Mar
11 Major Yoga Type Tips – Beginners Yoga Guide
11 yoga type guide help you to choose your perfect one. What is the difference between hot yoga and Hatha yoga? The array of options can be enough to scare new starters off the yoga mat for good.
Why you should not be scared?
Try a few different styles of yoga, studios and teachers. Then, stick with the one that resonates with you for a good amount of time and be dedicated to the practice.
Like cross training, incorporating a variety of yoga types into your regular practice can help keep you balanced. Different types of yoga might be best for different people.
There is your definitive list of classes that specialize in yoga for beginners — and, take our tips for identifying the style you might like best.
Hatha yoga
Hatha is a term for all physical postures of yoga. In the West, hatha yoga simply refers to all the other styles of yoga in a physical practice. However, the physical-based yoga is the most popular and has numerous styles. Hatha classes today are a classic approach to breathing and exercises. Hatha yoga is a great entry point to the practice.
Tips > Hatha yoga classes are best for beginners since they are usually paced slower than other yoga styles.
Iyengar yoga
Iyengar yoga focuses on alignment as well as detailed and precise movements. The practitioners perform a variety of postures while controlling the breath.
Generally, poses are held for a long time. This yoga relies heavily on props to help students perfect their form and goes deeper into poses in a safe manner. Props, from yoga blocks and blankets to straps or a ropes wall, will become your new best friend. They help you to work within a range of motion that is safe and effective. The learners will definitely get a workout and feel incredibly open and relaxed after this class.
Tips > Iyengar can also be practiced at any age. This yoga type is really great for people with injuries who need to work slowly and methodically.
Ashtanga yoga
Ashtanga yoga involves a very physically demanding sequence of postures. Consisting of six series of specifically sequenced yoga poses. You will flow and breathe through each pose to build internal heat. Also, you will perform the same poses in the exact same order in each class.
In India, people gather to practice this form of yoga together at their own pace. Vinyasa yoga stems from Ashtanga as the flowing style linking breath to movement.
Tips > An experienced yogi love it really. This type of yoga is definitely not for the beginner class.
Vinyasa yoga
Vinyasa is the most athletic style of yoga. The movement is coordinated with your breath and movement to flow from one pose to another in Vinyasa classes. Many yoga type can also be considered Vinyasa flows such as Ashtanga, power yoga, and prana.
In this dynamic practice that links movement and breath together in a dance-like way. In most classes, the pace can be quick and you won’t linger long in each pose. Teachers will often pump music, matching the beats to the poses.
Vinyasa styles can vary depending on the teacher, and there can be many different types of poses in different sequences. Usually, the trainer likes to hold some of the poses a bit longer after warming up.
Tips > Intense exercises might enjoy Vinyasa because of its faster pace. Also, runners and athletes like this yoga class because the movement is continuous.
Kundalini yoga
Kundalini yoga practice is equal parts spiritual and physical. These classes really work your core and breathing with fast-moving, invigorating postures and breath exercises.
This physically and mentally challenging practice.These classes are pretty intense and can involve chanting, mantra, and meditation.
It looks very different from your typical yoga class. You will perform repetitive physical exercises coupled with intense breath work. The goal is a break through your internal barriers, releasing the untapped energy residing within you. It is bringing you a higher level of self-awareness.
Tips > Kundalini yoga is best for everybody who looking for a spiritual practice. It is also great who are seeking something more than a workout.
Bikram yoga
If you are looking to sweat in yoga, this is the style for you. Prepare to sweat: Bikram consists of a specific series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises practiced in a room heated to approximately 105 degrees and 40 percent humidity.
All Bikram studios practice the same 90-minute sequence so you’ll know exactly what to do once you unroll your mat. If you’re new to Bikram, take a rest when you need to and be sure to hydrate beforehand.
Hot yoga is similar to Bikram in that it’s practiced in a heated room. But teachers aren’t constrained by the 26-pose Bikram sequence.
Tips > If you are looking to sweat in yoga, this is the style for you.
Yin yoga
Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga with seated postures that are held for longer periods of time. It is a great class for beginners, as postures can be held from 45 seconds to two minutes.
It can also be a meditative yoga practice that helps you find inner peace. This meditative practice is designed to target your deeper connective tissues and fascia, restoring length and elasticity. You will use props so your body can release into the posture instead of actively flexing or engaging the muscles.
Tips > This yoga best for you if you need to stretch and unwind. Keep in mind, Yin yoga is not recommended for people who are super flexible.
Restorative yoga
Restorative yoga focuses on winding down after a long day and relaxing your mind. At its core, this style focuses on body relaxation.
You spend more time in fewer postures throughout the class. Many of the poses are modified to be easier and more relaxing.
You can use a variety of props:
- blankets
- bolsters
- eye pillows
- yoga blocks to fully support your body in each pose
All of the props are there to help you sink deeper into relaxation. Restorative yoga also helps to cleanse and free your mind.
Tips > It recommended for everyone. It is a good yoga practice for anyone who has a hard time slowing down, who has experienced insomnia or who struggles with anxiety.
Prenatal yoga
That prenatal is one of the best types of exercise for expectant moms because of the pelvic floor work, focus on breathing, and bonding with the growing baby. Prenatal yoga also helps mothers prepare for labor and delivery. It is a multifaceted approach to exercise that encourages stretching, mental centering and focused breathing.
Prenatal yoga can
- improve sleep
- reduce stress
- increases the strength, flexibility
- endurance of muscles needed for childbirth.
Tips> Use this yoga type help for stretching and great exercise for pregnant women.
Anusara yoga
Anusara is a modern-day version of hatha yoga, most similar to vinyasa in that it that focuses on alignment. It takes more focus on the mind-body-heart connection. Anusara focuses on spirals and how each body part should be moving. This yoga is also known for its emphasis on heart opening.
Tips > It is a good yoga type and exercise for everybody.
Jivamukti yoga
Jivamukti is mainly vinyasa style classes infused with Hindu spiritual teachings. A series of chants usually open the beginning of class followed up by a series of poses that align with the five tenets of this yoga and philosophy. At its core, this style emphasizes connection to Earth as a living being, so most Jivamukti lovers follow their vegetarian philosophy.
Tips > This yoga type and philosophy great for vegetarian and vegan people.
Share this:
