
More than just a movement practice, Sharon Gannon and David Life developed the practice as a lifestyle. If you enjoy a more structured, powerful practice that focuses on mastery of poses and progression to more advanced levels, this could be a great style of yoga for you. Advancing through the poses can take years or decades however, the focus of the practice is not on advancement to more difficult levels, rather, it is to maintain internal focus.
#TYPES OF YOGA SERIES#
When you’ve mastered that series, you will graduate to a more difficult series and so on.

There is an element of progression in Ashtanga: if you’re a beginner to the practice, you’ll start with the Primary series. You move through four phases-an opening phase, one of six “series”, backbending, and inversions. However, in Ashtanga, the movements are predefined. Like vinyasa, movement and breath are linked. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga yoga is considered a modern-day form of classical Indian yoga. Types of Yoga #5 – Ashtanga (aka Power Yoga)ĭeveloped by K. Bikram chose these specific postures because he believes they systematically challenge the entire body-the organs, veins, ligaments, and muscles. This style of vinyasa yoga was developed by Bikram Choudhury and is comprised of 26 postures performed in strict sequential order. 5īikram yoga is best known for hot rooms and sweat dripping postures. Practicing Iyengar will help build strength, mobility, and stability. Iyengar is a great style of yoga for individuals who appreciate detailed instruction, or for those with injuries and who need a class that can accommodate their limitations. Instructors use of a variety of props, such as blocks, straps, and blankets, to make sure you find the correct posture in each pose. Poses are held longer, as you breath into a pose to find more expansion. These classes don’t flow like vinyasa classes. Iyengar is an alignment-based style of yoga. Learn the basics before moving on to more advanced classes (level 2 or higher). If you’re a beginner, look for a gentle flow or a level 1 class. It depends on the instructor, so if one class doesn’t suit you, try a different instructor.ĭepending on the level, Vinyasa yoga can be gentle or rigorous. Some classes are more spiritual, incorporating breath work, chanting and meditation, while others are more athletically-oriented. There is no strict format or sequence of poses in a vinyasa class, allowing for more creativity on the part of the teacher. Each class ends in savasana, which is the final relaxation pose. You can expect to move through a few sun salutations, warrior poses, balancing poses, back bends, and seated stretches. In Sanskrit, the word “vinyasa” means “connection.” Each movement connects with either an inhale or an exhale. This style of yoga links movement with the breath, creating flowing postures that smoothly transition from one to the next. Here, you’ll learn basic postures, breath work, relaxation techniques, and meditation.

It’s a gentle class that’s perfect for beginners or the after-work yogi looking to wind-down. If you see Hatha Yoga on a class schedule, it means you’ll find a slower-paced class with little-to-no “flow” between poses. It describes the physical practice of yoga, so all other types of yoga fall under the category of Hatha. Top 8 Different Types of Yoga: What To Expect in Class 2 Because there are a number of different types of yoga, it helps to know a little bit about each before deciding what type of yoga 3 works best for you and your training program. One of the best ways to improve your mobility, core strength, and balance is Yoga. 1 Improving your mobility can have significant benefits for your posture, lifting form, and strength, all while reducing injuries. As we age, we lose both flexibility and balance. Mobility (flexibility) training and balance are important aspects of fitness that are often under-appreciated and neglected. You might have a solid strength and cardio program, you might pay attention to your diet and eat clean, but do you take time to work on your mobility or balance?
