Yoga Styles: Our perfect guide from Ashtanga, Bikram, Hatha to Vinayasa
New to yoga? Love to find out more about the differences between the different styles of yoga? We break down the most popular yoga styles with our own yoga style map for you to find the perfect yoga styles. If you would like us to include additional styles, or would like to help contribute for the greater yoga community, please get in touch. 🙏
ASHTANGA YOGA
One of the most popular styles founded by Pattabhi Jois in 1930s, Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and concisely-sequenced form of yoga that incorporates breath work, strong focus (gaze), postures and grace. It puts emphasis on self-discipline, and remains a preferred practice for those who love strong practices and self-challenges. Prominent yogis include David Swenson, John Scott, Laruga Glaser and Kino MacGregor.
BIKRAM YOGA
Notably the most popular and controversial form of yoga, Bikram yoga is a fixed sequence of 26 yoga postures and 2 breathing exercises performed in a heated environment. The heat makes the practice extra challenging, and is great for those who love a strong 'workout'. Bikram yoga arguably contradicts the values and teaching of many 'traditional' forms of yoga, such as its aggressive commercial model and the negative image of its founder Bikram Choudhury. But we are firm believer that you have to try it (and other forms) to find what's best for you.
JIVAMUKTI YOGA
Spiritual, musical and psychically-challenging, Jivamukti yoga is a style that we love here at Lots of Yoga. We love that most classes share beautiful stories about life and loss, and that the amount of flow and hard work is perfectly balanced with a long and delicious finishing sequence, with ample time for meditation.
DHARMA YOGA
Dharma yoga has gained popularity in recent years but what differentiates it from other types of yoga? Founded by the lovely Sri Dharma Mittra (pictured) in 1975, his yoga center (the Dharma Yoga New York Center) is based in New York, where he resies. Unlike other forms of yoga, this guru is alive and kicking and lives in our civilisation. At 76 he still teaches up to 3 classes a day and is an inspiration to many. Here are 12 things you need to know about Dharma yoga.
HOT YOGA
One of the most popular forms of modern yoga, hot yoga is practised in a heated room. Some of the more popular forms of hot yoga includes Bikram yoga, Hot Vinyasa Flow Yoga and Forrest Yoga. It is great for beginners and those who seek more of an immediate physical challenge.
INTEGRATED YOGA
Integrated Yoga and Mindfulness (IYM) is an approach to yoga and movement in general that means you work with your mind as much as your body. Using the framework of Ashtanga as a basis for exploration, a key principle of IYM is the cultivation of "effortless effort". IYM's process of learning is to "softly listen" is very dynamic yet non-aggressive and requires implicit compassion as part of the physical practice. We take an in-depth look at how this style of yoga blends yoga with mindfulness.
PREGNANCY YOGA
Just found out you are expecting (or are even further along in your pregnancy)? Congratulations! We compiled the best on pregnancy yoga: from which poses to do and which to avoid, how pregnancy yoga can help you throughout the process, and to continue practising yoga safely, we interviewed the best teachers in the field to answer all of your burning questions.
DDP YOGA
Unconventional? Check. Raw? Check. Sweat-inducing? Check! If you want something yoga-based which is a little more dynamic, then DDP Yoga is the right kind of exercise for you. Created by ex pro-wrestler Diamond Dallas Page as a result of a back injury, dynamic resistance is the name of the game for DDP Yoga which promises fast improvements and results for avid practitioners.
RESTORATIVE YOGA
Restorative Yoga is one of the best yoga styles to rejuvenate and relax the mind as well as to lengthen and strengthen the body. It is a gentle practice that heals, replenishes and harnesses inner calmness, often including guided meditations, and visualisations which can further support relaxation. We take an in-depth look at how Restorative Yoga can help you de-stress and rejuvenate.
AERIAL YOGA
People are loving the newest yoga craze, Aerial Yoga. We set out to find out what exactly it is, why it's become so popular, what it's benefits are, and how to do it, at home or with a teacher. If you love yoga and being upside-down, then this is the perfect thing for you. Here is everything you need to know about Aerial Yoga.
