How to Choose the Right Type of Yoga

Yoga has been used for centuries as a precursor to meditation. The benefits of finding peace and calmness through yoga can be read in the following article: Achieve Success by Increasing Calm and Productivity".

But what type of yoga is right for you? This article explores the different types of popular forms of yoga, to help you decide which type of yoga practice is best suited for your lifestyle, fitness level, and your personality.

Hatha

Hatha yoga is for you if you are a beginner, a non-exerciser, are feeling physically (and mentall) inflexible or stiff, pregnant women (with some modified poses), and seniors. Scuba divers and anyone else who wants to learn how best to control their inhaling and exhaling during physical activity will benefit from Hatha yoga.

The focus of Hatha yoga is the breath. Hatha yoga practioners will focus on inhaling and exhaling, and controlling each breath as they breathe into each slow-flowing pose.

Physically, Hatha yoga, when practiced correctly, with a focus on breathing and not pushing beyond personal limitations, is the least strenuous form of yoga.

Hatha yoga is non-aerobic, which means it will not get your heart rate up and you probably will not sweat.

Mentally, Hatha yoga is incredibly mellow and relaxing. Hatha yoga is best suited to take in the late afternoon evening, to wind down your day, and help the body and mind.

Hatha yoga may be used as an introduction to yoga, or you could become so comfortable with it that you don't even try other types of yoga.

Iyengar

Iyengar yoga is for also for beginners, or for those who may have taken a break from exercise.

The foccus of Iyengar yoga is on the use of yoga props. Props are used to aid inflexibility, and help you slowly stretch muscles over time. Try a few classes, if you can, where the props are provided, before investing in yoga props. The props commonly used in Iyengar yoga practice include a block, a chair, a pillow or a stretchy strap.

Physically, Iyengar yoga will tone muscles, strenghthen and open problem areas (ex. hips joints), and with regular practice, may even help ease chronic aches and pains. Iyengar yoga should cover most basic yoga poses, giving the practitioner a broad base of yoga knowledge.

Mentally, Iygenar yoga is incredibly meditative, and employs a Hatha focus on the breath.

Practicing Iyengar yoga will give you a good knowledge of classic yoga poses so that whatever other style you practice, you will have the basic fundamentals of how to do each posture. The teacher focuses on alignment and inner awareness. Awareness starts with the body and expands to other parts of the self as one continues with the regularity of practice.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is best suited to people who will enter into the practice with an open mind, want to meditate, and are looking for relaxation. Kundalini yoga may be practiced by beginners, non-exercisers and seniors. Kundalini yoga may also benefit those with addictions.

The focus of Kundalini Yoga is on the mind-body connection, and its effect on wellness. Kundalini yoga may be considered "new age" by some. Kundalini combines guided relaxation sessions with chanting and meditations. There is much emphasis on controlling inhaling and exhaling.

Physically the goal of Kundalini Yoga is to activate the spine.

Mentally Kundalini Yoga is both the most demanding and beneficial type of yoga practice. Kundalini yoga will help to cleanse the mind, and your emotions.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanaga yoga is for physically-fit people, exercisers seeking to increase their strength, exercisers looking to lengthen their stamina, and for athletes.

The focus of Ashtanga yoga is on developing both strength and stamina.

Physically Ashtanga yoga can be an aerobic-level exercise, as the body moves from pose to pose fairly quickly.

Mentally Ashtanga yoga is not as meditative as other forms of yoga. However, with so much of your mind focused on breathing and moving in and out of Ashtanga yhoga positions, your mind will let other things go, and there will be a stress-release factor.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram yoga is for seasoned yoga practitioners, and people in very excellent physical condition. Bikram yoga should not be practiced by those with asthma, allergies, difficulty with breathing, heat sensitivities or other medical conditions without first consulting a doctor.

The focus of Bikram yoga is on using heat to intesnify the yoga work out. Bikram yoga is traditionally practiced in a closed and heated room.

Physically Bikram yoga is intense and demaning. By using a heated room during Bikram yoga practice, toxins may be released from the body, which is why regular practice of Bikram yoga can aid in maintaing health and combatting diseases.

Mentally Bikram yoga takes mental stamina, to work through the heat and focus on the poses. Bikram yoga provides a cleansing for both body and mind.

These are just some of the popular types of yoga practiced. Try Hatha yoga, Iyengar yoga to start, and then keep practicing yoga, or try the Kundalini yoga, or for physical challenges move on to Ashtanga yoga or Bikram yoga.