Yoga has been gaining popularity in Shanghai for more than a decade, but this ancient practice has been getting a new twist of late. No longer is it merely about bending, stretching and turning yourself into the equivalent of a human pretzel. When it comes to moving from distress to de-stress, there are now a dizzying array of choices on offer.

Yoga dates back 5,000 years to its native India. The word "yoga" means "to join or yoke together," and aims at bringing body and mind together in a single harmonious experience. Traditionally, yoga has been a way of life that prescribes not just exercise techniques, but also eating habits, bathing habits, prayers, social interaction and work. Its original goal was to develop self-awareness and to find a sense of divinity within oneself.

There are over a hundred different schools of yoga around the world, with the most popular being hatha, vinyasa and ashtanga. These are the schools with which most people associate yoga today. Apart from these traditional types of yoga, Shanghai yoga studios also offer some lesser-known disciplines, ones that require more than simply practicing regular asanas (postures) and breathing exercises.

Laughter yoga

Laughter yoga works under the well-worn principle of "laugh and the whole world will laugh with you." The first laughter club began in a park in 1995 led by Dr Madan Kataria, (known as the "Guru of Giggling") a physician from Mumbai. Only a handful of people were in attendance. Since then, it has become a worldwide phenomenon with more than 6,000 social laughter clubs springing up around the world. Laughter yoga combines "unconditional" laughter with yogic breathing. The idea is just to keep laughing - for no reason - and to look into another person's eyes to stay connected. The concept is based on the fact that laughter is the best medicine and that the body can't differentiate between fake and real laughter, therefore receiving the same physiological and physical benefits. Laughter yoga clubs are run in over 60 countries for free by volunteers trained as laughter yoga teachers.

The only place in Shanghai offering laughter yoga classes is Sun Island, a golf club and a holiday resort in Qingpu district.

Sun Island Resort

Add: 2588 Shentai Road

沈太路2588号

Tel: 6186-9650

Hot yoga

Hot yoga, also known as Bikram Yoga, is practicing selected asanas, yoga postures and poses in a heated room. It was popularized in the early 1970s by Bikram Choudhury. Hot yoga is ideally practiced in a space heated up to 40 C, with a humidity of 40 percent. The practice contains 26 postures and two breathing exercises that are carried out over two hours. The heat helps to loosen the muscles and causes the body to sweat, which helps to relieve stress and tension. Sweating helps the body to get rid of toxins. The high temperature also increases cardiovascular activity and helps participants to burn off calories.

There are a couple of studios offering hot yoga classes in Shanghai.

Body and Soul Yoga

Add: Jing'an Center:

No.12, Lane 470 Shaanxi Road North

静安店: 陕西北路470弄12号

Lujiazui Center:

Room 401, 4/F, One Lujiazui Building, 68 Yincheng Road Middle 陆家嘴店: 银城中路68号时代金融中心4楼401室

Tel: 3218-0009

Freestyle Yoga Dance

This unusual combination of dance and yoga postures is run by Weila Wu, yoga instructor and owner of Yoga Space, which is the only place in Shanghai offering this type of yoga class. A former dancer and DJ, Wu combines yogic postures and breathing with native Indian and Chinese dancing, accompanied by electronic dance music, traditional Chinese fans and silk flags. The music ranges from the fast beats of techno and house, to more chilled-out sounds. The class aims to aid and develop a person's balance and coordination using aerobic exercises.

Yoga Space

Add: 3/F, 35 Gao'an Road

高安路35号3楼

Tel: 6431-3164

Shankha Prakshalana (Intestines Cleansing Yoga)

One of the oldest of all yoga schools, cleansing yoga not only cleans the intestines but the entire digestive system. It is said to purify the body, aid in weight loss and to get rid of toxins in the circulatory system. According to advocates it also cures hyperacidity, flatulence, indigestion, and purifies the blood, kidneys and urinary system. In order to attain optimal effects, each class should last for three hours and should be carried out at least once a month. The best time to practice cleansing yoga is early in the morning on an empty stomach and after a good night's sleep. After the class, it is recommended that practitioners do not eat anything until the next morning and that the first meal should not be solid foods; congee is ideal. It is recommended that no alcohol, cigarette, coffee or nuts are taken for one week after the class.

Body and Soul Yoga (address above) offers Shankha Prakshalana in private, one-to-one classes.