Yoga is a spiritual practice that has evolved over thousands of years. Yoga classes require you to harness the power of both your mind and body as you work through a variety of poses. Many people find that yoga practice strengthens and tones the body while it promotes inner calm and a positive outlook on life. If you are just starting out with yoga, look for a class tailored to the beginner.
Hatha
Hatha is a generic term for all sorts of physical yoga practices. A yoga class described as hatha, whether it is intended for beginners or for more advanced students, will be a basic and classic introduction to yoga breathing and pose fundamentals. Traditionally, hatha yoga was intended to prepare the body for meditation. Besides providing you with the physical benefits of stretching and limbering your body, hatha yoga is useful for stress relief and calming the mind. The correct pronunciation of this form of yoga is "hah-ta," not "hah-tha."
Anusara
Anusara means “to step into the current of divine will,” according to "Yoga Journal." This form of yoga is intended to be both spiritually and physically therapeutic, and is particularly accepting of all body types and abilities. The focus is not on the intensity of the poses or stretches, but on accepting and honoring your own and others’ abilities and limitations. It is a good choice for beginners, those who are out of shape, or those who wish to avoid injury.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga yoga is the basis of what is sometimes called vinyasa or flow yoga, in which the you perform a series of six established pose sequences, flowing from one pose to the next with every inhale and exhale of the breath. Each series of poses is called a vinyasa. Ashtanga yoga is strenuous and requires a certain degree of fitness; it is a good choice for those who desire cardio and strength training as they practice yoga. Before attempting an ashtanga class, you should be familiar with basic yoga poses.
Iyengar
Iyengar is a “purist” form of yoga, according to "Women’s Health" magazine, because it focuses on achieving precise positioning and alignment, and moves deliberately from one pose to the next. Iyengar also makes frequent use of props such as blocks, straps, harnesses and incline boards to help you achieve ideal form in each pose. Iyengar is a good choice for those who want to understand the basics of yoga, and is appropriate for all ages and ability levels.
Bikram
Bikram yoga, named for creator Bikram Choudhury, is sometimes called hot yoga, since it is practiced in a sauna-type environment. The class consists of 26 basic poses, each performed twice. The heat of a bikram class serves to limber your body, allowing you to achieve greater flexibility than you can in a traditional yoga class. You will want to dress lightly—perhaps only a sports bra and shorts—and bring plenty of water to replenish lost fluids.
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