There are now many types of yoga - dynamic, powerful, flowing, grounding, mobilizing. While some focus on breathing, others allow you to feel your muscles working particularly intensely. From Bikram to Kundalini to Vinyasa, we will introduce you to all the different types of yoga in this article so that you can find the right one for you. They all have one thing in common: they offer you a path to yourself, physical and mental strengthening, stress relief and many other positive effects. Get to know the different styles and find your yoga path!
Content
1. different types of yoga - variety on the mat
3. ashtanga yoga - classic and powerful
4. vinyasa yoga - dynamic flow
5. bikram yoga - sweat-inducing and detoxifying
6. kundalini yoga - unfolding your true potential
7. yin yoga - the deep yoga style
9. discover types of yoga - prepare for your practice
Different types of yoga - variety on the mat
Have you already had your first yoga experience or are you just rolling out your yoga mat for the first time? The choice of yoga type influences both the effect and the practice, as each offers its own advantages and differs - sometimes considerably - in the yoga exercises. First of all, a little basic knowledge on the subject:
Yoga is an exercise practice and philosophy that is thousands of years old. What was once closely linked to religion has now become an important sport for many people that promotes well-being.
Classical-philosophical yoga was developed by the scholar Patanjali. His goal behind the practice? Self-knowledge. His Yoga Sutra is a precise guide to yoga and serves as a fundamental basis for many training courses. From the earlier philosophy and practice was then derived what you now bring to the mat in many studios and at home: hatha yoga. This form focuses on physical postures (asanas), sometimes combined with breathing (pranayama).
Yoga is now known almost all over the world and various forms of yoga have developed. The best known are
- Vinyasa Yoga or Power Yoga
- Bikram/Hot Yoga
- Yin Yoga
- Kundalini Yoga
- Ashtanga Yoga
- Hatha Yog
Hatha Yoga - the origin
The word hatha consists of ha (sun) and tha (moon). It is therefore about opposing forces that you unite during the practice. This style is the basis of all others, as it was the first to emerge and defines the physical practice of yoga. There is no flow in this variation; instead, the individual asanas are practiced independently of each other. The focus here is on the mindful and conscious execution of the individual postures - the practice is gentler compared to Vinyasa yoga. It usually includes meditation, breathing exercises, various asanas and finally a final relaxation. This type of yoga is perfect for you if you don't yet have much experience on the mat. But even as an advanced yogi, you will find inner relaxation here.
If you want to find out more about this style, read our article on hatha yoga!
Ashtanga yoga - classic and powerful
This practice differs from other types of yoga in its structure: The founder Sri K. Patthabi Jois defined exactly six series to be practiced. A fixed sequence of asanas is therefore always practiced. The focus is on execution, strength and precision. Only when the first series has been performed to perfection does one move on to the next.
A series always consists of many different asanas. Each one is held for five seconds while the breathing follows a set rhythm. The style is perceived by most as powerful and demanding. There are many challenging asanas that can be very difficult to hold precisely. Ashtanga is therefore more suitable for advanced yogis - or for you if you like a challenge, are ambitious and enjoy the discipline of the practice.
Vinyasa Yoga - dynamic flow
Vinyasa is now one of the best-known and most popular types of yoga and is to a certain extent an advanced, more dynamic form of Ashtanga. Vinyasa or power yoga combines breathing and movement. You immerse yourself in flowing movements which, in combination with your breathing, become a flow. You don't practise individual, independent asanas, but many different ones that are linked with transitions and breathing rhythms. The aim is to build a kind of bridge between mind and body. Your breathing carries you through the exercises, allowing you to achieve a meditative state with regular practice.
This type of yoga is often available in different levels: for beginners and advanced practitioners. It is well suited to you if you are looking for a way to switch off where your thoughts can't drift away so quickly. This is because in Vinyasa, you are focused on your practice so that everyday life can fade into the background. Your mind has less room to wander, as there is always a lot going on and you are always on the move. This style is also particularly creative, allowing each practice to take on its own unique form.
Bikram yoga - sweat-inducing and detoxifying
This type of yoga, also known as hot yoga, is based on hatha yoga and is only practiced with a specific series of 26 asanas. The special feature here is the room temperature: it is heated to 40 degrees for the practice. Sweating is therefore a must and is intended to support the effects of yoga.
The heat is said to have a healing effect and allows you to stretch more deeply as your body and muscles are warm. Many practitioners find sweating to be detoxifying, but it takes some getting used to at first.
As it always involves the same sequences, you can quickly see and feel progress in your practice. However, you may also quickly become bored with the repetitive sequences. In principle, beginners can also find fulfillment in Bikram yoga. The important thing here is not to underestimate the strain on your cardiovascular system. If you have problems with your blood pressure, for example, you should stay away from this sweat-inducing type of yoga.
Kundalini Yoga - unfold your true potential
The term kundalini translates as 'serpent power'. And it is precisely this power that resides in your root chakra. This yoga practice is designed to prepare you for awakening this power by cleansing and strengthening energy pathways and channels. To achieve this, elements from various practices are combined here: breathing exercises, bandhas, mudras and meditation techniques.
A session always consists of a fixed series of breathing exercises and postures, a meditation and mantras. Different topics such as stress reduction, inner peace or anxiety are addressed. The individual asanas are less well-known in other styles and are sometimes held for much longer. What sounds relaxed at first can be very intense due to the longer holding time. You don't need a lot of previous experience for this type of yoga; it is much more important that you open yourself up to the modern way of spirituality - because only then can you find fulfillment here.
Yin Yoga - the in-depth type of yoga
This form differs from many other types of yoga as it is mainly practiced sitting and lying down. The asanas, which originate from the Hatha style, are held for long periods of time.
This is intended to promote the flow of Qi or Chi within the energy channels of the body, similar to how they are understood in traditional Chinese medicine. The aim is to immerse yourself deeply in your own inner life and become aware of it.
By holding the asanas for a long time, you can sink deep into them and improve your flexibility. In order for this to work optimally, aids such as blocks, meditation cushions, straps, blocks or blankets are often used. The focus here is on energetic work and conscious awareness.
In Yin Yoga you endure - the asanas and also the emotions that arise as a result. This style is mentally challenging and is designed to help you develop mental stability and strengthen your emotional balance. If you are looking for dynamism and physical challenges, this style is not right for you. However, if you want to release blockages and tension and are looking for a deep practice that will lead you to inner peace, it's time to roll out your mat.
By the way: If you want to intensify the deep poses, you can do them on your acupressure mat. This can deepen asanas with a focus on the shoulder and neck area and help you to release tension in these areas. This way, you not only benefit from yoga, but can also incorporate acupressure into your practice.
Which yoga suits me?
There are many styles of yoga - some are largely based on ancient philosophy and tradition, while others are popular for their modern twists and spirituality. All types of yoga bring their own benefits and unique effects. Which type is right for you depends entirely on your individual needs:
- If you want to be active and move a lot, dynamic, powerful styles such as Vinyasa or Ashtanga are suitable for you. Because then you won't be satisfied with the intensive meditations in Yin Yoga.
- If you are looking for types of yoga that offer relaxation and spirituality as well as a deep look inside yourself, you should focus on Yin Yoga or Kundalini Yoga.
- Or you can simply try them all out. Because sometimes it's exactly what you don't know that is the challenge or something that is particularly good for you. So if you find it hard to relax, a regular yin practice might be your gateway to more inner peace. And if you have been less active so far, power yoga could perhaps be your way to more energy.
Just try it out and experience the powerful effects of yoga!
Discover types of yoga - prepare for your practice
Would you like to get to grips with the different types of yoga and find your way into your regular practice? Then you've already taken the first step with this motivation. And many types of yoga offer you one particular advantage: you can practise them in many different places. Maybe there's a yoga studio near you, or you've found a few classes online that you like.
It is important that you have the right equipment for your regular practice of each type of yoga so that you can fully engage with the exercises:
In addition to comfortable clothing that you can move well in, a high-quality yoga mat is an absolute must. If you've ever tried to hold Downward Dog on a slippery mat, you'll know what we're talking about. The powerful asanas in particular simply require support. And your mat should give you that - even if your hands are sweaty. At Shakti Mat, we have therefore developed a yoga mat that meets all the requirements for a dynamic yet calm practice. It is your place to feel good, to grow and develop beyond yourself.
Our meditation cushion is an excellent support for relaxation and meditation. It allows you to sit comfortably - with integrated acupressure points. If you have had no previous experience of meditation, an eye cushion can help you to relax.
So - roll out your mat, find your yoga style and embark on your very special, individual yoga path!