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How to Choose a Yoga Style for You


yoga mats
yoga styles to choose from

Choosing the right yoga style for you is important!

We all have our own preferences, but there are some styles that are more suited to certain people than others. When you're looking for a yoga class, it's important that you find a style that fits well with your personality and lifestyle.



What Are the Types of Yoga?

Yoga is a practice that has become popular in recent years. There are many different types of yoga, and you may be wondering what the differences are between them.

Yoga can help you become stronger, more flexible, and improve your balance. And all forms of yoga release tension in the body, quieting both mind and spirit.

There are many different types of yoga:


Bikram Yoga

Difficulty: Challenging

Bikram yoga takes place in a room heated to about 40.6 degrees Celsius (105 Fahrenheit) and filled with 40 percent humidity, almost the same temperature as your own body, which is how you can better focus on staying balanced. During each Bikram class, students perform 26 poses over 90 minutes.


Good For:

The intense heat of a Bikram class will help you increase your flexibility, flush toxins from the body and build stamina at the same time. "Hot yoga is not recommended for pregnant women"

Benefits include:

  • Improved circulation

  • Increased energy levels

  • Reduced stress

Prenatal Yoga

Difficulty: Moderate

This form of yoga focuses on gentle movements, increasing awareness of the breath. It also helps pregnant women prepare for childbirth by preparing their bodies for labor and delivery.


Good For:

Yoga during pregnancy is beneficial for both new and soon-to-be moms.The poses can help you feel prepared for labor, as well as all of the stages of your pregnancy through gentle stretching and breathing for relaxation

Benefits include :

  • Strengthens the pelvic floor muscles

  • Improves posture

  • Increases awareness of breathing

Restorative Yoga

Difficulty: Easy

In restorative yoga, you lie down and relax completely. You use props like blankets, bolsters, blocks, and straps to support yourself so you don't have to exert much effort.


Good For:

If you're looking for a yoga practice that will heal your mind and body, look no further than restorative yoga. This type of yoga focuses on slow, meditative poses that are held for prolonged periods of time with props like bolsters and straps. The aim of restorative yoga is to allow the practitioner to completely relax and release all muscular tension.

Benefits include:

  • Relaxes the entire body

  • Helps relieve anxiety

  • Stress Relief

Hatha Yoga

Difficulty: Easy

Hatha yoga is a physical practice where poses are held for a longer time with concentration and focus on breathing. The practice of haṭha yoga also works on aligning different body parts in each pose for maximum benefit.


Good For:

Hatha yoga is a great way to improve sleep, reduce stress, and enhance mindfulness. The practice involves gentle stretching and rhythmic breathing, which can help to relax the mind and body.

Benefits include:

  • Improvement in muscle tone

  • Better sleep

  • Reduction in stress

  • Enhancing mindfulness

  • Enhances strength

  • Flexibility

Vinyasa Flow yoga

Difficulty: Challenging

Vinyasa, or flow yoga, challenges you to work hard and build strength. It was developed from Ashtanga yoga's sequence of poses but is faster-paced and uses more flowing movements.


Good for:

Vinyasa yoga is an excellent way to tone your body, strengthen your muscles, and lengthen your spine. This type of yoga focuses on linking breath with movement, which helps to improve your overall flexibility and stamina.

Benefits include:

  • Help develop cardiovascular fitness

  • Improve your stamina and endurance

  • Boosts Mood

  • Improves Sleep

  • Stablizes and Regulates the Emotions

Ashtanga Yoga

Difficulty: Challenging

Ashtanga yoga is a rigorous form of yoga that focuses on the breath and sequenced postures. This type of yoga is one of the most famous and popular forms out there, but it can be difficult to master.

Good for:

Ashtanga yoga is a good fit if you are looking to build strength and endurance while also improving flexibility and balance.

Benefits include:

  • Purifying the nervous system

  • Calming the mind

  • Strengthens muscles

Iyengar Yoga

Difficulty: Easy

Iyengar yoga is a form of yoga that focuses on proper alignment and optimizing each pose. It is one of the most popular forms of yoga, as it can be done by beginners or those with injuries.


Good for:

Iyengar yoga is a good fit if you’re looking to build strength while also improving flexibility and balance

Benefits include:

  • Improving focus

  • Regulating blood pressure

  • Increasing energy levels

Is there a best type of yoga?

There's no single style of yoga that suits everyone. There are many different types of yoga, each with its own set of benefits, challenges, and preferences.


One of the most important things to consider when selecting a yoga class is whether you prefer gentle or vigorous exercise. Gentle classes tend to be slower paced, focusing on stretching and relaxation; vigorous classes emphasize strength training and cardio exercises.


Another consideration is whether you're looking for a beginner class, intermediate class, advanced class, or specialized class (such as prenatal yoga). Each level offers a unique experience, including a different pace and emphasis on certain poses.


Finally, some people find that they benefit from attending multiple classes per week. This allows them to try out various styles and classes, and gives them the opportunity to learn from others who may be better at a particular pose than themselves.


If you're interested in trying out a variety of classes, ask friends and family members for recommendations. They may already attend classes that you'd enjoy, or they may recommend a specific teacher or studio that they've found particularly helpful.


There are many different types of yoga out there, each with its own benefits and drawbacks. Some styles are better suited for beginners, while others are better for advanced practitioners.

When deciding between two styles, consider these questions:

  • What are the benefits of this particular style?

  • Is it suitable for me? (If not, try another.)

  • Does it fit my lifestyle?

  • Will I be able to practice regularly?

  • Do I need any special equipment?

  • Can I afford it?


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