Hatha and Vinyasa and Iyengar, oh my!

There are many types of yoga, so what are they and which should you do?

I used to think there were only two types of yoga — hot yoga and regular yoga — but I’ve come to find out there are more than 10 types!

If you’re a beginner, the types Hatha, Vinyasa, and Iyengar are best when just starting out, according to Verywell Fit.

Hatha yoga “has come to mean a slow-paced and gentle way of practicing,” says Ann Pizer, yoga instructor. “Hatha classes are often a good place to begin a yoga practice because they provide an introduction to the basic yoga poses in a low-key setting.”

Vinyasa yoga is a step above Hatha. “Like hatha, vinyasa is a general term used to describe many different types of classes,” she says. “Vinyasa tends to be a more vigorous style of yoga incorporating a series of poses called sun salutations, in which each movement is matched to the breath.”

Iyengar “is a form of yoga heavily focused on proper alignment,” Pizer claims. “This is great for people who have injuries or who want to spend extra time getting each pose exactly right. You can expect a lot of instruction, which is great for beginners.”

These are only three types of yoga. Other types include Kundalini, Ashtanga, Bikram, Yin, restorative, prenatal, power, Anusara, Jivamukti, and more.

Enough about the types of yoga — let’s go over the benefits of yoga.

Yoga is a way you can get physical activity. And, as we all know by now, exercise is good for you. It keeps us healthy.

DoYogaWithMe says that by practicing yoga regularly you can:

• Increase your flexibility
• Increase muscle tone and strength
• Improve your circulatory and cardio health
• Sleep better
• Increase your energy levels
• Improve athletic performance
• Reduce injuries
• Detoxify your organs
• Improve your posture
• Reduce anxiety and depression
• Lessen chronic pain
• Release endorphins that improve your mood and much more…

You don’t necessarily have to sign up for a formal class to get started either. There are online videos you can watch through a number of platforms in order to learn and improve your yoga skills.

So time to pick your mantra and find inner peace!