Which Type of Yoga is Right for You?

| October 22, 2015

Which Type of Yoga is Right for You?

Yoga is a very ancient practice that has evolved over the years. It originates from India and gained popularity all over the world in the 60s. Today, yoga is widely acknowledged as a great activity to promote holistic health and release stress. However, there are so many different styles of yoga practiced today that most outsiders who look in are baffled and intimidated.

Naturally, you want to pick a style that would best fit you and give you the right benefit, but how do you choose? Here’s an easy guide to the popular yoga styles:

  • Hatha Yoga – Usually this is a term that would cover all styles of yoga, but it seems to have evolved into its own branch. It focuses more on the spiritual and psychological than the physical aspect of the practice. While there are some asanas practiced, the movement is slow and gentle. The focus is on breathing and meditation.
  • Ashtanga Yoga – Ashtanga and its off-shoot, Power Yoga is your best bet if your want to lose weight and are willing to sweat it out. This type focuses on the physical aspect. The idea is to flow from one pose to another in near constant motion. You can burn as much as 500 calories in an hour of this practice.
  • Iyengar Yoga – This is great for people who’re either recovering from injuries or are prone to them. The teachers of Iyengar yoga are trained in biomechanics and know how the body functions. They’ll be able to attain the right position to prevent any injury. Unlike Ashtanga, there is some pause between the poses, which allows your body to stabilize and adjust.
  • Acro Yoga – This style is great for social people who want to have some fun while they work out. You’ll burn a lot of calories here too, but you’ll be a part of a community while you do it.
  • Vinyasa Flow – This yoga, like Ashtanga, pays particular emphasis on movement. The constant movement builds up heat in your body and releases stress. Vinyasa flow is one of the more popular styles because of the high calorie burn count. It’s also a great stress-buster.

How to Find the Right Teacher? 

Finding the right yoga style is great, but you need the right teacher to teach it. You don’t always need a fancy studio to practice yoga. In fact, you’ll find a very well trained teacher in a modest practice as well. These are the points you need to note:

  • Does the studio have calm and comforting atmosphere?
  • Are the teachers certified from a legitimate teaching center?
  • How long have they been practicing?
  • How long have they been teaching?

You also have the option of learning online in the privacy of your own home but getting a hands-on teacher is always recommended. If you want to hire a good yoga teacher, start looking by browsing through the Hotfrog Canada’s Yoga page. You’re sure to find the right teacher for you here.