Yoga can relieve stress and be a great way to relax and get a good workout. But with so many styles, how do you know which one to choose.
We break down the different styles so you can choose one that best suits you.
1. Your aim is to enrich spirituality
Jivamukti:
Followers of this practice believe that yoga is a way of life, not just a practice on a mat. It’s ashtanga-based, so it’s quite physical and incorporates reading yogic texts, and singing or listening to music, allowing you to connect with yourself and your world.
Kundalini:
This dynamic style incorporates both the physical and metaphysical bodies to enhance wellbeing by bringing about balance and raising ones vibrations.
Anusara:
Light and fun, anusara is a life-affirming, positive style. Though not easy, it includes alignment work and the use of props which make classes accessible to students of differing abilities. Sessions aim to develop self-esteem and respect for others.
Sri Sri Yoga:
This style focuses on the silence within, working with your breath and resting in the poses.
2. Your aim is to use it as exercise
Ashtanga:
You’re limited to six series of set postures. It’s a fun, dynamic practice with a strong internal focus. Breath and movement are synchronized to link postures together in a flowing sequence, which require progressive degrees of flexibility, strength and humility.
Vinyasa:
Vinyasa yoga is a meditative flow from one sequence or asana into the next, the common linking thread is breath. These flowing movements provide the framework for the body to achieve strength and flexibility – not only of the muscles, but also of will and mind.
Bikram:
In Bikram, you sweat out 26 poses in the same order in a room heated to 40°C. It’s intense and not suited to those who have issues with chronic fatigue, respiratory or heart problems. It’s not to be confused with hot yoga, which simply refers to yoga done in heated room.
3. Your aim is to relieve pain
Iyengar:
One of the more popular forms of yoga, iyengar focuses on correct body alignment with the use of props (wooden blocks, belts, blankets). It helps students to slowly and gently hold postures so that they can work in a range of motion that’s safe and effective. This eliminates aches and pains. In this rigorous style, you’ll hold poses for longer periods to develop strength, relax muscles, and calm and focus the mind.
Viniyoga:
Less a specific style and more a theory, Viniyoga is designed to be unique to each individual practitioner and is considered a therapeutic yoga. Viniyoga places less stress on joints and knees as a result of postures done with slightly bent knees.
4. Your aim is to de-stress
Hatha:
The root of all modern yoga, the aim is to master poses and breath control whether you’re inhaling, exhaling or holding air in your lungs.
Yin:
You’ll spend most of the class on the floor focusing on the connective tissue in your lower back, hips and pelvis, holding passive postures.
Nidra:
Nidra actually means “sleep”; it’s as close to sleep as possible while staying awake. This deep relaxation method draws the senses inward; no physical effort is required and it’s ideal if you’re in need of recuperation.
Remember: Yoga will be more effective if you choose one style and commit to it. Changing between different styles waters down the potency of the practice.
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