10 Different Types of Yoga Styles

When I first started going to yoga classes, I wasn’t aware of the different types of yoga. 

Walking into my first-ever yoga class, I was thinking “Isn’t yoga just yoga?”

I was wrong!

The good news is, from traditional Hatha yoga to deep, slow yin yoga, there is a class for everyone. 

So let’s look at 10 different types of yoga into more detail: 

1. Restorative Yoga: A slower style of yoga that focuses on relaxation and stress relief through supported poses and deep breathing. It can be beneficial to beat stress, fatigue, and emotional strain. If you’re looking to attend mellow classes, restorative yoga may be the one for you
2. Yin Yoga: A slow-paced form of yoga that involves holding poses for longer to target the connective tissues (fascia) and improve joint mobility and flexibility. In Yin you typically hold the poses between 2 and 5, or sometimes even 10 minutes, to allow time for tension in the body to begin to release. A great practice that can help you sleep at night. 
3. Hatha Yoga: A gentle form of yoga that focuses on physical postures (asanas) and breathing exercises. A great yoga practice if you are seeking an opportunity to relax the body and mind. 
4. Vinyasa Yoga: A more dynamic form of yoga where postures flow on from one another and are synchronised with the breath. A good class if you are looking for an active, dynamic practice. 
5. Ashtanga Yoga: A physically demanding form of yoga that follows a specific sequence of poses. A dynamic, flowing practice that builds internal heat. Perfect for those who want to move, sweat and focus. 
6. Bikram Yoga: A form of hot yoga that consists of a series of 26 poses practised in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. The thinking behind it is that heat enables the body the move more freely. If you like a hot environment, this may be the class for you. 
7. Kundalini Yoga: A spiritual form of yoga that focuses on awakening the energy at the base of the spine through meditation, chanting, and breathing exercises. Great for those who feel low on physical and mental stamina. 
8. Iyengar Yoga: A form of yoga that emphasizes alignment and precision in the poses, often using props. The use of props helps to achieve the correct posture and positioning. The ultimate goal is to build enough strength to get in the right position without the use of props (e.g. blocks or straps etc.). Give Iyengar yoga a try if you’re up for a challenge.
9. Power Yoga: A vigorous form of yoga that combines strength-building poses with dynamic movements and breathwork. Not too dissimilar to Vinyasa Yoga, with flowing movements to get the heart rate up and build strength. Great for those who have lots of energy! 
10. Acro Yoga: A playful form of yoga that combines acrobatics and yoga poses, often practised with a partner.

So how do you know what style of yoga to choose? 

Try them! Many different styles of yoga allow you to shop around until you find the right style(s) that you connect with

If you’re new to yoga, Hatha and Yin Yoga are often highly recommended, as they take a slower pace.