New Schools of Yoga: Para, Vini and Forrest

If you know your plank from your pigeon pose, chances are you're one of 20 million devotees of the main schools of yoga. Each of the more traditional yogic philosophies (Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, Bikram and Sivananda) can be traced to individual mentors and teachers throughout India. However, many of these ancient sages also trained American yogis who then delivered their unique styles back to the States, and over time, helped them grow and evolve to more Western-inspired schools of yoga proliferating across the country. You can now sign up for one of these modern yoga classes to blast body fat, cultivate strength and calmness, and even flatten your abs, yoga-style, one Downward Dog at a time:

Para Yoga, Main Teacher: Rod Stryker
Original guru Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger
While many aspects of these dynamic classes look familiar with flowing Sun Salutations and challenging arm balance poses such as Crow (where you place and balance both knees inside your respective armpits and float your feet off the floor), Para Yoga also emphasizes pranayama practice (all different kinds of breathing) and teaches from the ancient yogic texts and applies these themes (charity, karma and meditation, for instance) to current life. Ultra-modern yogi Rod Stryker is based in Los Angeles and said he "manifests self-awareness and transforms energy."

Vini Yoga, Main Teacher: Gary Kraftsow
Original guru T.K.V Desikachar
"Vini" is an ancient Sanskrit term that implies differentiation and adaptation, and so all ViniYoga classes emphasize that each pose can be tailored to the individual. Originally created on the island of Maui, Vini classes include chanting, meditation, prayer, asana (practicing poses) and center on stabilizing the spine and coordinating your breath with each flowing movement. Other points of differentiation in this more gentle yoga practice include slower repetitions of certain poses with longer hold times with an emphasis on personalizing your breath.

Forrest Yoga, Main Teacher: Ana Forrest
Based on multitude yoga styles and healing modalities
Forrest Yoga helps you connect to your core -- getting strong and centered in the middle of a heated room. This intermediate-advanced flowing practice utilizes room temperature, deep breathing and vigorous sequences to sweat out toxins. The long holds in the pose progressions oxygenate and rejuvenate every cell. "Forrest Yoga teaches you how to develop skills in awakening each of the senses to bring aliveness, using breath and igniting your passion for living," said Forrest. She travels throughout the country teaching retreats and workshops.

Want to try some classic moves right now? Check out some body-sculpting, yoga-inspired workouts!

Fitness expert Nicole Dorsey Straff is a Los Angeles-based exercise physiologist and author, and frequently writes about diet, health and wellness.