10 Types of Yoga You Should Know

By now we are all familiar with yoga and some of us practice regularly while other prefer to avoid '“the pretzel stretching”. Yes, yoga can be intimidating. If you are put off by the idea of doing yoga it’s probably because you’ve been exposed to a version that didn’t appeal to you because of it’s level of difficulty. But have you ever asked yourself:

What type of yoga should I be doing?

What types of yoga are there?

Am I doing the right kind of yoga?

IYENGAR: combination of standing and seated postures with use of props; For people who want to focus on alignment and posture; increases muscle strength and range of motion

ASHTANGA: a set sequence of poses that are practiced in the same order with a strong emphasis on breath; For people who are prone to sedentariness, are looking for a fast-paced and physically challenging class; makes muscles stronger and decreases stress

VINIYOGA: a class that’s focused on breathing and meditation; For people who have limited movement and want to work from the inside out; great for relaxation, body awareness, and better posture

JIVAMUKTI: a set sequence  that incorporates meditation, compassion, chanting, and deep listening; For people who want to incorporate spiritual elements and ancient teachings of yoga in their practice; great for body awareness, learning Sanskrit, and relationship improvement

HATHA: a slower paced class with some physically demanding poses; For people who want a grounded style of yoga that focuses on standing poses and developing awareness

VINYASA: more of a freeform than Ashtanga with poses that the instructor determines; For people who want an athletic dynamic feel to yoga; helps build lean muscles, great for light cardio

BIKRAM: a total of 26 poses and breathing techniques in the same order for 90 minutes in a heated room of 105 degrees; For people who don’t mind heat, extreme exertion, and enjoy a repetitive routine

KUNDALINI: a physical form of yoga that incorporates repeated movements dynamic breathing mantras chanting, and meditation; For people looking for a spiritual and physical practice; great for rectifying channels (neural pathways), awakens the energy at the base of the spine

YIN: a slow-paced style in which poses are held for 3-5 minutes; For people who want to slow down are living with chronic pain, stress, or tight muscles; great for releasing tension, restore range of motion to muscles and connective tissue, regenerate, rejuvenate

RESTORATIVE: restorative yoga is very gentle and poses will be held for 10 minutes or more, may use plenty or props (blankets, bolsters, and straps); For people who are living in chronic pain or anyone who feels stressed; great for calming the nervous system