According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, "Yoga" is defined as:
(Capitalized) a Hindu theistic philosophy teaching the suppression of all activity of body, mind, and will in order that the self may realize its distinction from them and attain liberation
a system of physical postures, breathing techniques, and sometimes meditation derived from Yoga but often practiced independently especially in Western cultures to promote physical and emotional well-being
While I would agree with these definitions as a whole, they are both, especially the second one, are pretty broad. As I have mentioned in my previous posts, my most favorite thing about yoga is that it really is for everyone; every pose can be adapted in a manner making it accessible to all.
Because of this, there are a variety of types of yoga classes offered. I will just touch on a few of the most popular/common types of yoga classes in today's post.
Photo by The Nix Company on Unsplash
Hatha Yoga: This is probably what most people think of when they think of a yoga class. Most poses are held for 5-10 breaths, with the primary goals being relaxing the mind, building strength, and improving flexibility. With Hatha classes, there are various levels of difficulty, such as beginner, intermediate, and advanced.
Vinyasa Yoga: The word "Vinyasa" refers to the movement (or flow) between yoga poses. In a Vinyasa class, the poses are held for a shorter time - about 3-5 breaths - and the movement between poses is coordinated with the breath. The goals of a Vinyasa class are similar to those of a Hatha class, but will be accomplished at a quicker pace. Also, as with Hatha Yoga, there are various class levels - beginner, intermediate and advanced.
Ashtanga Yoga: The most defining feature of Ashtanga Yoga is that the series of poses is always the same. There are 6 levels of poses, increasing in difficulty, that do not vary from class to class. Ashtanga Yoga is a subset of Vinyasa Yoga, as the breath and movement are linked, as well as it being a more dynamic flow.
Yin Yoga: Yin's primary focus is on improving flexibility. This is accomplished by utilizing poses which lengthen muscles and fascia, and then, holding those poses for 2-10 minutes each - much longer than Hatha or Vinyasa classes. As you may have already guessed, the second focus of Yin Yoga is to calm the mind and nervous system. While this may seem the the "easy way out" for a yoga class, holding poses for this amount of time is another type of challenge than that of practicing the strengthening type poses of other classes.
Restorative Yoga: Restorative is similar to Yin in that one of the primary focuses is calming of the mind. In Restorative Yoga, props are used extensively, so there is less of a focus on stretching, and more on the mental and emotional benefits of the practice. Restorative Yoga is great for your "rest" days, since it allows your muscles to repair, as they are fully supported in the practice, and you still have your personal time.
Power Yoga: This is subset of Vinyasa Yoga which will (most likely) make you sweat. The poses are held for less time, creating more movement and building heat in the body, and are generally more strengthening focused, as opposed to stretching. Think of it as the cardio of yoga.
Hot Yoga: Hot Yoga is a subset of either Hatha or Vinyasa Yoga. In short, it is a Hatha or Vinyasa class taught in a hot environment. The heat serves two main purposes: to make you sweat and, additionally, the heat warms up the muscles and allows for great range of motion/flexibility.
Prenatal Yoga: As the name implies, this is a class adjusted for pregnant people. Generally, it is a subset of either Hatha or Vinyasa, with accommodations on each pose for each stage of pregnancy. Additionally, there is a focus on breathwork, to assist with the aches and pains of pregnancy and labor.
Acro Yoga: Acro Yoga is for advanced yogis and is done with a partner to perform elevated poses. It reminds me of acrobats (hence the name) or cheerleaders - holding/tossing people up in the air. As you can imagine, it takes an immense amount of skill and strength for this practice, as well as trust with your partner. You can find numerous examples of this on Instagram, too, to get a better idea of what it looks like.
Aerial Yoga: Aerial Yoga uses slings and/or hammocks to suspend students either partially or fully off the mat. It sounds intimidating, but it is done in a manner which allows students to more easily perform inversions, headstands and handstands. It can be a nice alternative for those with spine or joint issues, as it takes all the weight off the joints.
There are many other types and subsets of yoga, other than what I mentioned here, but these 10 should give you a good base in which to explore, and see which type or types you enjoy. You will probably like more than one type. For me, Vinyasa is my preferred practice, or I will do a hybrid of a Hatha and a Vinyasa class. But I would also love to give Aerial Yoga a shot sometime!
-Charlene
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