What Are The Differences Between Yoga Styles?

Yoga styles vary greatly and offer all kinds of benefits to your mental, physical, and spiritual health. There are so many different styles that it may seem overwhelming to determine which is best for you. Let’s look at some of the most popular types of yoga and how they differ.

 

Flow Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is excellent for toning and strengthening muscles while increasing your cardiovascular fitness and stamina. Each yoga posture is held for three to five breaths and then seamlessly flows into the next posture. Flow yoga is perfect for releasing stress levels and is a great way to quickly become familiar with the different yoga postures.

 

Heated Vinyasa Flow

Heated Vinyasa flow is practiced in a room with elevated temperatures. Typically, the lights are dimmed, and breathwork is connected to the flow from one posture to the next. This style is perfect for preventing injuries and restoring flexibility. It is also perfect for alleviating joint stiffness and increasing circulation.

 

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is much more physically demanding than other yoga styles, and its unique approach requires participants to follow a fixed order of postures. Although Ashtanga yoga requires mental and physical discipline, you will benefit from increased strength, focus, and a cleansed nervous system.

 

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga is a style named after K.K.S. Iyengar, who introduced props like blocks and chairs to help participants with their technique. As you focus on your body’s alignment in Iyengar yoga, you will gain strength and no longer need props to settle into each posture.

 

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga uses invigorating movements, dynamic breathwork, meditation, and mantras to help balance the seven main chakras in the spine. This yoga style helps increase your willpower and intuition, and it’s a very spiritual practice.

 

Yoga Nidra

Yoga Nidra refers to the conscious state when a person is between sleep and wakefulness. From this guided style of yoga, you can expect many health benefits, including better sleep, reduced pain, and relief from depression, to name a few.

 

Restorative Yoga

Restorative yoga is the perfect way to relieve stress and relax your body and mind. This style uses fewer postures than other yoga styles so that you can remain in that position for longer. That way, you can sink deeply into the posture to completely relax, wind down, and cleanse your mind. Props like blankets and bolsters are often used in restorative yoga, so you can comfortably relax in each posture.

 

Yin Yoga

Yin yoga is one of the slower-paced types of yoga that uses yoga postures to lengthen muscles and increase mobility. Each pose is held between 2 and 10 minutes, giving you time to relax and focus on the meditation aspect of this particular style. It’s great for improving sleep and improving flexibility while releasing tension at the same time.

 

Chakra Flow

Your body has seven main chakras, or “Wheels of Life.” These chakras help energy flow throughout your body, affecting every aspect of life, including your creativity, ability to give and receive love, and ability to connect with a greater force. Chakra flow combines yoga postures, breathwork, chanting, meditation, and positive affirmations to help bring balance back to your body, mind, and spirit.

 

Yoga Therapies

Yoga therapy uses traditional techniques proven to help with medical issues. Whether you’re suffering from mental, physical, or emotional pain, you can find relief by practicing yoga therapy. Your instructor can help to target specific problems, including anxiety, muscle tension, emotional mood swings, and digestion, among others, to help you feel better.

 

Hatha Yoga

 

Hatha yoga is a slower-paced type of yoga that focuses on breathwork and mindfulness. Each asana (or yoga pose) is held for 5 to 10 breaths, giving you time to focus on your stability and strength. This style is perfect for beginners since it helps participants build a foundation for breathwork and yoga poses. It’s also a great way for experienced people to practice yoga poses. Hatha yoga has tremendous benefits, including enhanced mindfulness, better sleep, and reduced stress.

 

Schedule Yoga Classes in Queen

Creek Today!

If you’re new to yoga and don’t know where to start, we’re happy to help! If you’re well-versed in all the different types of yoga, we’d love to chat. We offer a variety of yoga classes, and we welcome everyone, no matter their experience or ability level. Check out our class schedule and contact us today to schedule your next yoga class.