult to master.
As a form of power yoga, rocket yoga for men and women alike can be challenging and should only be approached if you have previous experience in other forms of yoga. If you would like to set yourself long term goals, perhaps you should try Vinyasa yoga, to provide yourself with a basic foundation of yoga knowledge.
However, if you do have experience in yoga and are looking for a new challenge, it would also be recommended that you have some form of endurance training. You will be holding some of these poses for several minutes which will be strenuous on your body, this will be made twice as hard if you have no experience in endurance whatsoever. However, if you are accustomed to working out for 60 minutes or longer, then rocket yoga may be the exercise for you.
To find out more about experience as a yoga teacher, check out our article: How Much Experience Do I Need Before Yoga Teacher Training?
Similarly, if you’re comfortable participating in other forms of intense exercise such as CrossFit, you may also enjoy the workout that rocket yoga provides.
It is easy to be sucked in by the concept of accessible yoga: whilst you can do the poses at your own speed they are still very challenging. Rocket yoga is not for the faint of heart, which is why it is important to do your research before attending a class.
Another factor that you have not considered is how time-consuming rocket yoga classes are. Classes can typically range anywhere between 60-90 minutes. They aren’t classes that you can do quickly before moving on to whatever you have planned. They require time to be set aside every day to do them accurately, so if you’re on a busy schedule then perhaps rocket yoga may not be for you.
We here at OriGym would recommend trying to do some of the poses at home first, if they are too hard to perform then perhaps you should either consider doing other forms of yoga first or working on your endurance and muscle training first.
Always remember to stay safe, if something doesn’t feel right when you’re in the pose, ease out of it immediately. Never put yourself into a situation where you can potentially injure yourself. Be aware of your body, its capabilities, and your skill level.
How to Get Started With Rocket Yoga!
It can be somewhat challenging to find rocket yoga classes in fitness centres or yoga studios. This is because they may be advertised as ashtanga classes or power yoga classes.
Consult with someone who works for your studio, gym or fitness centre before committing to a class, even if rocket yoga isn’t taught there they may be able to recommend another location or personal instructor.
As we have made abundantly clear in the final two sections of this article if you have no previous yoga experience you should enter rocket classes with caution. We would recommend taking some beginners classes in Hatha and vinyasa yoga before diving into the deep end of rocket yoga.
If you’d like to try rocket yoga from the comfort of your own home before committing to joining a class, we would recommend looking on YouTube for some instructional videos. Do your research and try to find a video/instructor that is right for you, see who’s style/pace/structure you connect with the most. By doing this you will become better attuned with your own body.
However, if you’re interested in learning how you can teach Hatha yoga, check out our article: How to Become a Hatha Yoga Teacher.
FAQs
Are there other forms of power yoga besides Rocket yoga?
Yes, rocket yoga is merely one form that is taught during power-based classes. Power yoga is a word that is used to describe many forms of yoga that are taught in a fast and energetic way. Think of power yoga as a word used to describe an intense burst of exercise; the classes may teach the rocket, vinyasa or ashtanga structure but all will be fast-paced and strenuous.
If you see power yoga advertised at your local gym, ask the instructor which forms they will be teaching before joining the class.
What is Hot Rocket Yoga?
Much like the phrase power yoga, hot yoga is another variation of the practice that can include many different forms. With power yoga, the intensity of the practice is what makes it different, but with hot yoga, it is the setting of the class. Hot yoga classes will typically be performed in a sauna or an environment that will allow for heat and humid air to stay trapped.
This will result in a considerable amount of sweating during the class, but as discussed during the benefits section this is the aspect that is appealing to people looking to lose weight. As mentioned above, hot yoga can take many forms including hot rocket yoga and hot vinyasa yoga.
Before You Go!
If you’re just learning about rocket yoga for the first time and have decided to pursue this form, we wish you the best of luck in all your future challenges and success.
Get started on an exciting journey towards your dream career with our Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga. For more information on our services download our latest course prospect for FREE.
References:
- Nobuhiko Eda, Hironaga Ito and Takao Akama. (2020) Beneficial Effects of Yoga Stretching on Salivary Stress Hormones and Parasympathetic Nerve Activity. Journal of Sports Science & Medicine
- Matthew M Schubert, Amy S Clark, Annie B De La Rosa, Sean C Newcomer. (2018) Heart rate and thermal responses to power yoga. PubMed
- Juliette Oliva (2015) Calorie Count: Hatha, Vinyasa and Hot Yoga. Yoga Accessories
- Adam M. Bernstein Judi Bar, Jane Pernotto Ehrman,, Mladen Golubic, Michael F. Roizen. (2013) Yoga in the Management of Overweight and Obesity. American College of Lifestyle Medicine.
- Meng Ni, Kiersten Mooney, Joseph F Signorile. (2016) Controlled pilot study of the effects of power yoga in Parkinson’s disease. PubMed.