New to yoga? Finding it a bit confusing to decide what type of yoga class is best for you? Here, we explain what you should know or do to help choose the right type of yoga for you. Let’s get started!
Step 1: Ask why you practice
To begin with, ask yourself the top reasons for taking up yoga, a total mind-body experience with both physical and mental benefits. Why do yoga? Just want to become stronger and flexible, or just because everyone is doing it? Here are some common reasons that people do yoga to get started.
- Relieve stress or pain
- Get flexible
- Prevent injuries
- Calm your mind
- Improve posture & balance the body
- Improve concentration
Knowing what your motivations/aims is essential when it comes to choosing the right type of yoga for you.
Step 2: Explore the types of yoga
There are many various styles of yoga and all of them can help balance your body, mind, and spirit, but they achieve it in different ways. Some are intense and vigorous, others are relaxing and meditative. Choose a type that fits your intentions. Let’s learn about different major styles of yoga:
- Hatha: Holding poses linked with breathing exercises incorporated.
- Lyengar: Focusing on alignment and precise movements.
- Vinyasa: Coordinating with breath and movement to flow from one pose to another.
- Restorative: Focusing on relaxing body and mind.
- Bikram: A sequence of set poses in a sauna-like room.
- Yin: A slow-paced style of yoga with postures that are held for longer periods of time.
Step 3: Try out a beginner class
Already made up your mind on the types of yoga? Next, look online or check with your nearby gyms, yoga studios to find out where you can take a class. The thing is it is hard to know what type of yoga is best for you until you really try it. If you are too nervous to go to a yoga studio, you don’t have to leave your house to get started. Just go online and take a yoga class at home. Pay attention to how your body feels during and after a session. Listen to your body and you’ll know if it’s the right style for you. It’s also a good idea to try a few different teachers before making a judgment or decision.
