What Yoga Class Should I Start With?

Yoga is gaining popularity in the western world, which raises the question to those who want to begin practicing… What yoga class should I start with?

Iyengar yoga is a really good style for beginners because it uses props, such as blocks and a belt, as aids in the different postures. It is extremely structured and focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body through development of postures (asanas).

Every style is based on asanas but each has a different emphasis. Below is a summary of popular yoga styles.

Iyengar
The focus of Iyengar yoga is on body alignment. Props such as blocks and straps allow beginners to flow in asanas more easily. As oppose to moving quickly from pose to pose, Iyengar focuses on holding poses over long periods.

Hatha
Hatha is a general term that embodies all forms of yoga. Courses defined as Hatha Yoga are generally slower and more gentle, making it another great course for beginners.

Vinyasa
A term that means breath-synchronized movement, Vinyasa is based on a series of poses called Sun Salutations. The focus is on the breath during the salutations, connecting it with the muscles that are being challenged and stretched.

Kundalini
One of the purposes of Kundalini yoga is to free energy in the lower body by moving it up. Kundalini uses fast, repetitive movements and the breath to move deeper into each pose.

Bikram
Bikram yoga is practiced in a heated room (95-100 degrees), which allows for every muscle to relax and deepen into the series of 26 poses. With the room hot and humid, sweat pours from every pore, cleansing the body of impurities.

Ashtanga
For the more experienced yoga student, Ashtanga is a series of fast-paced poses that are always practiced in the same order. It is a demanding practice, sometimes referred to as Power Yoga, with non-stop flow from pose to pose.

Tantra
Perhaps the most misunderstood yoga style, Tantra is not about sexual indulgence. Rather, it deals with discovering and stimulating sensual spirituality. It works with the highly charged kundalini energy and therefore should always be guided by a teacher.

Prenatal
Following a more gentle series of poses, Prenatal yoga is for expecting mothers. The classes focus on breathing exercises and asanas that minimize discomforts of pregnancy and prepare the body for an easy birth.