Which Style of Yoga is Right For You?

Health & Fitness December 2, 2016

Whether you are an experienced yogi or just starting your yoga journey, there are many styles of yoga to try.

If you are just starting out, find a studio in your area and give them a visit. Talking to an instructor about a class right for you will greatly improve your first time experience. And if you are experienced if never hurts to branch out and grow into a new practice.

Here are a few types of yoga that are commonly offered at studios:

Hatha Yoga

Hatha type classes include any practice pairing asanas: postures and pranayama: breath. Many types of yoga fall under the umbrella of Hatha because most yoga practices pairing breath and movement. Most hatha classes are perfect for beginners but because hatha is used with such a broad meaning. Make sure to read the description of the hatha class or talk to the instructor before to understand the type of hatha yoga the class will center around.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa means movement paired with breath. Similar to hatha, vinyasa describes many types of yoga classes because of the nature of yoga. Vinyasa classes are also commonly called a flow class since there is a continuous flow from pose to pose. This type of class can be vigorous or gentle depend on the instructor but is a great class to try after a hatha class.

Yin Yoga

Yin is amazing! It is a slow paced practice where the postures are held for 45 seconds to two minutes at a time. Yin focuses increases circulation and improving flexibility in a very gentle way. With the slow graceful pace of yin you can really fall into that zen zone while practicing. Give yin a chance if you are looking for a change in pace from your current yoga practices or if you are looking for a calm way to start your yoga journey.

Ashtanga Yoga

An ashtanga yoga class will be the same series of poses every class. There are six series in total that increase in difficulty, most ashtanga classes will cover the first and second series, other more advanced classes will cover the other series if that is a challenge you seek. Ashtanga is a great way to explore and develop your knowledge of poses and become more confident.

Bikram Yoga

More commonly known as hot yoga, a Bikram class is fast paced and swea Similar to ashtanga, a bikram class will be the same 26 postures with two breathing techniques that lasts 90 minutes in a room warmed to 105 degrees F with 40% humidity. Sounds great right? You will sweat and you will work hard during this practice. Bikram is for advanced practice but don’t let that scare you. If this is something at interests you and you’re a beginner, talk to the instructor before hand and they can help you with some modifications if you need them.

Wherever you start your yoga journey there are many branches to explore, don’t limit yourself.

Like Madalyn’s article? Check out more of her articles on The Odyssey Online Self Love Beauty community.

Written by Lisa Thompson

Lisa Thompson is Founder and Executive Director of the non-profit Self Love Beauty and host of 'The Confident Podcast'. She is an established confidence and self-love workshop leader and keynote speaker. She received a Bachelors in Arts in Communications and Public Relations from Michigan State University, degree in Social Impact Strategy from the University of Pennsylvania, certified in Positive Psychology and Creating Wellbeing, certified in Fundraising and Philanthropy from the Lilly Family School of Philanthropy at Indiana University and trained in mindfulness from the Search Inside Yourself Leadership Institute. Currently, she sits on the MiHIA Adverse Childhood Experience (ACEs) steering team to build resilience in adults and children in Michigan, Great Lakes Bay Mental Health Partnership and a Rotary member. Her mission is to use her gifts, strengths and talents in speaking and writing to connect with people and empower them to love themselves, get unstuck and take personal action for self-improvements. She resides in Michigan, loves to run, sip on Americanos and has a dog named Denver.