- Details
- Written by: Claudia Glover
Yoga For Beginners | Everything You Need To Know
Iyengar and Restorative yoga are more slow paced and revolve around the use of props such as belts and blocks, making them excellent for those recovering from injury. Spiritual types of yoga, such as Kundalini yoga, can help you find your energy centres and restore this energy without having to chant in Sanskrit. If you live in London, take a look at the best yoga courses in London here as well as yoga teacher training courses.DIFFERENT STYLES OF YOGA: ATHLETIC YOGA
Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is practiced in a very hot room – usually around 40°C. Founded by Bikram Choudhury, it is focused on the releasing of toxins through the skin and the development of both physical and mental strength and control. Bikram yoga is said to improve your core strength and help relax the mind. You can read more about Bikram yoga here.Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga concentrates heavily on the transition between the poses and breathing continuously throughout the class. Linking pose to breath is very important in Vinyasa. The transitions are quick, making Vinyasa Flow classes athletic and energy boosting.“Ashtanga is a rigorous practice of yoga”
Power Yoga
Power yoga is a derivative of Vinyasa yoga, but it has an increased focus on calisthenics and is more like an aerobics workout, such as running/jogging, cycling, swimming or hiking, than a yoga session. Poses are more like push ups or handstands, aimed on increasing your core strength and improving weight loss. The synchronicity of breathing and transition between poses is still central to the practice, making it still very much a part of Vinyasa yoga.Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a rigorous yoga practice which focuses on the same sequence of yoga poses in the same order each time. This is called the Primary Series. Ashtanga classes usually last for a minimum of 1.5 hours. Ashtanga yoga is very similar to Vinyasa yoga – there is the same synchronicity of breath and movement – but it is more rigid in structure. The result is an intense cardiovascular workout that will cultivate a light yet strong body and a relaxed mind.7 Best Yoga Poses For Tight Hips
HEALING YOGA
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga, meaning ‘effort’ or ‘force’ is about balancing the mind and body. Hatha is actually an umbrella term for the physical side of yoga, meaning that Iyengar, Ashtanga and Vinyasa are all types of Hatha yoga. Hatha has now developed into a modern practice of its own. Hatha yoga is slow and relaxed, focusing on different poses in meditative detail, making it a perfect yoga for beginners.Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is a practice pioneered by famous yogi B.K.S Iyengar. It is a popular type of yoga for people with injuries and beginners, as Iyengar yoga incorporates the use of blocks, belts and blankets in order to assist practitioners into the postures. You can read more about Iyengar yoga here.Yoga Books: 8 Of The Best Yoga Books
Svaroopa Yoga
Svaroopa yoga focuses on comfortable chair poses to maximise healing and perfection of stance. Viniyoga, often used as a replacement to physiotherapy, is a slow and methodical practice which is useful for those who are recovering from surgery or injury.Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga allows you to relax into certain yoga poses for longer periods of time. Some poses can be held for up to 15 minutes. Restorative yoga is similar to Iyengar yoga in that the use of props is important.Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is a practice created specifically to help with joints and the areas around them with very long poses that can be held from five to 20 minutes.6 Best Yoga Poses For Back Pain
SPIRITUAL YOGA
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is a spiritual practice that focuses on harnessing purifying energy in the base of the spine and directing it upwards through a channel of clear chakras. The practice concentrates on finding and clearing these chakras by engaging in chanting, breathing, meditation and Kundalini poses. It’s all about strengthening and releasing the physical, mental and nervous energies in your body. When done properly this type of yoga can be energising, purifying and healing.Jivamukti Yoga
Jivamukti yoga and Sivananda are perhaps two of the most spiritual forms of yoga. They are made up of meditation, sanskrit chanting, vegetarianism and the role of music in yoga. These types of yoga concentrate more on the purification of the mind and spirit as well as the study of scriptures.Yoga Clothes: 8 of the Best Yoga Bras
