Hathayoga

Yoga encompasses a variety of different paths, each suited to people of different temperaments and lifestyles. The main ones are karmayoga (the yoga of action and service), bhaktiyoga (the yoga of devotion), jnanayoga (the yoga of knowledge) and rajayoga (royal yoga). Rajayoga emphasizes mental purification through proper conduct, breathing exercises, physical health and control of the sense organs.

Hathayoga is a type of rajayoga and is the most commonly practiced form of yoga around the world; it is also quite popular in Taiwan. Ha means "sun," and tha means "moon," signifying day and night, complementary relationships, harmony, opposition, and balance. The practice of hathayoga includes asanas (postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), bandhas, (restricting the breath to certain parts of the body in order to generate energy), and kriyas, (cleansing activities).

Mantrayoga

Many different yoga sects employ mantra recitation, with differences as to the style and content of the chanting, in order to unify and concentrate the mind and engender faith. Prolonged chanting of mantras can result in such mystical experiences as visions of light and sublime joy. Because it is a relatively simple practice which yields powerful results, mantra recitation is emphasized by many major yoga sects. In general, mantra chanting is based on the "seven seed syllables," each of which represents one of the seven cakras (literally "wheels," the subtle energy centers of the human body): the muladhara (base) cakra, the svadhisthana (genital) cakra, the manipura (navel) cakra, the anahata (heart) cakra, the vishuddha (throat) cakra, the ajna cakra (the "third eye" located between the eyebrows), and the sahasrara (crown) cakra.

Bikram yoga

Bikram yoga stresses the importance of asana practice in a classroom which has been warmed up to 40 °C in order induce sweating. Some people, however, can't stand the heat and end up suffering from such symptoms as vomiting and enervation. Because the Bikram yoga technique has been copyrighted by its founder, Bikram Choudhury, the same style of yoga is sometimes taught under the name of "hot yoga" or "warm yoga."

Oki-do yoga

Oki-do yoga was founded by the Japanese man Oki Masahiro. After World War II, wanting to make a practical contribution to society, he joined a United Nations volunteer group and was sent to India, where he discovered the profound secrets of yoga. Thereupon, taking yoga as the focus, he combined meditation, Eastern and Western medicine, and various religious teachings to form a unique, systematized, scientific and practical form of yoga which he called Oki-do yoga after himself.

The practical approach to spiritual growth emphasized by Oki-do yoga is akin to the teachings of Daoism. Oki-do yoga stresses that life itself is God. Yoga means "union," especially the union of the microcosm with the macrocosm, union with God and truth, with the realization that God is already in one's life. The flow of life is originally unobstructed and natural, so living in harmony with the laws of nature brings mental and physical well-being, as well as real happiness.

Pilates

This fitness regimen was founded by the German Joseph H. Pilates. He suffered from poor health in his early years, and his greatest hope was to enjoy good health. While serving as a medical assistant during World War I he took care of paraplegic patients, an experience which made him appreciate even more the importance of a properly functioning body.

In 1920 Pilates developed a series of exercises which utilized a variety of props in order to enhance their effect. One such device was a spring-loaded rehabilitation bed on which a patient could exercise while lying down.

Combining Eastern and Western concepts of exercise, Pilates formulated his own philosophy of fitness, which includes strengthening the muscles, increasing flexibility, enhancing awareness of the body, improving posture, and preventing injuries. His method places much stress on body-mind integration and using the mind to control the body. It also includes special breathing exercises which stimulate the muscles, improve the functioning of the heart and lungs, promote relaxation, and reduce stress. At present the only rehabilitation unit in Taiwan utilizing the system devised by Pilates is the rehabilitation center at the Wanfang Hospital.

Yogalates

Many distinguished yoga teachers combine yoga with the Pilates method, having found exclusive practice of one or the other insufficient. Louise Solomon, the principal founder of yogalates, is a case in point. After practicing yoga for many years, she suffered an injury which led her to take up the practice of Pilates. Having discovered the advantage of combining yoga and Pilates practice, she devoted herself to the development of yogalates, which places relatively more importance on individual characteristics, and not only improves flexibility but also increases muscle strength to make the body more stable.