The Best Yoga Courses

Choosing the best yoga courses for you will be based on your fitness level, flexibility, goals and physical condition. Some yoga classes are meditative and restorative, and others incorporate a vigorous series of postures that will increase your heart rate. Additionally, yoga is not only a set of postures, but a philosophy that aims to integrate your mind and body. Always consult your physical therapist before engaging in a yoga course if you are seeking a way to stretch your muscles and recover from surgery or trauma.

Best Yoga Courses for Strength

The best yoga courses if you are seeking to build strength in your body are Ashtanga and Iyengar yoga. Ashtanga yoga involves a progressive series of asanas or postures that are synchronized with a deep breathing technique that heats your body, allowing you to sweat easily and maintain a vigorous rhythm that will give your body strength and improved circulation. Iyengar yoga emphasizes correct alignment throughout the sequence of postures and these postures are held for a longer period than other yoga practices, which allows them to penetrate deeper into the strength of your muscles.

Best Yoga Courses for Flexibility

The best yoga courses for flexibility will have their main focus on stretching the connective tissue around your joints. One example of a yoga course that addresses this is Yin yoga. The three main principles of Yin yoga are to come into a pose with depth, remain still and hold it for time.

Best Yoga Courses for Relaxation

The best yoga courses for relaxation are often also good courses for beginners, as they are gentle on your body and as they provide stretching and relaxation. Two of the best courses for this type of yoga are Kripalu and Ananda yoga.

Best Yoga Courses for Recovery

The best yoga courses for recovery should be led by instructors who are specifically trained to know the different variations of a posture. Restorative yoga is one of the best yoga courses for recovery since it uses props to support your body, which allows your body to stretch in a supported and passive way. The book "Recovery Yoga: A Practical Guide for Chronically Ill, Injured, and Post-Operative People," by Sam Dworkis, outlines postures that can be done in chairs and with other props. It also details postures you should avoid, depending on your ailments, such as not performing any forward bends if you have sciatica.