P90X has linear periodization built in I believe.
Linear periodization involves long-term "cycles" where you work to peak at a certain point. Olympic athletes rely on it heavily to peak for events. It usually involves several phases like an adaptive phase (light intensity, high volume), a hypertrophy phase, a strength phase, and a power phase (high intensity, low volume). Each phase is a mesocycle which lasts perhaps around a couple of weeks depending on your program.
Non-linear periodization (or undulating periodization) is much simpler in that each workout uses different intensities. For example, if you work out full body MWF each week, you may have your monday workout as 10 reps in each set, wednesday 8 reps, friday 6 reps. This method is a lot less about peaking and more about long-term muscle gain because of how it works one type of fiber while allowing another adequate rest.
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