About Yoga Types
There are many different types of Yoga. Below we have listed 20 of the main ones but there are more. If you have info on additional types we missed here, please Contact Us to let us know.
Ananda Yoga
Ananda Yoga classes are focused on the gentle postures to move energy up to the brain and to get the body for meditation. Ananda Yoga also focuses on proper body alignment and helps control breathing.
Anusara Yoga
Anusara Yoga is relatively new (around 1997), and combines strict principles of alignment with a playful attitude. Postures with Anusara can be challenging. The real purpose of Anusara Yoga is to open your heart and connect with the higher powers & energies within yourself and others. around you.
Ashtanga / Astanga Yoga
This system of system of yoga named after and was taught by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga / Astanga Yoga is physically demanding and involves synchronizing your breathing processes with progressive and a continuous series of postures, processes, producing intense internal heat and a strong sweat that purifies and detoxifies muscles and organs. The result can be improved circulation, flexibility, stamina, a light and strong body, and a calm, relaxed mind. Ashtanga is a highly athletic Yoga practice that is not recommended for beginners.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram Yoga is a comprehensive heavy workout that includes all the fitness elements: muscular strength, muscular endurance, cardiovascular flexibility and weight loss. The founder, Bikram Choudhury, was a gold medal Olympic weight lifter in 1963 and is a disciple of Bishnu Ghosh, brother of Paramahansa Yogananda. One of the most beneficial aspects of the Bikram Yoga practice is the 35c to 40c (95f-105f) temperatures that promotes flexibility, detoxification, and helps prevent injuries.
Hatha
Hatha Yoga is an easy-to-learn basic type of yoga that is very popular in the North America. Hatha Yoga is the basic foundation of all Yoga types. It incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (regulated breathing), meditation (Dharana & Dhyana) and kundalini (Laya Yoga) into a comprehensive system that is used to reach enlightenment or self-realisation. Hatha Yoga has also become very popular in North America as good source of exercise and stress reduction management. The ideal way to practice Hatha Yoga positions & poses (asanas) is to approach the practice session with a calm, meditative spirit and mood. Relax, Sit quietly for a few minutes, then start the session(s), slowly, with control and grace. become inwardly aware as the body and performs the various positions selected for the Yoga session. Do not over do it or try to competitive with others. Relax, Enjoy, take it easy.
Integral Yoga
Integral Yoga is a traditional type of Yoga that combines postures, breathing exercises, selfless service, meditation, chanting, prayer, and self-inquiry.
ISHTA Yoga
Ishta Yoga was developed by South African teacher Mani Finger and was popularized in the States by his son Alan, ISHTA (Integral Science of Hatha and Tantric Arts). Ishta Yoga focuses on opening your energy channels throughout the body through positions, postures, visualizations, and meditation.
Iyengar Yoga
Lyengar Yoga was created by Yoga Master B.K.S. Iyengar over 60 years ago and it promotes strength, flexibility, endurance, and balance through coordinated breathing and positions that require good body alignment. The positions are generally held longer than in the other styles of Yoga. With Lyengar Yoga you slowly move into a position, hold it for a minute or more, then rest for a few breaths before stretching into another movement. Equipment like cushions, blankets, straps, and blocks to help people who are less flexible also distinguishes Lyengar Yoga from other types. Even though Lyengar Yoga incorporates traditional postures, or asanas, that make up the wider category of Hatha Yoga, the cushions and other props changed Yoga by enabling almost anyone -- even the elderly, sick, and disabled -- to enjoy it. It's slow pace, with attention to detail, and the use of props, Lyengar Yoga can be especially helpful if you're recovering from an injury. Lyengar Yoga is still one of the most popular types of Yoga taught in today's modern society.
Jivamukti Yoga
Jivamukti Yoga was created in 1986 by Sharon Gannon and David Life, the Jivamukti Yoga method involves the spiritual and principaled aspects of the practice of Yoga that have been forgotten or devalued in contemporary & modern times. It is a vigorous and challenging Asana type of Yoga with an emphasis on scriptural elements, Sanskrit chanting, vegetarianism, non-violence, meditation, devotion to God or a Higher Power and the role that music and listening play in the practices of Yoga. Life and Gannon currently operate a popular Yoga studio in New York City.
Kali Ray Tri-Yoga
Kali Ray Tri-Yoga is a series of flowing, similar to dance type movements created by Kali Ray in 1980. The practice also incorporates pranayama (breathing exercises) and meditation. Kali Ray runs the Tri-Yoga Center in Santa Cruz, California.
Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu Yoga is known as the Yoga of Consciousness. A gentle, introspective practice urges practitioners to hold positions to explore and release emotional and spiritual blockages. Goal-oriented efforts are discouraged and good alignment is not as important as in some other types of Yoga. There are three stages involved with Kripalu yoga. The first stage focuses on learning postures and exploring your bodies abilities. The second stage involves holding those postures for an extended period of time, developing strong concentration and inner self awareness. The third stage is a form of meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another happens naturally, unconsciously and spontaneously.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga is a practice that focuses on awakening energy at the base of your spine and pulling it upward. In addition to postures, a typical class includes chanting, meditation, and breathing exercises.
Power Yoga
Power Yoga is the American styled version of Ashtanga Yoga, a discipline that involves stretching, strength training, and meditative breathing. Power Yoga takes Ashtanga a step beyond. Much of the poses (also called postures or their Sanskrit name, asanas) resemble a form of calisthenics -- push-ups, handstands, touching your toes and sideways bends. The key to Power Yoga's sweat inducing, muscle-building power is the pace. Instead of pausing between poses, each move flows into the next, making it like an intense workout.
Restorative Yoga
With Restorative Yoga sessions you'll spend long periods of time laying on blocks, blankets and yoga bolsters allowing muscles to relax.
Sivananda Yoga
As with Integral Yoga, this also traditional type of Yoga combines postures, breathing, diet, chanting, scriptural studies and meditation.
Svaroopa Yoga
New students find Svaroopa Yoga an easier and approachable style of Yoga, often beginning in seated poses that are comfortable. It is known to promotes healing and transformation.
Viniyoga Yoga
Viniyoga Yoga is commonly used as a therapeutic help for people who have suffered injuries or are recovering from a surgery. It is gentle, healing and is tailored to each person's body type and specific needs as they grow and change.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa Yoga is focused on the coordination of breath and movement. It is a very physical and active type of yoga. Vinyasa Yoga was first started by Krishnamacharya who later passed it on to Pattabhi Jois.
White Lotus Yoga
White Lotus Yoga is a modified version of Ashtanga and was created by Ganga White which is combined with breathing works and meditation practices
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is known more for helping with joints, not the muscles. It sends the stimulation normally created by the Asana into deeper areas than the superficial or regular muscular tissues. Yin Yoga works with the connective tissues of ligaments, the fascia, the joints and the bones. A significant characteristic is the long staying positions and the passive nature of the postures. It may feel slow and even boring, passive, but it can also be challenging due to the long duration of the postures, which can last from five to twenty minutes.