8 yoga styles explained – Find yours below!

Are you looking for your own yoga style? Take a look a the below styles and get to know them more in depth later in this article.

  • Hatha yoga is a gentle and accessible form of yoga that focuses on physical exercise and breathing control. It is a good starting point for beginners who want to learn the basics of yoga. Read more about Hatha yoga Read more about Hatha yoga…
  • Bikram yoga is a type of hatha yoga that is performed in a heated room. It follows a specific series of postures and can be a challenging practice due to the heat and intensity of the poses. Read more about Read more about Bikram yoga…
  • Power yoga is a fitness-based form of yoga that emphasizes strength, endurance, and flexibility. It is a more athletic and physically demanding practice that can help improve overall fitness. Read more about Read more about Power yoga…
  • Yoga nidra, also known as “yogic sleep,” is a deep relaxation technique that can help reduce stress and improve sleep. It is a meditative practice that involves lying down and being guided through a series of verbal instructions. Read more about Yoga nidra…
  • Yin yoga is a slower-paced style of yoga that focuses on gentle, sustained stretches. It is a more meditative practice that can help improve flexibility and cultivate a sense of calm and inner peace. Read more about Read more about Yin yoga…
  • Ashtanga yoga is a physically demanding form of vinyasa yoga that follows a set series of postures. It is a fast-paced and challenging practice that can help improve strength and concentration. Read more about Read more about Ashtanga yoga…
  • Iyengar yoga is a type of hatha yoga that emphasizes proper alignment and the use of props. It is a therapeutic practice that can be beneficial for people of all ages and abilities. Read more about Read more about Iyengar yoga…
  • Jivamukti yoga is a physically and spiritually challenging form of yoga that incorporates music, chanting, and meditation. It is a practice that is designed to help the practitioner connect to their true self and achieve liberation from suffering. Read more about Jivamukti yoga…

1. Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a branch of yoga that focuses on physical exercise and breathing control. The word “hatha” can be translated to mean “force” or “willful,” and it is often associated with a more physical form of yoga. This type of yoga emphasizes postures and movements (asanas) and the use of the breath to control the flow of energy in the body. Hatha yoga can be a good introduction to the practice of yoga for beginners, as it focuses on the basic techniques and principles of the practice.

2. Bikram yoga

Bikram yoga is a type of hatha yoga that follows a specific series of postures and is performed in a heated room. The practice was created by Bikram Choudhury and consists of 26 asanas (yoga postures) and two breathing exercises. The idea behind practicing yoga in a heated room is that the heat helps to loosen the muscles, allowing for deeper stretching and less risk of injury. Bikram yoga is often considered a challenging form of yoga due to the heat and the intensity of the postures.

3. Power yoga

Power yoga is a type of fitness-based yoga that originated in the United States. It is a more athletic and physically challenging form of yoga that emphasizes strength, endurance, and flexibility. Power yoga classes often have a faster pace than traditional yoga classes and may incorporate elements of other fitness routines, such as strength training and cardio. Unlike some other forms of yoga, power yoga does not follow a set series of postures, so each class can be different. The focus is on building strength, improving overall fitness, and increasing flexibility through the practice of various yoga postures.

4. Yoga nidra

Yoga nidra, also known as “yogic sleep,” is a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping. It is a deep relaxation technique that is often used as a form of meditation. During yoga nidra, the practitioner lies in a comfortable position and is guided through a series of verbal instructions that help to relax the body and calm the mind. The goal of yoga nidra is to reach a state of complete physical, mental, and emotional relaxation. This practice can help to reduce stress, improve sleep, and increase overall well-being.

5. Yin yoga

Yin yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga that focuses on gentle, sustained stretches. It is a more meditative form of yoga that is designed to improve flexibility and help the practitioner cultivate a sense of calm and inner peace. In a yin yoga practice, poses are typically held for several minutes at a time, with the support of props such as blankets and blocks. The focus is on relaxing into the posture and releasing any physical or mental tension. Yin yoga is a good complement to more active forms of yoga, such as vinyasa or ashtanga, as it helps to balance out the body and mind.

6. Ashtanga yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a style of yoga that originated in India. It is a physically demanding form of yoga that follows a set series of postures and is typically performed in a fast-paced, flowing sequence. Ashtanga means “eight-limbed” in Sanskrit, referring to the eight limbs of yoga outlined in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Ashtanga yoga is a form of vinyasa yoga, which means that the movements are synchronized with the breath. The practice of Ashtanga yoga helps to improve flexibility, strength, and concentration. It is considered to be one of the more challenging forms of yoga.

7. Iyengar yoga

Iyengar yoga is a type of hatha yoga that focuses on alignment and the proper use of props. It was developed by B.K.S. Iyengar and is known for its attention to detail and precision in the execution of yoga postures. In an Iyengar yoga class, props such as blocks, straps, and blankets are often used to help students achieve proper alignment and to support the body in the postures. The use of props makes Iyengar yoga accessible to people of all ages and abilities. This type of yoga is known for its therapeutic benefits and can be a helpful tool for managing stress and improving overall health and well-being.

8. Jivamukti yoga

Jivamukti yoga is a type of hatha yoga that incorporates elements of spiritual teachings and philosophy. The practice was developed by Sharon Gannon and David Life and is known for its physical intensity and emphasis on ethical and spiritual awareness. Jivamukti means “liberation while living” in Sanskrit, and the practice is designed to help the practitioner develop a connection to their true self and to achieve liberation from suffering. Jivamukti classes often incorporate music, chanting, and meditation in addition to physical postures. The practice is designed to be challenging and to promote physical and spiritual growth.