5 Most Popular Types Of Yoga Classes You’ll Encounter At Studios
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- 5 min read -
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Whilst yoga has its roots in ancient traditions filled with vast, detailed knowledge dating back more than 5,000 years. For the sake of this article, we’re keeping things simple and straightforward.
Over time different types of (physical) yoga practices have been adopted to fit the modern world contributing to its sustained popularity.
The benefits of yoga are plentiful. From increased strength and flexibility to reduced stress and anxiety, there is something for everyone.
Yoga combines movement, mindfulness, and breathing in various forms. We’ve focused on 5 types of yoga classes that are widely available at studios to help you kickstart your yoga journey and find classes that best suit your lifestyle.
STRONGER CLASSES
1/ Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is a practice where poses are linked together with the breath in a flowing sequence.
Classes are usually dynamic, focusing on strengthening postures, mobility and flexibility. It is important to move safely and with awareness between the transitions of postures.
The steady cycle of inhales and exhales creates calmness and focus. The continual flow of movements provides a cardiovascular benefit, creating internal heat in the body and thus increasing strength and flexibility.
Suggested IKIGAI Teachers: Cam Kui, Tryphena Chia, Arvind Singh
2/ Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga Yoga is a physically demanding, dynamic and athletic practice that is also a form of Vinyasa yoga, but follows a specifically designed set sequence.
It derives from Sri T. Krishnamacharya who then taught it to his student Sri K. Pattabhi Jois in the 1900s.
The Ashtanga Yoga system is made up of six “series” (Primary, Intermediate and four Advanced series) which students gradually progress through over time. The Primary series aims to detoxify and realign the body. The Intermediate series cleanses the nervous system and opens the energy channels in the body. The four Advanced series continues to detoxify and refine the body whilst developing greater mental focus and humility.
Central to the practice is to keep the attention on the breath. In the Ashtanga tradition, a daily posture practice is necessary to make the body strong and healthy which can then allow the mind to be steady and controlled.
Suggested IKIGAI Teachers: Agnes Chan, Faris Chan
MODERATE CLASSES
3/ Hatha Yoga
In a Hatha yoga class, poses are held statically for a several breaths and practised at a slower pace compared to a Vinyasa or Ashtanga class.
It is a great for beginners looking for well-rounded, balanced practice. Hatha Yoga classes may sometimes include breathing techniques and meditation as well.
Hatha yoga releases tension and trauma stored in the body, creating space and balance in the body and mind furthering the opportunity for spiritual growth.
Suggested IKIGAI Teachers: Bhakti Wong, Amelie Rondole
GENTLE CLASSES
4/ Yin Yoga
Yin yoga is a quiet and contemplative practice. In a Yin yoga class poses are held for longer periods of time in a passive manner. Up to five minutes or sometimes longer!
It mainly focuses on the lower part of the body - hips, pelvis, inner thighs, lower spine. The reason for this is that these areas target the deepest connective tissues in the body – ligaments, joints, bones, fascia networks, and meridians. (The opposite is true for a practice such as Vinyasa yoga which specifically targets the muscles).
Connective tissue responds best to a slow, steady load. If you gently stretch connective tissue by holding a yin pose for a long time, the body will respond by making them a little longer and stronger.
The aim of the practice is to slow down, fully relaxing into the postures in order to release stress and tension both physically and mentally. Yin yoga offers wonderful emotional and mental health benefits, provides circulation to internal organs, reduces stress and anxiety, encourages deeper relaxation and better sleep quality and improves joint mobility.
Yin yoga has been practiced for centuries in China. Taoist priests taught this knowledge, along with breathing techniques, to Kung Fu practitioners around 2000 years ago.
Suggested IKIGAI Teachers: Gianni Melwani, Loretta Lee
5 / Restorative Yoga
Restorative yoga enables deep relaxation as you hold poses for longer periods of time with the help of props to completely support you so minimal effort is needed. Each pose can be held for up to 20 minutes, meaning very few poses might be done during a class. However, the time spent being guided by a teacher and relaxing in the poses can have profound effects.
The main focus of Restorative Yoga is that by relaxing in poses, with the aid of props, without strain or pain, we can achieve physical, mental and emotional relaxation.
Restorative yoga helps combat the physical and mental effects of everyday stress and eases common ailments such as headaches, backaches, anxiety, and insomnia with the use of restful poses and deep breathing techniques.
Suggested IKIGAI Teachers: Loretta Teo
Final Note:
It is important to note that the physical aspect of yoga is not the sole aim of the overall practice. Any good practitioner of yoga uses the physical posture practice wisely as a means to prepare the body and mind for meditation.
If you are keen to get started on your yoga journey, IKIGAI has a team of passionate and authentic teachers that can help you with any area of your practice.
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