There are several yoga practices out there, and choosing one to start with can be a daunting task, especially when you don’t know what they are or what they are used for. We’re highlighting the popular types of yoga, their benefits, and how you can use them to achieve the goals of meditation and mindfulness (the tenets of yoga).
The Hatha Yoga
The word Hatha is used to refer to different types of yoga that help students with their physical posture. If you’re headed to a Hatha class, you should know that you are going to be introduced to basic yoga postures, and though you may not get to work up a sweat like with other yoga classes, you will certainly be leaving the class more relaxed and looser. The focus is on the pose rather than on the flow.
Anusara Yoga
John Friend created Anusara Yoga in 1997. It is hinged on the belief that humans are filled with intrinsic goodness that needs to be helped through some form of meditation and yoga. This yoga helps students relax, allowing their best to shine through them.
Iyengar Yoga
This is another yoga type that doesn’t leave room for an increased heart rate. It is fantastic for people who are recovering from injuries since it’s slow and methodological advancements for the body. Iyengar yoga allows students to practice several poses while they control their breaths. It is also worthy to note that this yoga utilizes props to help students practice some poses.
Vinyasa Yoga
The meaning of Vinyasa is “put in a special way,” and of course, this extends to yoga as this is the most athletic yoga style in existence. A Vinyasa class helps students move in a coordinated fashion while controlling their breath for more effortless movement. Some other categories of yoga can also be classified as Vinyasa.
Ashtanga
Made famous by K Pattabhi Jois, the Ashtanga is somewhat similar to the Vinyasa yoga, and it is slightly rigorous. Just like the Vinyasa, Ashtanga yoga links movement and breath. The difference between the two yoga types lies in the fact that students doing Ashtanga yoga do poses in a set order. Looking to get sweaty? This is perfect for you!
Yoga is an excellent way to connect the mind and body as you utilize poses that would help you stretch while you meditate in one breath! So, ask your teacher about the appropriate classes you should be taking and get your mental and physical health to a cracking start!
