Increased flexibility and muscle tone, anxiety reduction, personal fitness and relaxation are common motivations (and benefits) of a regular yoga practice. While all yoga practices focus on the body, mind and soul, the variety of types guarantee that you can find a practice that fits your lifestyle and goals.
Bikram Yoga
Choose Bikram yoga and prepare for 90 minutes of 26 poses in a room heated to 105 degrees. During the class, an instructor verbally guides the students through the different poses. In Bikram yoga, founded by Bikram Choudhury, the instructors don't participate in the poses, but provide input throughout the session. Bikram proclaims that the poses warm, elongate and stretch the muscles, ligaments and tendons while ridding the body of toxins, preventing illness and burning calories. Each session follows the same format, so count on a similar program regardless of where you take a class. Most classes require participants to bring a mat, towel and water.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is popular type of yoga that originated in India. Focused on progressive patterns of flowing poses, Vinyasa yoga encourages students to integrate breath with movement during the poses. Rather than holding poses for extended periods of time, students constantly move through sequences of poses. Lead with your breath and use it to guide you through the different poses. While the tempo is quick and constant during Vinyasa, poses vary by instructor. Vinyasa yoga proclaims that participants will become more conscientious and aware of breathing and movement because of practice.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is a popular type of yoga that is practiced throughout the world. Created by B.K.S. Iyengar and based on Hindu texts over 2,000 years old, the yoga practice is methodical and precise. Proper form and postural alignment during the poses are key aspects of Iyengar yoga. If a person is not physically capable of achieving optimal postural alignment during a pose, props (ropes, blocks, belts) are used to ensure that the student goes into the pose. Iyengar yoga proclaims that regular practice of particular sequences of poses decreases stress, improves postural adjustment that is limited by physical problems and increase bodily awareness and intelligence.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga consists of gentle and nurturing poses that are held for extended periods of time. During a class, students use blocks and blankets to deepen their stretches, which are usually performed while lying down on a mat. Restorative yoga is a method that can relieve achy or tired muscles while reducing stress and anxiety levels.
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