If you are considering beginning yoga, or a newbie to yoga, understanding the different types of yoga will help you to determine which type of yoga is right for you.  When beginning yoga the various names and types of yoga may initially overwhelm you.

Below is a look at the most popular types of yoga, aimed at helping you achieve an understanding regarding the differences between these most popular types of yoga:

Ashtanga Yoga - Means “eight limbs” in Sanskrit. It is a fast moving, intense style of Yoga practice and is based on a progressive set sequence of asanas (poses), synchronized with the breath.  You will find that Ashtanga Yoga can be quite physically demanding as you constantly move from one asana in the sequence to the next.  It will improve your stamina as well as your flexibility and strength.

Iyengar Yoga - This type of Yoga concentrates on the correct alignment and form of the body and is based on the teachings by B.K.S Iyengar.  Unlike Ashtanga Yoga, there is an emphasis on holding each pose for a long period of time rather than moving constantly from one pose to the next.  Props such as blocks and straps are used in Iyengar Yoga to help align the body into the different poses.

Hatha Yoga – In Sanskrit “Ha” means “sun” and “tha” means “moon”.  If you are beginning yoga or a complete newbie to yoga, this type of Yoga is a relatively slow paced, gentle type of Yoga and is a good place to start your beginning yoga journey.  Like all types of Yoga, Hatha Yoga aims to unite the mind, body and spirit.

Bikram Yoga – Known as “Hot Yoga” it is practiced in a room with a humidity of around 40% and heated to 105 degrees.  During a Bikram Yoga class, generally a sequence of 26 different poses is practiced.  The hot temperature helps to loosen muscles. Because of the high temperature most people sweat a lot during the class and this helps to cleanse the body of toxins.

Vinyasa Yoga – The meaning of Vinyasa is breath-synchronized movement and is another fast paced type of Yoga, with an emphasis on breathing. Typically a practice session starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

Power Yoga – Is a western interpretation of Yoga and is based on Ashtanga Yoga.  A Power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like you would find in Ashtanga Yoga.  But it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

There are no concrete rules in yoga that says you have to keep to only one type of yoga.  If you are just beginning yoga, or a yoga newbie, you might want to try a few of the different types of yoga and see what works best for you.  Hatha Yoga is always a good starting point for learning a beginner yoga pose.

Be healthy and happy.

Nilda

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