Types of Yoga

Yoga is a systematic series of postures and breathing exercises, which practiced in turn relax the body and energize the mind to bring a sense of well being. Practicing yoga brings with it a whole range of physical and mental health benefits. There are lots of different forms of yoga, some focus more on aerobic exercise, others are more meditative.

We'll take a look here at 5 of the main yoga forms and how they benefit those who practice them.

Ashtanga YogaBikram (hot) Yoga

Named after the yoga guru Bikram Choudhury, Bikram is also known as Hot Yoga. It gets its name because the room is heated to 41 degrees C (105 degrees F). You perform 26 Hatha Yoga poses and two breathing exercises in sequence. The extreme heat and strenuous exercise make it especially good for detox and weight loss.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is perhaps the most well known of all the yoga forms. It's a good place to start if you're new to the discipline because the pace is gentle. Hatha is a wide term encompassing the basic yoga poses. Excellent for toning your body and relaxing your mind

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga was brought to the western masses in the 1960s and is the most commonly practiced Yoga discipline in the world. It takes its name from Yogacharya Sri B.K.S Iyengar, who is still practicing in his 90s. This methodical form is ideal for beginners and uses props such as blocks where necessary to help you maintain your postures. Good for building body strength.

Ashtanga YogaAshtanga Yoga

Faster paced and more gymnastic, with Ashtanga Yoga you're constantly on the move. Each posture and breathing exercise is pieced together in a fluid movement, so it's one of the more strenuous forms. The postures create an intense heat through the body. If you're looking for a cardio-vascular workout, this is a good aerobic exercise.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga focusses drawing energy up from the base of the spine. It is a calm, peaceful discipline that involves meditation and chanting as well as postures. Its focus is on the calming of the mind. This is a good option for quieting a busy mind.