Which yoga style suits you?
Jul 07, 2020
There are countless types of Yoga and it is not easy to keep track of them all. Especially since there are now such crazy trends as goat yoga or yoga in stilettos.
With such a huge selection, how do you find the right yoga form for you - especially if you prefer to be barefoot and avoid animal co-yogis?
We will give you an overview and make your choice easier. In the following we introduce you to ten well-known yoga styles.
1. hatha yoga
Hatha-Yoga is the best known and most widespread form of Yoga. The traditional style is characterized by the powerful and slow execution of the individual yoga exercises.
In Hatha, the yogi strives for balance between body and mind through physical exercises (Asanas), breathing exercises (Pranayama), meditation (Dhyana) and deep relaxation (Savasana).
The movements are built up very slowly and up to ten breaths long. Therefore this style strengthens and stretches your whole body. It also trains concentration, body awareness and balance. In Hatha-Yoga often aids like straps or blocks are used.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced students. All those who value slow exercises and a traditional yoga practice.
2. kundalini-yoga
This type of yoga originates from the Indian yogi Bhajan, who invented it in the sixties. Kundalini-Yoga is playful and relaxing. The physical exercises are accompanied by chanted mantras, relaxation exercises and breathing techniques. The style focuses on mindfulness, strength and joyful letting go.
Therefore this species is ideal for you if you have a lot of stress in your everyday life. The exercise sequences are dynamic, fun and let you focus on your inner self. The exercises do not involve too much stretching or stretching.
This style is ideal for beginners and people who are not so agile. Because you can also cope well with the simple exercises, as they require less flexibility than other yoga styles.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced students. All those who value relaxation and mindfulness, whether immobile or particularly agile.
3. yin yoga
This style focuses on relaxation and passive stretching. In Yin-Yoga you perform most of the poses while sitting or lying down and hold them for several minutes. This increases your flexibility and provides deep relaxation. This style also stimulates the fasciae.
The individual asanas have a meditative effect and help you to release stress and tension. Yin Yoga is a good addition to all more dynamic styles.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced students. All those who are limited in their mobility and want to work gently on it. Stressed-out people who want to relax deeply and find inner peace.
4. bikram yoga/hot yoga
Bikram Yoga, also known as Hot Yoga, was invented by the competitive athlete Bikram Choudhury. This style is a real challenge, because the individual exercises are mainly designed to train the whole body effectively. Hot Yoga consists of a sequence of 26 exercises, which all build on each other and strengthen and stretch the whole body.
It'll make you sweat a lot: Because in order to protect tendons and muscles optimally, this form is carried out at about 40 degrees room temperature. So you should be able to tolerate high temperatures well.
In Hot Yoga you benefit from effective exercises that strengthen and detoxify your whole body. The spiritual aspect of yoga plays only a minor role. Because the exercises are always done in the same sequence, even beginners can easily get started and the first progress is quickly noticeable. Nevertheless, you should not underestimate this kind of Yoga because of the high temperatures.
In our article: Hot Yoga - tropical temperatures and sweaty asanas you will get detailed information about this special kind of yoga.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced users who want to strengthen and stretch their body and who like to move even in high temperatures.
5. ashtanga yoga
This traditional style is exhausting and demanding. It is especially exciting for yoga purists. The sometimes very difficult exercises always run in harmony with the breath. There are six series in Ashtanga Yoga, which are becoming increasingly difficult and build on each other. Mostly only the first one is taught.
During the yoga lesson you will also practice within the group at your own pace. The teacher goes around and corrects all the practitioners individually and very individually. There are no instructions for the whole group with this style.
Suitable for: Yoga purists with discipline. All those who want to really challenge themselves on the mat.
6th Iyengar
The yogi B.K.S. Iyengar has developed this form in years of work. Iyengar has clear structures, so special attention is paid to the exact alignment of the body in the individual yoga postures, which are always held for a certain period of time. Aids such as straps, pads and
Iyengar primarily pursues therapeutic goals; through the various exercises, pain and bad posture can be gently relieved. Thanks to gentle aids, even people who are less mobile or physically limited can cope well with this style.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced students who want to practice patience. People with physical limitations. Everyone who wants to correct bad posture and strengthen the back.
7. vinyasa yoga
This body-stressed style impresses with its flowing movements and its sporty demands. The right breath is an integral part of the individual exercises.
There is no fixed sequence of exercises in the Vinyasa style, but the individual asanas are always practiced in a flow. This can be quite demanding and exhausting. Nevertheless, the Vinyasa style not only trains you physically, but also calms your mind.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced students who want to reach their physical limits and train their coordination and balance. All those who prefer flowing and dynamic movements.
8th Sivananda
This spiritual and holistic type of yoga was developed by Yogi Swami Sivananda Saraswati. As a traditional form of yoga, Sivananda includes physical exercises, breathing techniques, meditation, positive thinking and a vegetarian, healthy diet.
This rather quiet style is primarily about the balance between body and mind. The individual practices are designed to encourage positive thinking and help the practitioner to achieve more energy and harmony.
Suitable for: Beginners and advanced students who like it holistically spiritual. All those who want to bring body and mind into harmony but place less emphasis on physical effort.
9th Jivamukti Yoga
This style from the 80s is dynamic and holistic - it combines yoga with traditional Indian music. It differs from classical Hatha Yoga, but the exercises are not rigid, but are performed like a kind of choreography. Jivamukti is extremely stimulating and challenging for body and mind.
There are also spiritual practices such as chanting mantras and visualizations. So the spiritual aspect is clearly pronounced in this style. Jivamukti strives for a connection between body and mind and wants to encourage more compassion for yourself and your fellow human beings.
Suitable for: All who like to dance and are looking for a physical challenge, practice yoga to music and deepen their spirituality.
10. hormone yoga
This yoga style is aimed at women and counteracts hormonal imbalance with exercises from Hatha and Kundalini Yoga. It is designed to help women with PMS, unfulfilled desire for children or during menopause to bring their hormones back into balance.
This can be achieved through a combination of selected yoga exercises, breathing techniques and relaxation exercises.
Suitable for: For all women who suffer from hormone-related complaints and are looking for alternative therapies.
Yoga for men
Yoga is basically open to everyone and there are no gender-specific differences - with the exception of hormone yoga, which is aimed specifically at women. However, especially men with little previous knowledge of yoga or gymnastics do with exercises that often require mobility in hips and legs.
This is why species that do not stretch strongly or work with aids are particularly suitable for men. Ideal are for example Iyengar, Bikram, Yin or Kundalini.
Yoga for pre-existing conditions
If you suffer from pre-existing conditions, you should have your plans for safety checked by a doctor. Gentle styles such as Iyengar or Yin Yoga are usually a good way to work gently on flexibility and strength, even with physical limitations.
If you have problems with your heart or circulation, you should, in case of doubt, refrain from doing ways like Hot Yoga or the strenuous Jivamukti. If you have back problems, a style like Ashtanga can sometimes be too demanding for your back.
It is therefore best to resort to practices such as Kundalini, Yin or Iyengar - they are beneficial and suitable for almost everyone. In any case, always listen to your body. Once you have found the right style, yoga can improve your overall health and wellbeing.
By the way, yoga is also excellent for preventing back or neck problems caused by too much work on the computer. The keyword here is: Yoga in the office. Many asanas can be performed in a short intermission perform - often even sitting down. Let your teacher show you some suitable exercises that you can integrate into your daily office routine.
Find your centre - with the right style
And who knows, maybe you'll want to practice in stilettos some day or relax with a goat by your side.