Yoga Style Guide - Know the Type Most Suitable for You

A yoga style guide is necessary to differentiate the various types of yoga practiced around the world. The styles of yoga are derived from the same basic postures but the emphasis of these styles is different from one another. Some popular yoga styles are discussed in this article. They will help you find the answer to a simple question: what is your yoga style?

Hatha Yoga

Hatha is a common name for a lot of yoga postures. However, this type of yoga focuses on the basic type of postures. Hatha Yoga classes usually teach slow paced, gentle postures that are considered to be basic postures. This type of yoga is perfect for beginners who want to start with easier poses and gradually carry on to the difficult ones. Hatha is a famous type that teaches the yoga style basics.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa is basically a breath synchronization technique that is based upon various sun salutation postures. However, like hatha yoga, vinyasa also encompasses a wide variety of styles of yoga. The vinyasa style usually starts with simple sun salutations postures but as the class progresses it carries on to more vigorous poses.

Ashtanga And Power Yoga

Ashtanga means eight limbs. This type of yoga focuses on utilization of all the eight limbs that it signifies. It is a fast paced process that usually requires intense postures that are always performed in a pre set series. The postures continually change from one to the other according to the set series of postures. The power yoga is based upon ashtanga type but the postures may not be always performed according to the set series.

Kundalini

Kundalini types of yoga emphasizes on the synchronization of the breath with the changing body postures. It is usually a rapid and repetitive process that does not require holding the postures for a long time. This type of yoga intends to free up energy from the lower part of the body, allowing this moving upwards.

Bikram Or Hot Yoga

This type of yoga is named after Bikram Choudhuri and is sometimes also called hot yoga. This type is performed in a hot room condition so that profuse sweating may occur. It is believed that sweating leads to cleansing of the toxins from the body. It usually has a set series of 26 poses but all hot yoga classes do not necessarily include them.

Anusara

This type of yoga usually combines the positive philosophy of tantra and proper physical alignment of the body. Often including the use of props, this yoga style encourages opening of the heart, both physically and mentally.

Jivamukti

It is a comparatively newer form of yoga that accompanies chanting and preaching of spiritual subjects. This type is duly influenced by the Ashtanga type of yoga. Although the postures are similar to ashtanga type of yoga, Jivamukti requires meditation synchronized with chanting techniques.

Forrest

Introduced by Anna Forrest, this type of yoga relies on the techniques that free up the emotions and pain to start the healing process in the body. This type of yoga includes vigorous series of postures intended to strengthen the body and mind.