GO WITH THE FLOW

WHETHER YOU HAVE A REGULAR PRACTICE OR YOU’RE JUST TRYING IT OUT, WE TAKE A LOOK AT THE SIX MOST POPULAR TYPES OF YOGA AROUND

Got on your yoga mat lately? Need a bit more motivation to make it into a regular practice?

We all know that making the time to attend your favourite yoga class a few times a week feels really good. But with the huge increase in the popularity of yoga in the West, there are now so many different methods and yoga styles.

In fact, yoga is now so popular that many elements of yogic culture have morphed into everyday life – think yoga tights as streetwear.

Yet with all the fashionable terms comes a whole lot of confusion that sometimes skews the perception of what yoga truly is.

First, understand that no matter what, yoga is for everyone.

Anybody who has a body can practise it. Whether you are injured, anxious, depressed or enjoying good health, regular yoga practice will deliver benefits.

The cool thing about yoga is that no gym pass is required. All you need is your body, a mat, a clean, quiet space, a firm will, a decent amount of patience and a little bit of knowledge.

That’s why attending a regular class with a teacher you love is beneficial. It helps you to keep up with your practice and to gain knowledge.

So to cut through the jargon and help you find the Äsana style that’s good for you, we break down the need-to-know of the six types of yoga that are most popular right now. Choose one or branch out and try them all!

1 Iyengar yoga

This type of yoga is one of the most widely practiced methods today.

It is a form of classical hatha yoga that focuses on precision, alignment, and the use of appropriate support to achieve extension. Developed by founder BKS Iyengar in Pune, India, his full teachings are shared in his 1966 book, Light On Yoga.

The method pays close attention to the anatomical positions and the alignment of each Äsana, taking a foundational approach to building strength, flexibility, stability and awareness.