With over two hundred different styles of yoga, how do you know which one is right for you. Here is a guide for some of the different styles to help you get started with your practice.
ANUSARA
It means “flowing with grace”. Anusara offers a playful and uplifting approach to an alignment based practice. There are elements of storytelling, chanting, and transmiting life-affirming values of Tantric philosophy. There is a huge focus on love and joy and celebrating the beauty of life and yoga practice. Each class has a theme which is meditated on and then used metaphorically throughout the practice. The aim of this practice is to open the heart, so it is likely that some backbends will be practiced as backbends are best for opening the heart. The Universal Principles of Alignment are also practiced in this style of yoga. These alignment techniques are consistent to those taught in Iyengar yoga but they have been modified into a system that makes it relatively easy to access the physical actions and energetic channels you are attempting to connect to in the postures.
John Friend is the founder of Anusara Yoga in 1997. To learn more anusara.com
ASHTANGA YOGA
Ashtanga Yoga is a very athletic and demanding yoga practice.It is the inspiration of most vinyasa style classes. Most
traditional Ashtanga yoga classes are taught “Mysore style” which means that students learn a series of postures and
practice them at their own pace while a teacher goes around the room giving adjustments and personal suggestions. In a
Mysore class you begin with the primary series and then when your teacher deems you ready, you move on to the second, third and fourth series. These days it is quite common to find led Ashtanga classes.The practice is smooth and uninterruptedd. The practitioner learns to simply observe whatever is arising during practice without holding on to it or rejecting it, without anaylzing or critizing. This skill of attentive nonattachment slowly begins to spill over into all aspects of the practitioners life.
K.Pattabhi Jois (1915-2009) was the founder of this system of yoga and is taught worldwide. R. Sharath, Jois’s grandson contines to lead classes at the Ashtanga Yoga Institute in Mysore, India. To learn more ashtanga.com
BAPTISTE POWER VINYASA YOGA
This style of yoga is flowing and physically challenging. It will tone your body and get your heart pumping while also
encourging you to find your authentic personal power in life. Classes are an invigorating 90 minutes performed in a heated room. They are designed to condition the whole body in strength, flexibilty, stability and balance. Baptiste Power Yoga draws inspiration from the Ashtanga practice.The aim of the practice is to create freedom, peace of mind and the ability to live more powerfully and authentically in the moment.
Baron Baptiste, the son of Walt and Magana Baptiste, who opened the first yoga center in San Francisco in 1955. The
headquarters now for Baptiste Power Yoga Institute is in Cambridge, Massachusetts. To learn more baronbaptiste.com
BIKRAM YOGA
Bikram Yoga is practiced in a heated room about 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Each class is 90 minutes long. A series of two
breathing exercises and 26 poses are done in each class. There is no chanting and you do get a final relaxation pose.
The aim of this practice is to create a fit body and mind, allowing the physical self to unify with the spiritual self. This practice is designed to work the body as well as to bring attention and concentration into the mind.
Bikram Choudhury introduced his style of yoga into the United States in 1971. His main teacher was Bishu Ghosh(1903-1970) brother of Paramhansa Yoganada. The main headquarters ar located in Los Angeles. To learn more bikramyoga.com
FORREST YOGA
Forrest Yoga is a very strong, hot practice. It is designed to detoxify your body, releasing physical and emotional tension and pain, while celebrating the strength of your own body. Prepare to connect with your core.The aim of Forrest yoga is to connect with your life’s purpose. To clear out stored emotions so you have room for your
spirit to come home too. This practice often combines physically challenging sequences with a deep emotional exploration.
Forrest Yoga came into being in 1982 by Ana Forrest. To learn more forrestyoga.com
HATHA YOGA
Hatha meaning “sun”(ha) and “moon”(tha). It is broadly referred to as the physical practice of the 8 limbs of yoga.
Technically all forms of yoga that include postures are hatha classes. Generically, a hatha yoga class will be loosely
patterned after Iyengar Yoga. A good hatha class will have elements of strenuous work and relaxation. To know exactly what to expect in this class you’ll have to contact the teacher or studio.
HOT YOGA
Hot yoga classes are done in a heated room. The heat warms the body from the outside in, just as asanas/poses warm the body from the inside out. Typically hot yoga classes are more strenuous as the heat adds an extra challenge. Hot yoga classes are loosely patterned after Bikram Yoga.
INSIGHT YOGA
Insight Yoga is a physically passive practice that aims to develop and maintain mobility in the body’s muscles, joints and deep connective tissues. Simple seated, supine, or prone poses are practiced and held for a long period of time; 5 minutes or longer. It is a well-rounded system that is influenced by yoga, Buddhism, Taoism and spiritual psychology. Insight yoga combines active and receptive asana practice, mind training and practices for healing the heart.
Sarah & Ty Powers are the founders of The Insight Yoga Institute in 2010. To learn more sarahpowers.com
INTEGRAL YOGA
Integral Yoga is a gentle practice that combines chanting, postures, deep relaxation, breathing exercises and meditation. Emphasis is placed on making the practice accessible to everyone – so modifications are given freely and individual progress comes first.It is encouraged to move at your own pace and keep your attention to your own experiences.Integral yoga focuses on returning the practitioner to their”natural condition”, which includes clearing and calming the mind, optimizing health and strength, creating a sharp intellect and a heart full of unconditional love.
Integral yoga was founded by Swami Satchidananda (1914-2002) who came to the United States in 1966.
To learn more iyta.org
IYENGAR YOGA
Iyengar classes typically move at a slow pace with great awareness and attention paid to the placement of the body. Often you will only do a few poses or the class will focus on twists, for example. Poses are often modified with props, which makes the practice accessible to all ages and body types. The main focus for beginners is to understand the alignment and basic structure of the poses to gain body awareness, strength and flexibility. For advance practitioners the focus becomes discovering the subtleties of the poses and breathwork. For very advanced practitioners the focus is on discovering the inner core (spiritual awareness).
Iyengar Yoga is based on the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar and more recently, the teaching of his daughter Geeta Iyengar and his son Prashant Iyengar. To learn more bksiyengar.com
ISHTA YOGA
ISHTA is an acronym that stands for Integrated Science of Hatha, Tantra and Ayurveda. Ishta yoga classes are usually based on a theme like balancing the chakras. Alignment based vinyasa sequences, meditation, pranayama (breathwork) and kriyas (cleansing techniques) are used to create a specific energetic effect.The focus of this style of yoga is to balance the human organism to create a strong and stable platform for spiritual growth.
Alan Finger and his father Kavi Yogiraj Mani Finger founded Ishta Yoga in the 1960’s in South Africa.
To learn more ishtayoga.com
JIVAMUKTI YOGA
Jivamukti means “liberation while living”. It is a physically vigorous and intellectually stimulating practice that focuses on spiritual development. Expect to encounter challenging asanas, Sanskrit chanting, references to scriptural texts, eclectic music, pranayama, and meditation. Ahimsa ( non-harming) is one of the main principles of Jivamukti Yoga, so classes often explore links between yoga and animal rights, veganism, environmentalism and political activism.
In 1984, Jivamukti Yoga was founded by Sharon Gannon and David Life. To learn more jivamuktiyoga.com
KRIPALU YOGA
Kripalu Yoga vary widely from hot and vigorous to gentle chair yoga for seniors. Teachers will always encourage students to listen to their own body. Classes are geared to students who are interested in using their own personal experience as a guide rather than simply following the prescriptions of a teacher. Postures, pranayama, meditation and relaxation techniques are practiced.The main objective of Kripalu Yoga is to awaken the flow of prana – the natural life energy that will enable you to thrive in all aspects of life.
Swami Kripalu (1913-1981) was the founder of Kripalu Yoga. To learn more kripalu.org
KUNDALINI YOGA
Kundalini Yoga is sometimes referred to as Yoga of Awareness. Classes are typically 90 minutes in length, begining with chanting and ending with singing. Sequences of vigorous movement-oriented postures, challenging breath exercises, mantras and mini-meditations are done to push you to your limit and beyond. The practice is meant to be intense.The goal is to awaken the kundalini energy, the psychoenergetic force the leads to spiritual enlightenment.
Yogi Bhajan founded Kundalini Yoga in 1969. To learn more kundaliniyoga.com
OM YOGA
Om Yoga is a blend of Buddhism and yoga. Classes focus on precise alignment while going through a meium paced vinyasa
sequence. There are many references to Tibetan Buddhism to be mindful and compassionate. The purpose of this practice is to use Buddhist and yoga principles to cultivate strength, stability and clarity so you can integrate mindfulness and compassion into your whole life.
Om Yoga was founded by Cyndi Lee when she dicovered yoga in 1971 and then Tibetan Buddhism in 1988.
To learn more omyoga.com
PARAYOGA
Para Yoga classes combine challenging asana, pranayama, meditation, mudras(sealing gestures), bandhas(energy locks) and kriyas(cleansing techniques) Each class is focused on an intention and the ending relaxation seals in the theme.
The main focus is to manifest spiritual and worldly success through increased self awareness and refined prana (life
energy).
Para Yoga was founded in 1995 by Rod stryker. To learn more parayoga.com
PRANA FLOW YOGA
Prana Flow Yoga is an active, fluid form of vinyasa yoga. The class ia an exercise in near continous motion. Sequences are creative and often have elements of dance and moving meditation. Music often played to provide a rhythm for linking breath with movement. The purpose of Prana Flow Yoga is to help students of all levels connect with prana, orlife energy.
In 2005 Shiva Rea founded Prana Flow Yoga. To learn more shivarea.com
PRAJNA YOGA
Is a contemplative practice that combines Buddhist techniques with somatic awareness through precise alignment. Each class begins and ends with meditation and, emphasizes mindfulness within sustained postures. Prajna Yoga is a complex program of meditation, somatic awareness, precise alignment and in-depth work with the organs, circulatory and myofascial systems.
Founded by Tias and Surya Little. To learn more prajnayoga.net
PURNA YOGA
Purna Yoga classes typically are 90 minutes long with a short meditation at the beginning and end of class. It is an
asana-focused class drawing on alignment principles taught by Iyengar Yoga. Classes also emphasis the uniting of the body, mind and spirit. It focuses on opening the heart chakra and connecting to the soul within.
Aadil and Mirra Palkhivala founded Purna Yoga in 2003. To learn more aadilandmirra.com
RESTORATIVE YOGA
Restorative Yoga is devoted to deep rest and renewal. Classes typically involve 4 to six floor postures. The practitioner is held in a passive posture for 10 minutes or longer; with the help of yoga props, such as bolsters, blankets, sandbags, straps, eye pillows and blocks. Comfort is key in this style of yoga. The purpose of Restorative Yoga is help the body and mind slow down.
SIVANANDA YOGA
Sivananda Yoga is more of a spiritual pratice than exercise. Classes are 90 minutes long with a focus on 12 key poses and Sanskrit chanting, pranayama, meditation and relaxation. It’s purpose is to transform and elevate human consciousness.
In 1957 Swami Vishnu-devananda(1927-1993) founded Sivananda Yoga. To learn more sivananda.org
SVAROOPA YOGA
Svaroopa is a Sanskrit word meaning”the bliss of your own being”. Classes can last up to 2 hours beginning and ending in Savasana(corpse pose). Svaroopa Yoga focuses on gently releasing the muscles around the spine. Expect a lot of floor work with lots of propping and hands on adjustments. The goal is create “core opening” to remove energetic and other impediments to inner transformation.
Founded by Swami Saraswati Nirmalananda in 1992. To learn more svaroopayoga.org
TRIYOGA
TriYoga classes feature a flowing asana practice with pranayama and mudras(sealing gestures). Classes usually run for 90 minutes or longer and end with pranayama, dharana(Concnetration) practice and meditattion. Alot of wave like spinal
movements and synchronized breathing are done to awaken prana, or life energy.
Kali Ray founded TriYoga in 1980. To learn more triyoga.com
VINIYOGA
Viniyoga is designed to individual needs or specific purposes such as reducing back pain. It is a gentle and fluid practice varying greatly in content and in length. Depending on the needs of the student, classes may include asana, pranayama, chanting, meditation and prayer.Typically all Viniyoga classes emphasize mobilizing the spine and linking movement with breath.
In 1999, Gary Kraftsow founded the American Viniyoga Institue. To learn more viniyoga.com
VINYASA YOGA
In a vinyasa yoga practice the practitioner will flow from pose to pose by sychronizing to the breath. Being mindful of the breath is emphasized during the poses as well during transition from pose to pose. Vinyasa classes are based loosely on Ashtanga Yoga. Expect to do alot of Sun salutations at the beginning of class, and throughout the practice. If a teacher tells the class to “take a vinyasa” she is referring to a mini version of a sun salutation that includes plank, chaturanga, upward-facing dog and downward-facing dog. Power Yoga is another name for this challenging style.
YIN YOGA
Is a passive style of yoga. It aims to maintain mobility in the deep connective tissues. seated, supine or prone poses are practiced and held for a long period of time – up to 5 minutes or longer. There is great focus on the lower back and hips. Also Yin poses are meant to mobilize the flow of prana, freeing energetic blockages similar to acupuncture.
YOGA IN THE TRADITION OF KRISHNAMACHARYA
Classes are typically one on one or very small groups. Individualized attention is a key principle to making sure each
practitioner is recieve what they need. Each movement is coordinated with a inhale or exhale or a hold and the effects are often felt in the body and breath but also on an emtional level.
Sri T. Krishnamacharya (1888-1989) created the Krishnamacharya Yoga Mandiram in Chennai India. His son T.K.V. Desikachar and his grandson Kausthub Desikachar continue the tradition of practice.To learn more kym.org
YOGAFIT
YogaFit classes focus on using postures to benefit the body. Practice sessions will feel like an exercise class. YogaFit will be often found at health clubs. No Sanskrit is used, only plain English. Classes typically start off with some deep breaths, a warm up period and then a series of yoga asana, finishing with a five minute relaxation. The focus is totally on fitness.
YogaFit was founded in 1994 by Beth Shaw. To learn more yogafit.com
Resource: Yoga Journal