Types of Yoga
There are many types of yoga out there, so how do you find the one that’s right for you?
Someone once said to me “the right type of yoga will find you.” At the time, naive as I was, I thought what a load of rubbish (maybe I thought BS). I started yoga going to yoga because I knew I should and that it would be good for me. I tried various styles, but quite honestly, I often thought I’d rather pull my fingernails out as it would be less painful. As it transpired Vinyasa yoga and in particular Power Vinyasa yoga did find me. It felt like I'd found home base every time I got on the mat to practice. lt was like Goldilocks porridge, not too much, not too little, it was just right. It resonated with me. The flow, the physicality, the music and the philosophy woven in to class. These days I have more appreciation and a greater understanding of yoga and enjoy practicing various styles. A recent addition to my practice has been 'Rocket Yoga'.
I’m sure many of you have tried varying styles of yoga and others of you maybe only one or two.
Let me briefly explain some of the most popular types of yoga.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha simply refers to the practice of physical yoga postures, meaning your Ashtanga, vinyasa, Iyengar and Power Yoga classes are all Hatha Yoga. Hatha means “willful” or “forceful,” or the yoga of activity, and as “sun” (ha) and “moon” (tha), the yoga of balance.
It is an old system that includes the practice of asanas (yoga postures) and pranayama (breathing exercises), which help bring peace to the mind and body, preparing the body for deeper spiritual practices such as meditation. There is no music played during the practice.
Ashtanga Yoga
“Ashta” means Eight and “Anga” is limbs. Ashtanga means “Eight Limb Path”. Ashtanga yoga is based on the Philosophy of the text Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. It is often identified as traditional Indian yoga. Like Vinyasa yoga, it synchronizes breath and movement through a series of asana. Traditional Ashtanga yoga follows the same sequence and series of postures in a precise order and is physically demanding. There is usually no music
Vinyasa Yoga
"Vinyasa" is derived from the Sanskrit term ‘nyasa’, which means "to place," and the prefix vi, "in a special way". Vinyasa means linking breath with movement. Postures are usually done in a flowing sequence or vinyasa flow. The movements are fluid and done as a moving meditation. It is often taught with music.
Vinyasa yoga is popular and taught in a lot of studios and gyms. Vinyasa yoga incorporates many of the same postures as Ashtanga but the order of the poses often change. It is often challenging but includes more movement than Ashtanga yoga.
There is a lot of movement and variety in Vinyasa, so if you’re hoping to sweat this style is for you.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is also based on the Eight Limbs of Yoga and is named after B.K.S. Iyengar a famous Yogi from India. The Iyengar practice has an emphasis on detail, precision and alignment in the performance of yoga postures. The style often makes use of props, such as belts, blocks, and blankets as aids for postures. Usually taught without music.
This is a great practice for more advanced yogis who want to better their alignment, but is also an ideal way for beginners to gain an understanding of the basic postures.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga was designed by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970’s. Bikram Yoga is a system of hot yoga, a type of yoga as exercise, devised by Bikram Choudhury in the 1970s, Classes consist of a fixed sequence of 26 postures, and two breathing practices. It’s 90 minutes long and practised in a room heated to 105 °F (41 °C) with 40% humidity intended to replicate the climate of India. There is no music during class.
If you haven’t seen the Netflix documentary Bikram: Yogi, Guru, Predator then I suggest you do before you practice it.
Jivamukti Yoga
Jivamukti was created by Sharon Gannon and David Life in New York City in 1984. Ivamukti means “liberated being”. Jivamukti is a vinyasa style practice where the asana is usually quite vigorous, though classes can also be light-hearted and fun. Teachers are encouraged to make yoga principles relatable by drawing examples from modern life and contemporary music.
Each class has a theme, which is explored through yoga scripture, chanting, meditation, asana, pranayama and music. This is a good blend of spiritual and physical exercise.
Those looking for more than just a physical workout should consider this practice, as it encourages its students to apply yogic philosophy to their daily life.
Power Yoga
Power yoga is a general term used to describe a vigorous, fitness-based approach to vinyasa-style yoga. Power yoga incorporates the athleticism of Ashtanga, including lots of vinyasas and with added core exercises and upper body work. The sequences are not the same every time, giving the teacher the flexibility to arrange the progression of poses in their own way, making every class different.
Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda yoga was brought to the USA by Swami Vishnudenvananda in the late 50s. The Sivananda yoga is based on five principles for optimal health and spiritual growth.
Proper exercise, proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet, positive thinking and meditation. The asana practice consists of 12 poses done after warming up with Sun Salutations and ending with Savasana.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga, incorporating principles of traditional Chinese medicine, with postures that are held for longer periods of time than in other styles.
While “yang” yoga focuses on your muscles, yin yoga targets your deep connective tissues, like your fascia, ligaments, joints, and bones. It's slower and more meditative, giving you space to turn inward and tune into both your mind and the physical sensations of your body. There is seldom music in class.
Yin yoga is a great starting point for those who want to quiet the mind with meditation and is also ideal for fitness buffs in need of releasing tension in overworked joints.
Kundalini Yoga “The Yoga of Awareness”, it combines asana, pranayama, meditation, and chanting designed to awaken the energy at the base of the spine and move it upward through the seven chakras to reach enlightenment.
Kundalini sequences (kriya) consist of asanas combined with a specific breathing technique designed to awaken a particular chakra. Each class will include a short opening chant, a warm-up sequence to improve spine flexibility, a kriya and a closing meditation. If you’re looking for a more spiritual practice, then Kundalini might be for you. Be sure to keep an open mind as you might have to dance, jump around, sing, or laugh during a Kundalini class to awaken and channel the Kundalini energy.
No matter what style you practice remember what yoga truly is.
The word ‘Yoga’ means 'union'. Yoga intends to create union amongst all of our human layers: physical, emotional, spiritual, breath and energy. Yoga is not simply a form of physical exercise or fitness. Yoga, truly is a discipline that follows a wonderful eight limb path towards enlightenment.
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