Yoga is the journey of the self, through the self, to the self.
So you might’ve seen my Blog on The Magic of Yoga and The Benefits of Yoga and you are now wondering what kind of practice you should start doing. Well, the best part of it is that no matter what practice you choose, all Yoga types have one single goal at their core: to link our breathwork to asanas (poses).
Nowadays, Yoga is being performed and taught all over the world by people of all ages and backgrounds, and I know that with so many different types of Yoga, it can get a little bit daunting deciding which style is the right one for you.
There are a couple of things that you should ask yourself before even considering to jump on the mat, such as What I am looking to get from this practice? It could be an athletic workout or a gentle practice in a more meditative state. The secret here (as always) is to listen to what your heart wants to tell you.
The various Yoga types available today for you have a fair amount of crossover elements and similarities between them, and my honest advice would be for you to try and experience as many different types of classes and practices in order to discover the one that speaks to your soul the most.
Let me introduce you to the 10 most popular types of Yoga to consider when starting your Spiritual Journey.
VINYASA YOGA
My personal favourite and the one I practice most days! This practice combines rhythmic breath with various flowing asanas (postures) which aim to invigorate your mind-body connection. It is very fluid and it is the ideal yoga style for people that are looking for a more athletic flow. In some parts of the world, this is also called Power Yoga depending on the style and background of the teacher, but despite the differences and all the other available options out there, this should be on top of your wish list! I fell in love with this practice as I had the chance to learn and incorporate multiple variations of Surya Namaskaras (Sun Salutations) whilst linking other poses with my breath.
HATHA YOGA
This is the most practised Yoga style in modern Western societies, which actually incorporates most yoga styles, physical postures and breathwork techniques. The word Hatha is translated from Sanskrit as “sun and moon”, “ha” is the sun energy and “tha” the moon energy, and the aim of this practice is to balance the active energy with the calming energy. However, it is a very good type of practice if you are looking for a gentle introduction to the basics of Yoga, where you will get the chance to move with the flow in a relaxed style and get out of the class from a place of groundedness.
ASHTANGA YOGA
This is a very similar practice to Vinyasa Yoga, however, Ashtanga is more structured as it follows a specific six-series sequence of asanas in the exact same order, and it is ideal for those who are looking for a predictable practice. However, most of the classes and teachers teach only the first and second series of postures as the other four can be too physically demanding, and they require considerable time in learning and practising them correctly. Looking for a sweaty and demanding Yoga? Then look no further and dive right in!
IYENGAR YOGA
Along with Ashtanga Yoga, this is a popular style of modern Hatha Yoga and it aims to achieve a precise physical alignment during the execution of asanas. The practitioner can make use of a variety of props during Yoga which enables people of all levels to dig deeper into their balance, flexibility and maintenance of postures, all whilst focusing on their physical alignment. To take note is that this type of practice is very strict, and many people can get uncomfortable with this style as it generally doesn’t allow students to go as deeply into a posture as they might like, but it doesn’t mean that you should shy away from trying it out!
KUNDALINI YOGA
Here, the yogi focuses on repetitive movements, all synchronized with the breath whilst chanting various mantras in a meditative state. The aim of this practice is to awaken the energy from the base of your spine and draw it up through each of the seven chakras (energy points). The poses here are simple, as the practitioner must focus their energy and full awareness on the body and mind connection.
KARMA YOGA
“If you can joyfully involve yourself in any activity, that is Karma Yoga. If you do it with great effort, only Karma will come, no Yoga will happen!”
~ Sadghuru
This practice aims to bring balance. It awakens and grounds your awareness, love and experience in the present moment, or what we call ‘reality’. Karma Yoga is a wonderful path to follow and it can be seen as a ‘crutch’ that the dedicated yogi can hold on to whilst walking through life. By holding this ‘crutch’, one can manage their awareness and temper their sadhna (spiritual training) through the right kind of actions.
BHAKTI YOGA
Or known under the name of ‘The Nature of Devotion’, this form of Yoga practice uses the intensity of emotions and it aims to train them in order for them to take wonderful shapes, to transform your emotions from negativity to pleasantness. It is done so by combining various types of asanas with regular prayer, chanting mantras, singing, dancing and celebrating life. By understanding your feelings and being fully conscious of the way they shift during your practice, spiritual masters describe this as ‘an intelligent way to exist’, which will eventually lead to an ultimate state of happiness and joy.
JHANA YOGA
This is the practice of wisdom or knowledge, and its components include the study of sacred texts, debates and introspection and it is considered to be the most difficult style of Yoga from the four main paths of Yoga (Karma, Bhakti, Raja and Jnana Yoga). The yogi must steadily practice various mental techniques of self-questioning, reflecting and conscious awareness of the self and its surroundings, which will lead to a higher capacity of distinguishing what is real and eternal from what is not.
RAJA YOGA
Also known as the ‘Royal Path’, this practice is a sacred journey to personal enlightenment and it involves balancing the 3 other main types of yoga (Karma, Bhakti and Jnana) whilst integrating the 8 stages of Yoga (for more information on The Eight Limbs of the Royal Path check out this Blog).
YIN YOGA
This is a slow-paced and restorative Yoga style which aims to bring the practitioner in a complete state of meditation and relaxation. By making use of various props, one can experience a state of stillness whilst changing different passive poses for several minutes, thus improving flexibility and increasing circulation in the joints. Asanas are held for longer than usual (up to five minutes) and it is a great way to unwind after a long week, being suitable for everyone looking to feel rejuvenated and refreshed.
There are many other types of Yoga practices that we haven’t touched here (Jivamukti, Bikram, Vini, Hot Yoga and many more), however, all these variations offer something for everyone, the key is to try as many as possible and pick the ones that are right for you!
From my personal experience, I would totally recommend that when you find a type, a studio or an instructor style that works for you, stick to it! Incorporate your practice into your life with consistency, dedication and open-mindedness, as by doing so you will have the chance to reap the many physical, mental and spiritual benefits of Yoga and connect to your inner self!
Let me know what Yoga styles have you tried already, how did you feel and how is your beautiful Spiritual Journey going!
Sending you Love and Light,
Laura 🙏
