Yoga comes in many different styles, each with its own techniques and varying benefits. If you’re a beginner, you may be overwhelmed by your choices in yoga classes, but keep in mind what it is you want to experience and achieve through yoga. Perhaps you want a meditative class or something more physically demanding. Either way, it’s great to learn new variations of yoga to enhance your experience and break out of your comfort zone.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga translates to “Eight Limb path” and this variation of yoga puts you through a sequence of postures, performing them exactly in the same order. It is fast-paced, rigorous, and can be physically challenging. It’s certainly not for a beginner and even more experienced yogis may find it difficult. Typically, you will undergo six series, each increasing in difficulty. However, some classes allow students to work at their own pace while being assessed by instructors.
Hatha Yoga
In Sanskrit, “hatha” is a generic term for all the physical yoga postures. In Western practices, hatha yoga refers to styles grounded in physical practice and is the most popular kind. Beginners can ease themselves into yoga with hatha classes as you will be gently introduced to the most basic yoga postures and will show you classic approaches to breathing and exercises. While not as intricate and strenuous as other types of yoga, you’ll leave your hatha yoga class feeling looser and more relaxed.
Hot Yoga
Hot yoga is practiced in a heated room. You can therefore expect a ‘sweaty‘ workout. Pregnant women and people with heart ailments and blood pressure issues should avoid hot yoga or consult with their doctors first before signing up for a class.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga entails intense classes where you can practice both the physical and spiritual aspects of yoga. This style of yoga releases the supposedly trapped kundalini energy in your lower spine. The fast-moving postures can invigorate you while also work on your core. Some classes may involve chanting, mantra, and meditation.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is known for its use of props, like blocks, belts, bolsters, chairs, and blankets, and can be both physically and mentally challenging. This style was developed by B.K.S Iyengar in India and is particular about paying close attention to proper alignment in poses as you hold them for a long time. The props help students go through poses safely, but if you’re recovering from any injury, it’s advisable not to do Iyengar classes.
Restorative Yoga
As the name suggests, restorative yoga is all about allowing students to relax and to release the body into a stretch that can be held for as long as 10 minutes. Restorative classes also make use of props to support students getting into passive poses. Restorative yoga may even be more rejuvenating than a nap and is perfect for anyone looking to soothe frayed nerves.
Yin Yoga
Even though yin yoga is quite slow-paced, it can still be challenging for yogis who are unused to the practice. Poses are held for three minutes or longer with the purpose of applying moderate stress to areas of the body like the tendons, fascia and ligaments. This results in increased circulation and improved flexibility and mobility.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is all about individualism, self-discovery and personal transformation. Vinyasa translates to “to place in a special way” and can encompass different styles of yoga. A Vinyasa class will vary with each teacher, but essentially, breath and movement is synchronised with a smooth transition or flow from pose to pose.
Sources: https://www.doyogawithme.com/types-of-yoga
https://www.gaiam.com/blogs/discover/a-beginners-guide-to-8-major-styles-of-yoga
https://www.mindbodygreen.com/articles/the-11-major-types-of-yoga-explained-simply
