9 different Yoga styles — Which one suits you?

(Short version)

There are more than ninety different types of Yoga and no matter what you’re looking for, there’s a Yoga style that will suit your needs.

Hatha Yoga: The classic variation for beginners

In Hatha Yoga the physical postures are performed very consciously and held for a long time. Thus, Hatha Yoga is relaxing for the mind and body. Nevertheless, Hatha Yoga strains the muscles and demands strength, stability, and balance. It is a classic variation for beginners. This way, you can familiarize yourself with the basics of Yoga before trying different yoga styles.

Kundalini Yoga: Finding your true self

Kundalini Yoga is one of the oldest types of Yoga and, therefore, also very spiritually oriented. It is about recognizing the ‘Sat Nam,’ the True I, hidden behind all the layers of the ego. To achieve this, Kundalini Yoga integrates chanting (mantras), powerful hand signs (mudras), breathing exercises (pranayama), and physical postures (asanas).

If you want to feel comfortable in your own skin and look for spiritual teachings, Kundalini Yoga is the right place for you.

Yin Yoga: Relaxation and Balance

The physical postures of Yin Yoga are mostly performed lying down or sitting. It is not about a quick sequence of movements but about relaxing into postures over several minutes. This allows the stretch to penetrate into the fascia and connective tissue layers and promote long-term flexibility.

Yin yoga is popular among yogis and athletes as a balance to their usual practice.

Bikram Yoga: Yoga for fitness lovers

Bikram yoga is all about sweating: the practice takes place at a temperature of 38 degrees and humidity of 40 percent. These are the perfect conditions for muscle building. In the heat, the muscles loosen up and are better able to expand and tighten.

Bikram yoga consists of a fixed sequence of 24 physical exercises and two breathing exercises, which are performed without a break.

In a 90-minute session, you burn an average of 500 to 700 calories. In this respect, Bikram yoga is something for fitness lovers.

Jivamukti Yoga: Sweating musically

What makes Jivamukti Yoga special is the incorporation of music elements: Mantras, chanting, and singing bowls are a vital part of the practice. The movement sequences in Jivamukti are flowing and merge into each other, almost like a dance. The result is a very challenging holistic body workout. Jivamukti Yoga is the perfect variation for experienced yogis who want to expand their yoga practice to other senses and make it more holistic.

Ashtanga Yoga: Meditating in strenuous movements

The Ashtanga Yoga method is based on synchronizing the breath with dynamic body movements. The sequence of movements is set in six series with varying degrees of difficulty.

The exercises of Ashtanga Yoga are strung together in rapid succession. Since there are no breaks, Ashtanga Yoga is physically very demanding and trains especially stamina and strength. At the same time, the harmony between movement and breathing invigorates the mind and releases mental blockages. Ashtanga Yoga is particularly suitable for athletic yogis.

Vinyasa Yoga: Finding your own flow

Vinyasa Yoga is a modern interpretation of Ashtanga Yoga. As in Ashtanga Yoga, the focus is on the dynamic combination of breathing and movement. The difference is that the sequence of asanas in Vinyasa Yoga is not fixed.

Vinyasa Yoga and the related Power Yoga are especially attractive to dynamic people who still want a connection to the relaxation and self-discovery of Yoga.

Iyengar Yoga: The art of the correct body alignment

In Iyengar Yoga the postures are held for long periods of time, and the mind is trained as the practitioner promotes awareness of correct body alignment.

In particular, the benefits of Iyengar Yoga include flexibility, strength, and body alignment, as well as calming awareness. Iyengar Yoga is very inclusive: through assistive devices, such as straps, blocks, or blankets, exercises can be customized. This makes Iyengar Yoga ideal for people with joint pain, tension, or accidental ailments.

Aerial Yoga: Yoga upside down

Aerial Yoga lets you experience the feeling of weightlessness. Aerial Yoga combines Yoga with aerial acrobatics: a trapezoidal Lycra sheet dangles from the ceiling above your mat, which you actively incorporate into your practice. You sit, lie, or hang in your sling while doing yoga postures.

In Aerial Yoga you can relax in inversion postures and just let yourself hang, while blood circulation and metabolism are automatically boosted.

The proof of the pudding is in the eating.

Just as each person has their own personality, each type of Yoga has a unique character. With every yoga style you try, you expand your yoga practice and get to know new peculiarities about Yoga and yourself. Therefore, for yoga beginners as well as for experienced yogis: try out and enjoy new things.