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 different styles of yoga are derived from the same basic postures but the emphasis of these styles is different in each case. Some popular yoga styles are discussed in this article to help you in finding the answer to the simple question: What is your yoga type?

Hatha Yoga
Hatha is a common name for a lot of yoga postures. This type of yoga focuses on the basic postures. Hatha Yoga classes usually teach slow paced, gentle postures. This type of yoga is to the best for beginners who want to start with easier poses and gradually move 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 on 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 the 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 performed always according to the set series.

Kundalini
Kundalini types of yoga emphasize 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 posture for a long time. This type of yoga intends to free up energy from the lower part of the body, allowing it to move upwards.

Bikram Or Hot Yoga
This type of yoga is named after Bikram Choudhuri and is sometimes called hot yoga. This type is performed in a hot room so that profuse sweating takes place. It is believed that sweating leads to cleansing of the toxins of the body. It usually has a set series of 26 poses but all hot yoga classes do not necessarily follow 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 the 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 often requires meditation and chanting techniques, too.

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.