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Born out of ancient Indian philosophy, today there are many types of yoga practices to choose from.
But where to begin?
If youre new to the practice and feeling intimidated, dont be!
You dont need to worry about having all the right gear or thebest yoga matsjust yet.
Ashley Galvin is a yoga instructor and trainer at Alo Moves based in Southern California.
She took her first yoga class in 2009 and began teaching two years later.
She regularly hosts workshops and retreats focused on her strong, dynamic flow practice.
Vinyasa yoga connects the Asana (posture) with your breath, creating a continuous flow, says Ashley.
This explains why you might sometimes see this style of yoga referred to as ‘flow yoga’.
If youre looking for a pacey, all-rounder class, this could be the one.
Vinyasa yoga improves cardiovascular fitness, strength and flexibility as well balance and stability, explains Ashley.
Its also the ideal tonic for stress.
Hatha
If youre feeling a little off kilter, consider a Hatha class.
Hatha yoga is about balancing the body and mind.
Ha represents the sun and tha represents the moon.
The practice of Hatha yoga aims to balance these two energies, explains Galvin.
This makes it a good choice for beginners or those seeking a gentler activity, adds Galvin.
Iyengar
“Iyengar yoga focuses on precise body alignment in each asana, says Galvin.
Postures are held for longer periods of time to allow muscles to relax and lengthen.
Named after its founder, B.K.S.
Beginners find Iyengar yoga classes a safe place to start regardless of their fitness level.
Kundalini yoga involves a series of quick and easy postures and breathing exercises.
Because of this, it is a great option for those searching for spiritual enrichment.
Ashtanga
If you believe that practice makes perfect, youll love Ashtanga.
Ashtanga is repetitive in nature, meaning you do the same series of postures day after day.
You gradually move up in level only when you could perform every pose from the sequence, says Ashley.
The heat allows students to get deeper into poses, however its not for everyone.
Yin yoga is a passive, slow-paced practice that’s taught in a calm and gentle way.
Poses are held anywhere from 2 - 10 minutes.
Yin yoga can help you feel calmer, grounded, and reduces stress and anxiety, notes Galvin.
But holding a stretch for a good length of time has physical benefits too.
Yin yoga gently stresses connective tissues, which can help improve flexibility and release tension, she adds.
Yin yoga is suitable for most people, but especially anyone with pre-existing joint conditions.
Those who are pregnant should consult with a doctor first.
It can also be a fantastic complementary practice for those that prefer faster paced Vinyasa classes.
Restorative
If you oughta give your nervous system a reset, consider a restorative yoga class.
Restorative yoga focuses on mindfulness, staying present, and letting your body remain still.
Restorative yoga is for all levels and can support injury recovery and enhance mental clarity, explains Galvin.
This is because, during pregnancy, the hormone relaxin is produced which loosens ligaments and joints.
Enter, prenatal yoga.
Prenatal yoga can help prepare for childbirth by focusing on safe poses and techniques.
Prenatal is designed specifically for pregnant women but is also great for postpartum, says Galvin.
Whatever style you try, yoga is an ancient practice packed full of benefits for modern life.
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