One of the most difficult aspects of beginning yoga is deciding which style to practise. Because the class names and selections are so varied, it might be perplexing for novices. While virtually all forms employ the same physical postures, each emphasises a different aspect. This guide sheet explains the distinctions so you can decide which style appeals to you the best.
Of course, the ideal approach to get started with yoga is to take a beginner’s class. If your local studio does not specify which lessons are oriented for beginners, inquire ahead of time which session will provide basic teaching acceptable for someone new. If you’re looking for internet videos, look for beginner-level classes—almost all of them are available.
Just remember that just because you didn’t like your first yoga session doesn’t mean you and yoga aren’t meant to be. Because there are so many various forms of yoga and so many different teachers, each with their unique teaching style, it may take a few tries to find the proper match.
Given the numerous advantages of regular yoga practise, if you don’t like yoga at first, commit to trying several different courses before dismissing it entirely.
Options for Beginners
Aside from “beginning yoga” programmes, “hatha” sessions are often slower-paced, contemplative practises that focus on basic, beginner-friendly postures.
Of course, it’s crucial to understand that the name “hatha” refers to any type of yoga that focuses on movement. Almost every yoga class in America is technically hatha, so ask the instructor what to expect before your first session.
Vinyasa courses are quite popular, but they are often fast-paced, which can be perplexing for novices inexperienced with basic positions. If you want to give vinyasa a try, look for a beginner-level class.
Finally, Iyengar yoga is a type of yoga that emphasises good alignment. This is ideal for folks who have ailments or wish to take more time perfecting each position. There will be a lot of instruction, which is perfect for beginners.
Remember that any form of yoga may be good for beginners as long as it’s labelled as a “beginning” class, so if your local studio offers yin or Forrest yoga, give it a shot. Just make sure you inform your instructor that you are fresh to the practice. By informing him, he will know to keep an eye on you and provide more precise instructions as needed.
Various Styles Expounded
You might attempt to find out your yoga type or personality to discover which of the following styles is ideal for you. There are several options available, so don’t let that scare you. Before venturing out, try a beginner-friendly class (if you want to).
Hatha
Hatha is a broad phrase that refers to any of the physical types of yoga. Hatha has evolved to represent a slow-paced and compassionate method of practising in modern yoga jargon. Hatha courses are frequently a wonderful location to start a yoga practise since they give a low-key introduction to the basic yoga positions.
Anusara
Anusara, founded by John Friend in 1997, combines a significant emphasis on physical alignment with a positive philosophy centred on the inherent kindness of all creatures. Classes are often lighthearted and approachable, and they frequently include a
Due to his personal transgressions, Friend is no longer linked with Anusara. Friend has founded a new yoga style called Sridaiva, and Anusara is now a teacher-led yoga school (see below).
Ashtanga
Pattabhi Jois invented Ashtanga, a fast-paced, intensive, flowing type of yoga, in the 1960s6. A predetermined sequence of poses is executed, always in the same order. Because of the continual movement from one posture to the next and the emphasis on daily practise, this practise is quite physically demanding.
It was one of the first yoga systems to be adopted by a large number of western students and had a significant impact on the evolution of yoga during the previous 30 years.
Power Vinyasa by Baptiste
Baron Baptiste is a power yoga pioneer who studied several kinds of yoga, martial arts, and meditation before developing his own distinct yoga approach, Baptiste Power Vinyasa.
His technique is built on five pillars: vinyasa, ujjayi pranayama, heat, uddiyana bandha, and drishti. Classes in a heated environment are often strenuous and sweat-inducing.
Hot Yoga/Bikram Yoga
Bikram Choudhury pioneered hot yoga, and his name became synonymous with yoga courses delivered in a room heated to 95 to 104 degrees. The heat promotes muscular relaxation and excessive perspiration, both of which are regarded to be purifying. The Bikram technique is a prescribed series of 26 postures, however, it is not used in all hot sessions.
Yoga with CorePower
CorePower Yoga is a hot yoga studio franchise launched in Denver in 2002. The brand is quickly spreading across the United States. Expect constant coaching in a high-end gym facility. Membership is valid at any of their studios around the country.
Iyengar
This kind of practice is based on the teachings of yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar and is all about getting the body into the best possible alignment, typically employing props such as yoga blankets, blocks, and straps to help students in acquiring appropriate form.
Iyengar practises often stress maintaining positions for extended periods of time rather than swiftly transitioning from one pose to the next (as in a flow class). Iyengar was a pivotal figure in the evolution of contemporary yoga asana.
Jivamukti
This yoga style arose in the 1980s from one of New York City’s most well-known yoga studios. The severity of Ashtanga yoga combined with chanting, meditation, and spiritual teachings motivated Jivamukti founders David Life and Sharon Gannon.
Jivamukti sessions are physically demanding and frequently contain an uplifting topic chosen by the teacher.
Forrest
Ana Forrest teaches Forrest Yoga, which is based in Santa Monica, California. Vigorous asana sequences are performed to strengthen and purify the body, as well as to release pent-up emotions and suffering in order to promote the healing of physical and emotional traumas. Expect a challenging exercise that focuses on belly strength, inversions, and deep breathing.
Kripalu
Kripalu is a loving yoga practice with an emphasis on meditation, bodily healing, and spiritual development that spills over into daily life7. It also emphasises internal attention and moving at your own speed, making it an excellent practice for anyone with restricted movement due to age, weight, sickness, or disability.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga
Vinyasa, like hatha, is a broad word that encompasses a wide range of courses. Vinyasa is a more intense type of yoga that incorporates a series of positions known as sun salutations, in which each movement is synchronised with the breath.
A vinyasa session would usually begin with a series of sun salutations to warm up the body for the more strenuous stretching at the conclusion of the class. Vinyasa is also known as flow because of the continuous movement from one pose to the next.
Kundalini
In Kundalini, the emphasis is on the breath in conjunction with physical movement, with the goal of liberating energy in the lower body and enabling it to rise upwards via all of the chakras.
Controlling the breath is used in all asana practises, but in Kundalini the examination of the effects of the breath (also called prana, meaning energy) on the postures is vital. Kriyas are another name for Kundalini exercises.
Integral
Integral yoga is a moderate hatha style based on the teachings and principles of Sri Swami Satchidananda, who tried to provide followers with recommendations on how to enhance their lives. Classes also incorporate pranayama, chanting, and meditation in an effort to connect the mind, body, and spirit.
Moksha/Modo
Moksha hot yoga was created in 2004 in Canada. Modo Yoga became the name of their affiliated U.S. facilities in 2013. Both methods are based on 45 positions performed in a warm environment. The studios are intended to follow ecologically friendly building and cleaning requirements, as well as to develop a feeling of community among their pupils.
Power Yoga
Several notable instructors who were well-trained in traditional yoga were looking for methods to make flow yoga more accessible to more people in the mid-1990s. The ensuing classes were known together as power yoga.
Power yoga was first influenced by the severity of Ashtanga but allowed for diversity in position sequencing at the teacher’s discretion.
Restorative
Props are used to support the body while it settles into postures over the course of several minutes in restorative yoga. The goal is to hold each position long enough to promote passive stretching.
Sivananda
Swami Vishnu-devananda, a student of Swami Sivananda, established the first Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Center in 1959. Sivananda yoga is founded on five principles, which include asana, pranayama, and meditation. The mastering of twelve well-chosen positions is central to this exercise.
Sridaiva/Bowspring
After quitting Anusara Yoga (see above), John Friend co-founded Sridaiva with Desi Springer, the proprietor of a Colorado studio. The bowspring is a novel alignment system introduced in this type. It differs from other styles of yoga in that the knees remain bent in many positions and the pelvis is constantly tipped forward to preserve the spinal curvature. Proponents claim that this alignment provides them with a new source of strength and power.
Viniyoga
It is centred on a personalised approach to each student, with the goal of developing a practice that is tailored to his or her specific stage of life and condition of health. Viniyoga is tailored to each individual’s needs, even in group settings.
Yoga Yin
Paul Grilley invented Yin Yoga to stretch the body’s connective tissue, particularly around the joints. Specific stances are held for numerous minutes in order to accomplish this. Grilley intended for this practice to prepare the body for lengthy periods of meditation and to serve as a counterbalance to movement-oriented energetic yang schools of yoga.