Finding Your Favorite Yoga Style
As a beginner, the vast amount of different yoga styles can feel pretty overwhelming.
Many people simply don’t know where to begin and, as a result, never start at all.
Sounds familiar?
If it does, keep on reading. You might only be a couple of lines away from discovering your soon-to-be favorite style of yoga!
This list covers seven of the most popular yoga styles that are practiced by countless people all around the U.S. and the globe.
7 Popular Types of Yoga
#1 Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is often referred to as the most beginner-friendly type of yoga.
It’s a very traditional form of yoga that focuses on holding each pose for an extended amount of time (usually eight breaths), thus working on the body’s strength, flexibility, and balance. Hatha yoga is awesome for learning the correct alignment for each and every pose right from the beginning.
#2 Vinyasa Yoga
If you have a lot of energy and love to stay in motion, vinyasa yoga is probably the perfect fit for you. In a vinyasa class, you’ll typically move with every single, seamlessly transitioning from posture to posture — often with upbeat music playing in the background. Continuous moving works wonders when it comes to training endurance and emptying the mind.
#3 Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is perfect for anyone who is looking for a serious challenge. Classes consist of a set sequence (there are different sequences for different levels) that is typically practiced six times a week! The poses require a lot of strength and practice and are perfect for people who thrive on challenges.
#4 Yin Yoga
Sometimes all we want is to lie down and de-stress without thinking, right? For days like these, yin yoga is the perfect choice. Yin yoga belongs to the restorative yoga styles and focusses solely on stress reduction and -prevention. The poses that are practiced in yin yoga are completely passive so you don’t need to use strength to perform the poses correctly. On a physical level, yin yoga really helps in opening up the joints and improving flexibility levels by targeting the fascia.
#5 Hot Yoga
If you like hot climates you have to give hot yoga a try! Hot yoga is practiced in a heated room, typically ranging from 90 to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Most hot yoga studios offer a variety of different classes. The traditional hot yoga class (so-called Bikram yoga) consists of 26 poses that are designed to help the body detoxify, get more flexible, and calm the mind.
#6 Aerial Yoga
Aerial yoga is practiced in a silk hammock (yes, you read that right!) or swing suspended from the ceiling. The practice of traditional yoga poses, along with acrobatic elements, all while using the hammock or swing for support and to deepen the poses, creates an exceptionally fun and unique experience.
#7 Acro Yoga
If you’d like to practice yoga together with a friend or your partner, then acro yoga might be for you. Acro yoga, offers a unique blend of yoga-, acrobatics, and even Thai massage elements, promoting fun, connection, and mutual support. Even though acro yoga can be a lot of fun, it’s important to mention that it’s one of the more dangerous yoga styles. So, make sure to begin your acro yoga practice under the guidance of a skilled acro yoga teacher.
There you have it, seven very different yoga styles that are each amazing in their own way.
Now, all you have to do is muster a bit of courage and book a class in the type of yoga that piqued your interest most, near you.
You’ve got this!