What are the different types of Yoga?

Yoga Types and Styles

There are many styles of Yoga and understanding what each style involves is a great way to find the correct class for you. Whether it’s your first or wanting to try a new class, knowing what each involves will help you choose the right one. It’s also worth thinking about your goal or intension when practising Yoga.

Vinyasa Yoga - a dynamic style where postures flow into each other and use the breath, helping to build stamina.

Hatha Yoga - focuses on strengthening, stretching and relaxing poses, with an emphasis on breath, enhancing mindfulness.

Prenatal/Postnatal Yoga - the postures are tailored for pregnant women and for women after birth. The gentle movements, props and modified poses work to prepare the body for birth or strengthen it after childbirth. Some teachers may also offer mum and baby classes too.

Chair Yoga - modified postures done on a chair or with a chair. Allowing people with disabilities, injuries and/or illness etc practice Yoga without being on the floor or standing for long periods.

Laughing Yoga - a modern style that combines laughter exercises with Yogic breathing techniques to help promote positive wellbeing.

Ashtanga Yoga - a quick and physically demanding style that uses the breath, postures and gaze points. The practice heats up the body and calms the mind.

Iyengar Yoga - the practice focuses on precise alignment, using props to support the body and encourage proper technique.

Rocket Yoga - a modern fast-paced style that is physically demanding and combines elements of Ashtanga and Vinyasa.

Acro Yoga - a style that combines poses and acrobatics usually with a partner, working on trust and communication.

Face/Eye Yoga - not a Yogic style but general movements of the face and eyes to keep them toned.

Bikram (hot) Yoga - practiced in a hot room with a series of 26 poses. The heat helps warm the muscles to increase flexibility and sweat out toxins.

Children/Teen Yoga - classes will be fun and active, using story telling, games and music to practice postures and breath work.

Flow Yoga - more of a description thana style the class will involve linking postures together, flowing from one to the next without staying in positions.

Restorative Yoga - a relaxing style, holding poses for longer periods, often involving props for support. It can help reduce anxiety and promote deep relaxation.

Yin Yoga - which is sometimes thought to be the same as restorative and vice versa, isn’t , although both hold the posture for longer amounts of time Yin is usually done with out props leading to deepening the stretches and using the breath to sink into the pose more.

Power Yoga - a modern style that uses other types creating a fast- and challenging style that builds strength, endurance, and flexibility.

Kundalini Yoga - focuses on energy release, breathwork, and meditation, aiming to awaken the Kundalini energy (life force) within.

Aerial Yoga - a modern practice that combines traditional Yoga postures with the use of aerial hammocks or silks. Practicing this way provides support and alignment, allowing inversions, deeper stretches and strengthen the body.

The list isn’t exhaustive there are many more styles and interpretations out there!

Top tip - try Yoga outside, ground yourself on the grass!