You are new at practicing yoga, where exactly do you start? Because Yoga has many different styles, how to know which style suits you best? In this blog, I will tell you more about the (most famous) styles of yoga and explain my own yoga style.
What are actually the most famous yoga styles?
Active yoga styles:
- Ashtanga yoga
- Vinyasa yoga
- Bikram yoga
More “gentle” yoga styles:
- Yin yoga
- Hatha yoga
I’ll highlight a few for you, starting with Vinyasa yoga. Also called Flow yoga, Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic style of yoga in which you move in a flow on your breath. The postures follow one another at a faster pace than in Hatha yoga, for example. Be aware with Vinyasa yoga that the intensity is not a good match for everyone, it can be very fast-paced and some poses are challenging. Should this appeal to you, my advice is find a beginner’s class and let your instructor know that this is your first time.
Yin yoga is very calm and meditative. Because the postures are held for so long, there is a lot of time and space to observe what is happening in your body and find some kind of comfort in this, both physically and mentally. If you want to practice this style, I recommend purchasing a set of yoga blocks. You use these for support during long poses.
Then the style in which I teach, which is Ashtanga yoga. Ashtanga stands for “eight limbs” in Sanskrit, referring to the eight limbs of yoga. What exactly those eight steps are, I will explain in my next blog. So keep an eye on my website. Every Friday I post a new blog.
Ashtanga yoga is characterized by the dynamic performance of a set series of yoga exercises.
Because of the fast pace of the exercises in Ashtanga Yoga, you are constantly moving and this has many benefits. Below we list some of them:
- It improves blood circulation
- Waste materials are disposed of
- Digestion improves
- Provides inner strength and stability
- Improving flexibility
- Improving your focus
Ashtanga yoga is quite intense and this causes the body to burn a lot of calories. Therefore, it can support people in losing weight. Who is Ashtanga yoga really suitable for? If you like a physical challenge and enjoy doing the same series of postures every time, Ashtanga yoga may be quite suitable for you.
Finding your favorite yoga style is important, but what is equally important is the yoga teacher. When practicing yoga, you often expose yourself vulnerabel, so it is important that you feel 100% at ease. Find someone who makes you feel this way, and remember, yoga is something you do for yourself, don’t focus on others and let your yoga teacher guide you.
Hope this blog was informative for you, until next week :-).
Hug,
Tamara
2 Comments. Leave new
Oh this is so true – first of all you have to feel safe and secure with your yoga teacher. i’ve always practiced vinyasa or hatha Yoga. I did Hatha for a really long time. Now, after surgery i would like to start with Yin-Yoga. super soft. And when i’m fit again i’m sure i’m also trying ashtanga once.
thanks for your explanation!
nice blog!
Thank you for you post.
I started with Bikram Yoga years ago wich was for the beginning way to hard. But nobody was telling or explaining me what could be the best style to start. So I am really happy reading your blog which you really write nicely. Thank you for explaining different styles and making clear that yoga is something where you focus on you and practice awareness.
Actually I am practicing Yin Yoga but really would like to try also something more dynamic. I will pm you soon.