If you have a yoga lover in your life, there’s a good chance you’ve heard them say that “yoga is for everyone.” It’s true! In spite of the hyper-mobile, handstand-doing yogis you may see online, yoga doesn’t require a special fitness or flexibility level. Regardless of where you are in your journey, you can see huge benefits from incorporating a regular yoga practice.
That being said, not all yoga is created equal. If you’ve tried a yoga class before and found that it just wasn’t your thing, it’s possible that you just haven’t found the style of yoga that works best for your body.
We’ve put together a guide to five of the most popular types of yoga and how they can help you find peace, clarity, and greater connection to your body.
Vinyasa Yoga
For many people, vinyasa yoga is usually the style that they are introduced to first, even if they aren’t aware of it. If you’ve gone to a yoga class described as “power yoga” or “flow yoga,” chances are that it was really a vinyasa class.
Vinyasa yoga is characterized by its fast pace. Each pose flows seamlessly into the next one, encouraging you to connect your breath with your movement. There are a wide variety of postures that are practiced and classes do not follow a set format.
Vinyasa is a great form of yoga for those who want to increase strength and flexibility while still getting the heart pumping. It is an excellent choice for those who crave variety in their workout routine since no two classes are alike.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga and Vinyasa yoga have a lot in common. They rely on many of the same sets of postures and poses. The main difference is the pacing. While vinyasa focuses on lots of movement, Hatha yoga is slower paced.
If you are new to yoga, a Hatha style practice might be a good fit for you. The slower pace allows you to really tune into your breathing and body alignment. While it is less of a cardio workout, Hatha can be a great tool to relieve stress and calm the body and mind.
Yin Yoga
If you are looking for deep relaxation and stress relief, Yin Yoga might be the one for you! Yin Yoga is one of the slowest paced forms of yoga. Practitioners are guided into poses which they then hold for anywhere between five to ten minutes.
Yin yoga can be particularly effective for those who struggle with insomnia or anxiety. The deep, full body stretches, combined with meditative breathing can be an excellent way to calm the mind. It is also a particularly useful style of yoga for those who deal with various chronic pain issues, like back pain. Because Yin focuses on deep muscle stretching, it can support alignment and relieve pain from muscle knots.
Ashtanga Yoga
If you are looking to up your fitness game, while still reaping the mental benefits yoga has to offer, look no further than Ashtanga yoga.
Ashtanga has developed a reputation for being one of the more athletically challenging forms of yoga. While it is similar to vinyasa yoga, in that movements flow from one to the next, Ashtanga does not have the variety of a vinyasa class. Instead, Ashtanga practices focus on the same set of movements, performed in the same way every time. Additionally, it is longer than most other yoga classes. Ashtanga yoga classes typically run around 90 minutes long.
Ashtanga is the embodiment of a full body practice, requiring you to build strength, flexibility, and also mental clarity. It is also unique in that it is the only practice that teachers recommend you do six times a week. If traditional yoga classes have bored you, or haven’t felt like enough of a challenge, we recommend you look for Ashtanga classes near you, to see if it is a better fit.
Kundalini Yoga
While all of the above yoga practices place importance on connecting breath to movement, none of them focus on it in the same way Kundalini yoga does.
This energy-giving practice, coaches practitioners to allow energy to travel up through the base of the spine, and out through the head chakra. It also uniquely uses chanting and singing.
If you are interested in meditation, Kundalini might be an excellent fit for you. In between postures, practitioners are encouraged to relax and focus inward. This style of yoga is an excellent option for anyone who is interested in combining the physicality with a deep spirituality practice.
There are as many different forms of yoga in the world as there are people who practice them. If you haven’t found the right style for you, do not be discouraged! There is a reason it is called yoga “practice.” You have time to discover exactly what works for you.
Do you have a form of yoga that has changed your life? Share with us in the comments below.
