Major Yoga Styles

The 6 most practiced styles of yoga

Whether you are looking for a way to unwind after a hectic day or searching for inner peace and tranquility, yoga has something for everyone. It unleashes your inner energy by connecting your mind and body, and it can dramatically change your life.

Since its manifestation approximately 5,000 years ago in India, yoga has swept up the world in its peaceful embrace. Chic yoga retreats, specialized clothing lines, fitness center programs - there's no denying it - yoga is everywhere.

Yoga is a series of asanas (poses or postures) that tone your muscles, ease your stiff joints and relax your mind. Equally important to executing proper postures is the art of breathing. In yoga terms, 'pranayama' is the science of breath control. Learning the theory behind yoga is very important before you can tackle its physical art.

The six major types of yoga include: Iyengar, Ashtanga, Hatha, Bikram, Kundalini and Vinyasa.

Iyengar yoga is a classical style. It focuses on the correct way to align your body while moving from one yoga posture to another. Beginners excel with this type of yoga because it pays close attention to basic theory.

Ashtanga yoga (also called power yoga) is an ancient discipline for achieving physical, mental and spiritual well-being. It synchronizes your breath with a series of postures. Flowing from one posture to the next places great significance on strength and stamina; while building muscle and increasing flexibility.

Bikram yoga (also called hot yoga) is performed in a hot room to maximize physical demand. A typical Bikram hot room is 38-degrees-Celsius, or hotter. Combining extreme heat with intense movement makes for a great workout.

Hatha yoga provides a feeling of calm and relaxation by using simple postures that flow into one another at a relaxing pace. Proper breathing and meditation is needed to fully benefit from this experience.

Kundalini yoga is about power and precision. This type of yoga uses chanting (mantras), meditations and visualizations to stimulate the mind, body and spirit.

Vinyasa yoga represents the union between movement and breath. It requires you to move in and out of each posture with a specific breathing pattern.

To determine the best type of yoga for you, first decide what you want to get out of it. Do you want to focus on meditation, spirituality and flexibility? Perhaps you're looking for a fresh approach to working out? Take the time to research each style before choosing one and consider consulting an instructor for advice.