Yoga Styles Explained

All styles of yoga are fantastic, but the variety can be overwhelming. It can be a challenge to navigate the seemingly endless variety of yoga styles because each teacher has their own interpretation of what it all means. The choice can be overwhelming. Which style of yoga is right for you? If you “tried yoga once and didn’t like it” or think you’re “too stiff for yoga”, how do you find something that suits your needs? Maybe you’ve been loyal to one style or teacher, but is there any benefit to adding some variety? The following is a guide to a few of the basic styles of yoga.

Hatha

The sanskrit word Hatha is translated as “forceful”. This differentiates Hatha yoga from meditation because there are physical shapes (asana) involved as opposed to the more subtle practice of seated meditation.

Others say that “ha” describes the sun and “the” refers to the moon. With the word yoga being translated as “yoke”, some say that hatha yoga is yoga that strives to balance these energies.

If it seems like I just described all physical forms of yoga, that is correct. Vinyasa, Power, Iyengar and Ashtanga some of the seemingly endless types of hatha yoga.

Generally when a class is described as Hatha yoga, it is usually practiced in a non heated room and is has an emphasis on holding poses while maintaining an awareness of breath and/or alignment. Hatha yoga is usually designed to improve strength, flexibility, and brings a state of calm. Hatha classes may include some sun salutations and the same postures as other styles, but they are generally not linked together with the breath. Generally, hatha yoga is great for beginners. Due to the wide variety of “hatha” yoga, every studio and teacher is a little bit different.

Iyengar

Based on the teachings of BKS Iyengar, this style of hatha yoga is focused on precise alignment. It uses props to maintain structural integrity in yoga poses. Expect long holds that focus on the details of how the body physically takes up space. The practice improves strength, stability, flexibility, physical and mental awareness.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa is a type of hatha or physical yoga practice. The sanskrit word vinyasa can be translated as “to place in a special way”. Vinyasa is a style of yoga that provides more flow or movement than hatha yoga, and can be practiced at a slow or rapid pace. Vinyasa yoga can be practiced in heated or non heated rooms, but always strives to align movements of the body with the breath. This link can make it easier to reach a quiet, inward focus, while challenging strength and flexibility.

Vinyasa classes are not sent to any specific sequence. Poses are practiced in an order set by the teacher based on the physical experience and mood they wish to create. Classes often include music.

Power

Power yoga is a style of Vinyasa yoga. It is practiced in a heated room at a pace that is rapid enough to be considered a workout. It challenges endurance, stamina, strength and will make you sweat. The sequences can be set by individual instructors or by individual studios. There is frequently a theme about building heat, pushing to the edge of your boundaries and expanding what you thought was possible. Power yoga often includes ab exercises and balance work. Like all yoga, it includes a restful time laying down at the end of class.

Yoga Wall (or rope wall)

The original rope wall was designed by BKS Iyengar. The yoga wall is a tool that is used to aid us in postures during the practice of hatha yoga. Expect to use the ropes and the wall itself to experience yoga poses in a new way. While classes may still include breathing exercises, this style has little to no flow. The focus may include alignment, strength and/or restoring spinal length. I find that many students with spinal problems like kyphosis, scoliosis and those who receive regular chiropractic care report many benefits of practicing on the yoga wall. The practice is well suited to beginners and seasoned practitioners. Classes are limited to the number of spaces available, so you may receive a bit more individualized attention.

Restorative

Restorative yoga balances a busy mind and body through rest. Restorative yoga teachers place students in restful poses that do not include standing. Expect to use bolsters (pillows), blankets, blocks and sandbags to purposefully ease your body into a state of rest and renewal. Poses are held for several minutes.

This is in now way a complete list, and I’d invite everyone to try something new. I have tried more styles of yoga with more teachers than I can count, and I have always benefited from the practice.

If you’re in the Lancaster/Berks/Lebanon PA area, feel free to contact me with questions on how to set up private individual or group sessions.

The True Yoga Path

Which is really the correct path?  What is the "real" yoga?  Yoga has become big business.  In effort to attract students, instructors and studios turn to marketing strategies that highlight what we do best.  Industries attempt to design and market products that will appeal to a specific demographic.  This may seem like good business, but does it threaten the heart of what the practice is all about?  

The word "yoga" comes from the Sanskrit root yuj, which means "to join" or "to yoke".  Could our efforts to set ourselves apart threaten the core of our practice?  Whenever we try to make hard and fast rules, it tears us apart.  Yoga is not only fancy poses, nor is it the lack of fancy poses.  Yoga is not only in heat, nor is it the lack of heat.  Yoga is not only for flexible, inflexible, male, female, gay, straight, overweight, thin, athletic, young or old.  Different practices and teachers will appeal to different people, so isn't it great that there are so many to choose from?

Although there are several different paths, they all come from the same origin.  Power yoga has it's roots in ashtanga yoga, as taught by Pattabhi Jois.  Alignment based yoga and the use of props takes inspiration from BKS Iyengar.  That's without even getting into the fusions like alignment based vinyasa.  There are many different styles, but were you aware that many came from the same lineage?  BKS Iyengar and Pattabhi Jois shared the same teacher, Master Krischnamaycharya.    

If you are a dedicated yogi or a teacher, I am sure that you are inspired by your practice, style, and teachers and want to share it with others.  Please be sure to support all yoga in your written and verbal communication.  I have only taken one Bikram class ever, but am happy to recommend a nice studio in the area if that's what you're trying to find.  I love my teachers, my studios, my students and my community, but I will not say that my training or style is any more valuable than someone else's.  

We are all on a path searching for the same thing, and the path is ever evolving.  I hope to be practicing when I'm 103.  That's 60 years from now, so while my yoga may not look, feel or sound the same, that does not make it any more or less valuable than what I am doing today.  

Don't get me wrong, I am very passionate about what I do, and would love to introduce you to my classes either on the mat or on the Yoga Wall.  I have seen many people benefit from my classes.  I have benefited from different teachings at various times in my life, so if you're looking for something else, I'll try to help you find that too.

Try various types of yoga and share ideas with several different yogis.  Make each practice your own, and I will do the same.  Above all else, find the union.  We are more alike than we are different.

Is There Room for Comparison in Yoga?

Regardless of if you're into Yin, Bikram, Vinyasa, Hatha or DDP Yoga, most instructors will tell you to make the practice your own by listening to your own body.  Most instructors will tell you to not compare yourself to the others in the room.  Each person's practice is individual, and we all have different needs, so if you need to take rest, do it.  

I am very lucky to teach and practice at 2 great yoga studios.  Both studios welcome a variety of styles, students, and abilities.  I love these people!

I got on Facebook this afternoon and read the following, "easy fix...whew!!! Just made us appreciate the heat that much more!  Continues to amaze me why non-bikram people want to debate the heat....living proof the heat is an added bonus!!!  Thanks for hanging in there this morning with me - it's fixed and ready to go!!!!  See you in the HOT room!!!!"

AHHH!!!!!  Why do some yoga instructors and studio owners feel the need to try to put others down?  Why the need to mention "non-bikram people" at all?  Why not just mention how much the heat has benefited you personally?  If you want your students to turn inward and make their practice their own, why not demonstrate that mindset when advertising your classes?  

The same goes for all of the rest of us who may be tempted to put down any other styles of yoga?  WE ARE ALL HERE FOR THE SAME REASON!  Let's share the yoga, share the love, and help everyone feel great.

I have enjoyed Bikram, Ashtanga, Yin, Iyengar, Prana, Vinyasa, Hatha, Aerial Yoga, etc.  Each class was different but helped me get back in my own body.  Please, let us support each other as an entire yoga community, and share the love.

In conclusion, no room for comparison leaves more room for love and mutual respect.  End Yoga Rant.

Namaste - Beth