Over 36 million Americans practice yoga regularly. If you want to increase your flexibility and decrease stress, yoga can help.
There are many different types of yoga classes. No matter your goal, there’s a practice you can do to achieve it.
Keep reading to find three of the most popular types of yoga practices to try today.
Iyengar
An Iyengar class primarily focuses on finding the right alignment in every posture. It’s a therapeutic style of yoga that’s great for students hoping to learn the “right” way to do each pose.
It’s not unusual to use props like chairs, benches, and bolsters in class.
Benefits
Iyengar yoga challenges your entire body without high impact movements or fast flows. You’ll be engaging every muscle and boosting your flexibility with every posture.
Who Might Like It
Iyengar is a great practice for beginner yogis. It’s much less intense than other types of yoga. Since it focuses more on static postures over flow sequences, it’s excellent for older adults, too.
Movements to Expect
Expect poses like mountain and triangle. You’ll be holding these postures for longer than you may be used to in other classes.
Vinyasa
Vinyasa yoga, also known as “flow yoga,” pairs your breath with postures in a rhythmic flow. Each class will be different as you move through several different sequences. You’ll move with your breath through every pose, so come ready to listen and breathe.
Vinyasa classes often feel very graceful and are beautiful in their own way. The flows are a great way to lose yourself in your practice.
Benefits
Vinyasa yoga can be a heart-pumping workout. You’ll find improvements in endurance and strength, as well as stability and balance.
Who Might Like It
Despite its faster pace, vinyasa yoga can be great for all levels. Some teachers offer slow flow vinyasa classes, which are a great place to start.
Movements to Expect
Expect plenty of planks, downward-facing dogs, and chaturanga dandasana.
Aerial
Aerial yoga is one of the most unique types of yoga you can try. It’s a rather new style considering that the oldest form of yoga came about 10,000 years ago. This practice involves using a silky yoga hammock suspended from the ceiling.
The silk provides support and gives students the chance to perform inverted poses. Savasana in your own hammock cocoon is unlike anything else.
Benefits
Taking your yoga class to new heights allows for therapeutic spinal decompression. It can also improve your flexibility and challenge your core strength.
Who Might Like It
Aerial yoga is perfect for playful yogis who want to bring more fun into their practice. Those with back issues will benefit from these classes as they can safely explore inversions.
Movements to Expect
Expect a lot of inversions. Class sizes are small, so the teacher can provide assistance where needed.
Try the Most Popular Types of Yoga Classes Today
Choose one of the three above most popular types of yoga classes to start with. Allow yourself to practice without judgment. No one is perfect, not even the most seasoned yogis.
Check out our Healthy Lifestyle section for more tips on becoming a healthier version of you.
