We must say that yoga is more than stretching. Yoga is not just physical movements. Rather, it is the philosophy of balancing your mind and emotions with life. Yoga is not a religion. It’s just a systematic approach to overcoming mental obstacles. Yoga postures (called asanas) are only part of the overall picture that yoga presents. If you’re new to yoga, you probably don’t know how many different types of yoga there are.
Yoga dates back to about 4,000 years ago. During this time, many styles of yoga have developed. Acquaintance with different styles of yoga is one of the duties of every student of this discipline. Now that you are interested in learning about yoga, you need to know that the source of yoga is India. Where, for example, the Hindu religion has more than thousands of sub-branches.
So this knowledge is enough to realize that mastering the knowledge of all yoga styles is impossible and unnecessary. Today, 8 to 14 styles of yoga are considered the main branches in the world, which we will briefly describe.
In this article, we want to know which types of yoga help with common problems such as insomnia, depression, digestion, muscle pain, fatigue and anxiety. So stay with mrdervish to get to know different styles of yoga.
Is yoga a lifestyle activity?
Different Types of Yoga
1- Vinyasa Yoga
One of the most common types of yoga classes is vinyasa. It is the most physical type of yoga, which focuses on synchronizing breathing and movements. This type of yoga is like a bridge to more traditional types of yoga. Many times, a vinyasa class feels a bit like an exercise class with louder music and a faster pace. So you can expect to do sun salutations and sweat a lot.
Vinyasa means breath for movement. You will learn how to breathe while moving. So that this breathing is very useful for the health and strength of your muscles and bones. If we want to summarize the purpose of this type of yoga, this yoga teaches you to stay in the present moment, and forget everything else. Another advantage is that you lose weight and become stronger and more flexible.
2- Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga class is the foundation of all Yoga styles that is very popular in the United States. It is a combination of asanas (movements), pranayama (regular breathing), Dharana and dhyana (meditation) and kundalini (laya yoga). Which results in achieving enlightenment and self-realization that is one of the most important benefits of meditation is related to. In America, one of the sources of relaxation and stress control is Hatha Yoga. The most ideal way to practice Hatha is to practice in a calm and focused state.
In many countries, this style of yoga is very popular and is the fastest way to build strength and flexibility. As you learn postures and anatomy, focus more on getting your body in alignment to build strength and flexibility without compromising it. It is less concerned with fast movement. This type of yoga is safer than vinyasa yoga. It teaches people how to become flexible without being overly active.
3- Restorative Yoga
Most of the time in restorative yoga is spent lying down and relaxing the muscles. This style of yoga is suitable for people who suffer a lot of work and muscle stress during the day and in their daily life.
4- Sivananda Yoga
Shivananda yoga is a style that today has many devotees all over the world. Shivananda Yoga, in addition to appropriate physical and physical exercises, also emphasizes the mind and inner peace. This style of yoga with the slogan of happiness and salvation for humanity has taken a step in this way.
But the most important characteristic of this style and its distinction from other styles is to perform the movement of standing on the head. Because every interested person who attends Shivananda’s yoga classes must learn this practice.
5- Yin Yoga
This yoga is common in all age groups because it reduces pain. Yin yoga mostly works on the connective muscles of the body such as ligaments, joints, ankles and bones. The remarkable feature of Yin Yoga is the movements that keep the body passively in one position for a long time. In fact, it also helps to shorten the recovery time of muscles.
Yin yoga is basically done on the floor without bending the muscles. This yoga is a very scientific way to take care of the body. When the muscles are not flexed but gently stretched for 3 to 8 minutes, the connective tissue covering the muscles softens and relaxes, allowing flexibility to increase.
Yin yoga has been proven to help with insomnia, depression, injury recovery, fibromyalgia and stress. This style of yoga is very suitable for people who have stretching problems or are not ready for a very hard class. It is also very beneficial for those who are recovering emotionally.
6- Viniyoga
This yoga is for people who suffer from injuries or who are recovering from a surgery. Vini Yoga includes a variety of gentle and therapeutic yoga movements. These movements are different according to the body type of each person and change gradually.
7- Ashtanga Yoga
This style of yoga is exhausting. Why? Because it focuses on synchronizing breathing with a series of continuous movements that become heavier step by step. These movements cause intense internal heat, which eventually causes the muscles and main body parts to experience a detoxifying sweat.
The main result is an advanced blood circulation, high flexibility and strength, a light and strong body and a calm mind. Ashantega yoga is a professional yoga and is not suitable for yoga beginners.
Ashtanga or Astanga Yoga is a traditional type of yoga that consists of a series of several movements. In fact, it has 5 consecutive movements, each of which is performed one after the other.
Ashtanga fans practice for 3 hours every day. This yoga is highly recommended for those who are looking to change their lifestyle and want to add some discipline to their lives.
This yoga is great for health as well. Due to the compression of your abdominal muscles and other movements of this type of yoga, your digestive system will be very regular. Your skin will also improve as you get rid of toxins. Once your joints are flexible and your muscles are less stiff, the chance of injury in other activities is reduced.
most popular types of yoga
8- Power Yoga
Power yoga is a basic type of yoga with strong muscles. It can be said that it is the American form of Ashanta Yoga, which is a set of stretching exercises and concentrated breathing. But power yoga is one step more advanced than Ashtanga. The difference is that it is done faster. This means that every non-stop movement in traditional yoga leads into the next movement and turns yoga into a heavy and strong aerobics.
9- Bikram Yoga
This type of yoga is one of the most popular types of yoga in the West, which was created by a person named Bikram. It is a series of movements performed in a very hot room. Bikram yoga is a very distinct type of yoga. Many people will be surprised how different this yoga is from other types of yoga.
This yoga is a series of comprehensive exercises that include all components of bodybuilding exercises, such as:
- muscle strengthening
- muscular endurance
- cardiovascular flexibility
- weight loss
People wear very little clothing in this yoga. you need two towels for the class, one as a mat so you don’t slip and one to wipe your face.
10- Svaroopa Yoga
Beginner students find this style very easy. Some of its basic movements are easily possible on the chair and it increases and corrects the body shape.
11- Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu yoga is also known as Yoga of Consciousness. The gentle and introspective practices of Kripalu Yoga force you to discover your spiritual and emotional knots by keeping yourself in one movement. The aim of this style of yoga is not body alignment and hard work like other styles.
Kripula has three stages:
- The first stage focuses on learning movements and discovering physical abilities.
- The second stage is to keep the body moving for a longer period of time, which increases concentration and awareness.
- The third stage is like meditating while doing the movement, which allows the body to choose all the next movements unconsciously and in the moment by itself.
12- Iyengar Yoga
This yoga is very similar to hatha yoga. Because it is based on an alignment that focuses on body building and slows down the class. This yoga is suitable for people who want to practice for a long time without injury.
In this style, the body is kept in motion for a longer period of time than other styles during training. In this style, the body is kept in motion for a longer period of time than other styles. In Iyengar Yoga, you slowly perform the movement. Then stay in the same position for a minute or more, and then rest for a few breaths and perform the next movement.
Equipment such as cushions, bands, bricks, mats, make it easier for people who have little flexibility to practice in this style. This equipment is one of Iyengar Yoga’s identifiers. Although Iyengar is a combination of traditional movements that has been able to be more extensive than Hata due to the equipment used in it. As long as everyone can do it, even the elderly, sick and physically disabled. Also, due to its low speed, attention to details and auxiliary equipment can be used to recover from injuries.
13- Ananda Yoga
This style focuses on slow movements to bring energy to the brain and prepare the body for types of meditation. Also, its other purpose is to align the body correctly and control breathing.
14- Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini is a style of yoga that focuses more on meditation. Students of this yoga often wear white clothes and usually wrap a handkerchief around their head.
Kundalini is a type of scientific yoga that affects the nervous system. So you feel more creative and the goal is to reach spiritual understanding. The exercises of this yoga focus on the awareness of energy at the root of the spine and pulling it up. In a normal class, its movements are done along with breathing, meditation and remembrance.
how to start a yoga lifestyle?
Yoga Lifestyle
Thousands of years of discovery have been made about the human mind and body to make yoga its present form. Some people do only one type of yoga their entire lives. And some try different types of yoga. Some people find a yoga instructor and follow him.
Anusara Yoga, Mysore style, Forest Yoga, Laughter Yoga, Dhana yoga, Yin Yoga, White Lotus Yoga, Yoga nidra and Acroyoga are different types of yoga, each with its own focus. It recommend to research which one is best for you according to your needs before going to class.
The only precaution we recommend is to practice yoga regularly and not to stop it. If your brain gets used to that regular release of endorphins and you suddenly stop doing yoga, it can cause depression. You probably don’t understand why you feel that way. So make yoga a lifelong practice. This makes sense. If you are very active, don’t suddenly become inactive. Sedentary people are depressed and sick.
If you’re new to yoga, or want to try it for the first time, just like anything else, you need to know what you’re getting yourself into.
Concluding Remarks
Keep in mind that you may not like your first yoga class for a variety of reasons. Maybe you train in a slow class while looking for a fast class. Maybe you didn’t connect with the coach’s personality or you find it annoying.
Stick with yoga and try different classes before you get discouraged. Yoga is an amazing tool that you can use to prevent illness and injury. Yoga gives you the ability to use the maximum energy in your body. There is no best style of yoga, but you have to decide which style is best for you.
