Top 5 types of yogas

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga is about connecting to our individual spiritual energy. During a Kundalini type of yoga class, you can expect chanting, singing, and exercises that focus on breathing. This yoga’s objective is to activate the shakti or Kundalini energy as it helps us to gain a better awareness of ourselves. Gaining this awareness enables individuals to shed their ego and awaken the truth within.

This energy exists at the base of the spine and is thought to channel energy upwards through the seven chakras. During activation, and with regular practice, this form of yoga’s aim is to lead us to spiritual enlightenment. This may be where you have heard the term “Kundalini awakening“.

What to expect in Kundalini yoga:

Chanting
Breathing exercises
Sequences of postures
Mudras and meditations.

Vinyasa Yoga

This contemporary form of yoga is often accompanied by the word “flow” due to its ability to have sequences that flow from one to another. It often allows for time in-between poses to rest and may vary in speed depending on the instructor’s preference. Vinyasa is very versatile but one thing that remains constant is its ability to fluidly move and transition.

What to expect in Vinyasa yoga:

Sun salutations
Steady flow with synchronised breathing.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is often compared to vinyasa classes as they share similar asanas and pair them with specific breathing techniques. However, in Hatha yoga, the class is generally encouraged to move at a much slower pace to ensure the proper execution of each pose.

What to expect in Hatha Yoga:

Centering or meditation exercise
Series of twisting movements, bending, or folding.
Breathing work or meditation.
Sun salutations

Ashtanga Yoga

The purpose of this form of yoga is to purify the mind and body, and the best way to do this is by moving quickly. Ashtanga yoga is a challenging practice. With practice, it challenges its students to grow alongside its fast-paced and precision.

What to expect in Ashtanga Yoga:

• Sun salutations ( A & B)
• Repetitive postures
• Dynamic Vinyasa Flow
• Sweating
• Faster Pace

Yin Yoga

The goal of Yin yoga is to slow down movements and turn inwardly to reach the deep connective tissues of the body. You can expect this sort of yoga to hold poses for longer amounts of time. You can also expect pairing breathing exercises while stretching muscles that rarely gain attention.

This yoga’s inspiration is from Taoist principles that believe that there is an energy that courses through us. When allowing our body to stretch and deepen these stretches to reach areas not usually used, we’re enabling excess energy to a release. This is helpful if you’ve experienced some blockage and need an outlet for this energy to be let go.

What to expect in Yin yoga:

non-heated room
holding postures for long durations
Finding comfort in discomfort – focus on holding poses and turning inward to accomplish stillness in breathing and in the mind
Focused/deep breathing
Slower and more meditative form of yoga.

Power Yoga

If you’re looking for a form of yoga that gets the heart pumping then power yoga will not disappoint. This form of yoga’s objective is making sure that cardio sits at its core meaning that this yoga will get you moving.

What to expect from Power yoga:

Designed for athletes – lots of movement
Modified Ashtanga Yoga practice
High-level of energy
Heated rooms