There are many types of yoga, each can have a different benefit to your body. Which yoga style is a lot like picking what you will eat.
Some of the most popular types of yoga follow:
Anusara Yoga – Founded in 1997 by John Friend, Anusara is epitomized by “the celebration of the heart”. It is one of the more spiritual types of yoga and you should expect a more upbeat, community-type vibe in a class.
Ashtanga Yoga – Ashtanga is physically demanding, commonly called “Power Yoga” it’s probably best suited for an ex-athlete or someone looking to sculpt their body.
Bikram Yoga – Ready to get hot? Well this yoga is usually practiced at a 105 degree heat and in 40% humidity — hot yoga! Though Bikram yoga only has 26 poses there is lots of alignment work so can be very good for beginners. Profuse sweating, hot, sticky, 26 poses… although don’t expect to comfy with all at once!
Hatha Yoga – Another type of yoga good for beginners, Hatha is a breathing focused system. Poses are mainly focused on slow and gentle movements, making hatha yoga a great type of yoga to wind down with at night. (Provides a good introduction to Yoga)
Iyengar Yoga – Based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar, this style of practice is most concerned with bodily alignment, making it great for physio therapy. Iyengar practice usually emphasizes holding poses over long periods versus moving quickly from one pose to the next (flow). Expect lots of props with Iyengar Yoga such as blocks, harnesses, straps, and even cushions.
Jivamukti Yoga – Jivamukti iwas founded in NYC – 1984, the founders David Life and Sharon Gannon have taken inspiration from Ashtanga yoga with an emphasis on chanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings. It also has a bit of a celebrity following as Russell Simmons, Christy Turlington, and Sting are all fans of Jivamukti Yoga. Definitely a diverse type of yoga.
Kripalu Yoga – “It is a great type of yoga for those who are either out-of-shape or just beginning to practice, as you’ll learn the basics in an easy manner. ” Considered to be one of the most gentle forms of yoga, Kripalu has more of an “inner focus.”
Kundalini Yoga – The emphasis in Kundalini is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the purpose of freeing energy in the lower body and allowing it to move upwards. All asana practices make use of controlling the breath. You could also expect more sitting than usual.“Kundalini” refers to the energy of the Root Chakra, which surrounds the area around your lower spine. Kundalini uses rapid, repetitive movements rather than poses held for a long time, and the teacher will often lead the class in call and response chanting.
Prenatal Yoga – Some say that Prenatal is one of the best types of exercise for to-be-moms as there’s a lot of core work and a focus on the breath. If you’re an expectant mother then Prenatal yoga is probably for you. (Sorry, guys!)
Restorative Yoga – Looking to wind down after a long day of work? Or perhaps you want to quiet your mind? Restorative yoga might be the answer as it is primarily focused on relaxation.
Vinyasa Yoga – Other than starting with a sun salutation, no two classes will be alike. You definitely will not get bored!! Vinyasa is usually a fast-paced type of yoga with lots of variety of different poses.