Iyengar can also be practiced at any age and is great for those with injuries (though you should consult with a doctor first). If you like to geek out about anatomy, movement and form, you’ll love Iyengar - teachers share a wealth of information during class. If you’re new to Iyengar, even if you’ve practiced other types of yoga, it’s good to start with a level one class to familiarize yourself with the technique.īest for: Detail-oriented yogis. Unlike in Vinyasa, each posture is held for a period of time. Props, from yoga blocks and blankets to straps or a ropes wall, will become your new best friend, helping you to work within a range of motion that is safe and effective. Here you’ll get nit-picky about precision and detail, as well as your body’s alignment in each pose. Runners and endurance athletes are also drawn to Vinyasa class because of the continuous movement. Intense exercisers might enjoy Vinyasa because of its faster pace. Teachers will often pump music, matching the beats to the sequences of the poses.īest for: HIIT lovers. In most classes, you won’t linger long in each pose and the pace can be quick, so be prepared for your heart rate to rise. Get your flow on in this dynamic practice that links movement and breath together in a dance-like way. RELATED: Hatha Yoga: The Best Workout for Your Brain?

Because of its slower pace, hatha is a great class if you’re just starting your yoga practice. So, in reality, it is all hatha yoga,” Vilella says.īest for: Beginners. “It’s a practice of the body, a physical practice that balances these two energies. However, the Sanskrit term “hatha” actually refers to any yoga that teaches physical postures. In many studios, hatha classes are considered a gentler form of yoga. It’s all about the basics in these slower moving classes that require you to hold each pose for a few breaths. Yoga for Beginners: The 9 Types You Need to Know We’ve got your definitive list of classes that specialize in yoga for beginners - plus tips for identifying the style you might like best. So with all the choices out there, where do you start? Don’t lose your ujjayi breath (that’s yogi speak for calming inhales and exhales). “Someone who is hyper-mobile and flexible doesn’t need the same thing as someone who’s muscular and stiff.” “A 20-year-old and a 70-year-old probably don’t need the same things,” Vilella says.

Different types of yoga might be best for different people. Yoga isn’t necessarily a ‘one-size-fits-all’ practice, either.

RELATED: The 11 Best Yoga Apps to Get Fit on the Cheap “The first day you don’t like a class shouldn’t be a reason to bolt and try something new.” Then, stick with the one that resonates with you for a good amount of time and be dedicated to the practice,” says Vilella. “Try a few different studios, teachers and styles. Should you try Ashtanga or Iyengar? And what’s the difference between hot yoga and Vinyasa? The array of options can be enough to scare newbies off the mat for good.īut here’s why you shouldn’t be scared: Like cross training, incorporating a variety of types of yoga into your regular practice can help keep you balanced, says Nikki Vilella, yoga teacher and studio director at Kula Williamsburg and Kula Soho. You’ve decided to finally start doing yoga - but after Googling classes in your area, your head is spinning.

Gentle hatha yoga sequence