Types of Yoga

With so many types of yoga available today, it can be a bit of a problem for those starting out, which is where this site will hopefully come in handy.
It is important to choose the right form and style of yoga that is appropriate to your physical fitness level, as well as your spiritual needs and general condition of health.

I'm going to list a few of the more common types of yoga right here, to get you started, and give a brief explanation of that type. Find one that's appropriate to you, and have a search around the site to continue your learning....

Iyengar Yoga
This type of yoga concentrates entirely on exact and precise movements, alignment, and inner awareness. Yoga equipment and props are often used, certainly for beginners, to prevent injuries and to help those, who are less flexible than the experts, to do some of the poses in a bit more comfort. Equipment used include yoga blocks/bricks, and straps.
Benefits for using these types of yoga include good exercise techniques for back and neck pain sufferers, and it will give you a good knowledge on the classic yoga styles and poses giving you some good basic fundamental yoga skills.

Ashtanga Yoga
This type of yoga is sometimes called "power yoga" due to the primary focus being to create a powerful flowing movement.
These types of yoga often include classic strength and stamina routines such as lunges and pushups, and are more often used by people who are seeking a more challenging workout. Ashtanga might be suited to a person who as successfully overcome a minor back injury for example.
If an already athletic person wanted to add a bit more concentration and balance into their training might consider this type of yoga so as to keep some of their usual routines involved.

Bikram Yoga
This type of yoga can sometimes be known as "hot yoga" due to being performed in a very warm room. As a result of this heat, your muscle tissue can stretch more easily enabling you to increase your flexibility.
People with any sort of cardio-vascular disease should not try these types of yoga, due to the extra stresses and strains the body has to cope with whilst exercising in a much warmer climate.

Viniyoga
This type of yoga uses flowing exercises to link your breathing and movement together. It can be easily adapted for most people, and can be especially useful to those with neck injuries or back problems.

Raja Yoga
If you are capable of amazing concentration skills, or want to be, and have a spiritual side to you, then this type of yoga might be for you.

Bhakti yoga
This type of yoga is often called devotional yoga, and can be quite spiritual, focusing on self surrender to the divine spirits.

Mantra yoga
Often called "yoga of potent sound", this type of yoga uses sound techniques to acquire liberation through mental and verbal repitition of strong sounds. These are the classic meditation words "om," "hum," "ram" .....

There are a lot of places to learn yoga these days and a lot of them should be able to accomodate any types of yoga you'd like to practice. However, before going to a class, you should do a little bit more research around this site, then ask your potential yoga teacher what types you should be doing and what you have in mind.

If it's something more spiritual you're after then find out a bit about their beliefs and philosophy. If it's something more physical then make sure that all involved are up to the task.

Good luck!

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