Popular Types of Yoga: Which is Right For You?
Almost any practitioner of yoga will tell you that their practice is the best, but if you’re looking to get started with yoga for the first time, you might feel overwhelmed by the different practices and methods. Some people swear by hot yoga, claiming that the sweating makes them shed pounds and detoxify their bodies. Others lean towards a more spiritual practice, like Kundalini yoga, that balances the mind and the body. Here’s a look at some of the more popular yogic practices so that you can find the right kind for you!
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is a practice that combines exercising the body, breath, and mind. In the West, Hatha yoga is mostly focused on poses, though some Hatha classes will incorporate meditation, depending on the studio. Hatha Yoga is a good choice for you if you prefer a slower practice that can help joint pain and relieve stress. It may not be right for you if you prefer a practice that is more physically strenuous or high-impact.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a style of yoga that most people are probably familiar with. It is comprised of energetic poses connected with flowing movements that are linked with the breath. Ashtanga yoga also sometimes includes mantras at the opening and closing of the practice. Ashtanga yoga is a good fit for you if you like a high-energy class and want to create a larger sense of awareness of your body and breath, but may not be a good fit if you’re looking for a lower-impact practice.
Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini Yoga is a much more spiritual practice that combines movements, poses, breath, meditation, and mantras in order to awaken the kundalini energy. Kundalini yoga is often high-energy and includes teachings as part of the class. Kundalini classes are often paired with meditation sessions including live gong meditations. It is a relatively low-impact form of yoga that is suitable for all ages. You might give Kundalini Yoga a try if you enjoy blending spiritual practice with your exercise, or if you’re looking for a fun, high-energy practice. It may not be a good fit if you don’t prefer spirituality in your exercise.
Now that you know of 3 different types of yoga, you can make a decision on what type best fits your lifestyle! You can experience many different types of yoga at OM FEST, Las Vegas’ largest Yoga and Meditation Festival, held on May 9th 2020 on the lawn at Downtown Summerlin! Teachers from many different studios and traditions come together on the stages at OM FEST to teach, giving you a taste of many styles of yoga all in one day!
