What are the different styles of Yoga?

There are many different styles of yoga, including Restorative Yoga, which uses props to help release tension and promote healing.

Many who are new to Yoga do not know there are many different types of yoga classes and practices. Below you will find a brief description of six popular styles taught today, along with the benefits of each.

The seven yoga styles covered in this post are: 

Hatha 

Vinyasa

Yin

Kundalini

Restorative

Yoga Nidra

HATHA 

The Sanskrit word “Hatha” is translated to “strong, willful or forceful.” It is pronounced Haa-taa. 

Benefits of Hatha yoga include increased strength, balance, flexibility, concentration and bone density. A Hatha practice is known to promote calm and inner peace. 

Hatha is one of the most commonly taught styles of yoga in the Western world. There is a strong focus on alignment, with longer holds and a slightly slower pace than some other styles. The home base for Hatha sequences is usually Tadasana (Mountain Pose), meaning the teacher will often bring you to a standing position to cue a new pose. Each pose can be held for 5 to even 15 breaths, with the goal of finding stillness. 

Hatha style is known as a grounding and stabilizing practice. 

You can find Hatha-style classes in our Level 1 Yoga and Moonlight Yoga classes. Perfect for beginners, as well as more advanced students who want to focus on fundamentals. 

VINYASA 

The Sanskrit translation of Vinyasa is broken down into the following phrases: 

Vi - “sacred way” 

Asa - “to place” 

The benefits of the Vinyasa style are increased muscle strength, flexibility, cardiovascular function, respiratory capacity and improved bone density. A Vinyasa class is known to be energetic and uplifting, utilizing the “flow” so often associated with a Yoga practice. 

Vinyasa style yoga focuses on linking one movement to one breath. For this reason, the pace of a Vinyasa class is usually quicker, with more poses incorporated into the sequence. The home base for most poses is the Downward Facing Dog position and the transitions between poses is more fluid, allowing for some more creative classes. 

The quicker movement and focus on breathwork draws many people in for the fitness benefits. If you are wanting to raise your heartrate and sweat in class, this style is for you. 

At Yoga4Everybody you can find a more rigorous vinyasa style in the following classes: Core Flow, Core Focused Vinyasa, Mixed Levels Yoga and Vinyasa Strong Flow.

A lighter Vinyasa flow is also incorporated into our Sunrise Yoga and Nidra Gentle Flow classes  

YIN 

The name Yin is rooted in the Yin-Yang symbol in Taoist philosophy, with Yin representing the feminine side. 

The benefits of Yin yoga are increased flexibility, circulation and concentration, improved mobility in the body and joints, improved health of tissues, fascia and joints, and decreasing anxiety and stress. 

Yin Yoga is a slower and more meditative style. Poses are sometimes held for minutes, targeting deeper tissues in the body with the belief that releasing them can improve and remove blocked energy. The static style of the Yin practice also offers a safer way to apply stress to joints. 

In Yin classes you will typically see the use of props to help align the body correctly, release tension and improve mobility. 

At Yog4Everybody you will find Yin Yoga classes on our schedule, and can expect some Yin movements in Moonlight Yoga, Sunrise Yoga and Vinyasa Strong Flow as well. 

KUNDALINI

Kundalini is translated to “coiled serpent” or “coiled snake” 

The benefits of a Kundalini practice are increased relaxation, flexibility and mental clarity. A Kundalini practice promotes calm and inner peace. 

Kundalini yoga is best for those who want to dive deeper into the spiritual side of the practice. Kundalini is based on the imagery of a snake coiled at the base of the spine which represents raw untapped energy in our bodies –imagery that is  rooted in Hindu philosophy. The objective of the Kundalini practice is to “uncoil” the serpent and activate the untapped energy through “kryias,” which are a series of poses, breath work and sounds connected in a set order. The ultimate goal of this practice is to achieve a higher state of consciousness and inner peace. 

RESTORATIVE YOGA

Restorative yoga is a practice rooted in the healing powers of yoga and its ability to help overcome illness. Restorative yoga leans heavily in to the use of props and follows a slow pace throughout the class. It is considered an ideal balance to hectic and stressful modern lifestyles. 

Benefits of Restorative Yoga include: Increased flexibility, stamina, concentration and mental clarity. 

The poses practiced in a Restorative yoga class are calming and require minimal effort. They are held for minutes at a time to stimulate a healing process in the nervous system. 

YOGA NIDRA  

Yoga Nidra is also known as “Yogic Sleep.” This powerful sleep-based meditation is designed to remove mental and emotional disturbance and rejuvenate the body. Despite the name, you remain fully awake and aware in savasana throughout the meditation process. Yoga Nidra allows you to enter deeper brainwave status and achieve deep restoration and rejuvenation. 

If you are just starting your yoga practice, and are looking for a more physical exercise, we recommend signing up for a Level 1 class, where you will be led through basic postures and learn the foundations from which you can build. 

If you are more interested in a restorative practice, Yoga4Everybody offers Restorative and Yin classes, as well as Yoga Nidra. 

You can book your first two week of classes HERE for only $55. Please don’t hesitate to reach out with any questions.