If you're new to yoga, you may find yourself staring mystified at the schedule for your local gym or studio and trying to make sense of names like 'iyengar' and 'vinyasa.' Wondering which class is best for you? Let me break it down for you and point you in the right direction! There truly is a style of yoga for every body!
Restorative The focus here is relaxation. If you're looking to de-stress, or you're just simply not up for a fast-paced yoga class, this is the place for you. Blankets and bolsters do the work for you while you melt into your poses for anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes.
Hatha This class blends many forms of yoga and allows students to alleviate stress and tension while holding their poses and finding time to explore them.
Anusara While these classes also focus on alignment and use of props, they integrate more personal creativity and lightheartedness into the practice. Students are encouraged to express themselves and have fun. There is an emphasis on opening your heart throughout this practice which is great for relieving depression.
Iyengar This is a class focused on alignment. Props such as blankets, blocks and straps are utilized to help students move perfectly into poses. This is a great place to start if you're interested in learning the rudiments of poses.
Bikram This style entails a series of 26 poses done in a highly heated room. It's a great style for sweating and grounding (it helps to move inward during practice so you don't think about the heat), so long as you can stand hot temperatures.
Vinyasa This class is focused on connecting movement and breath. You'll move through poses on inhalations and exhalations, and these classes tend to be a quick pace. It's ideal for people who crave a more challenging yoga class and enjoy the creativity and movement within a flow.
My personal faves for:
anxiety relief- restorative, hatha and vinyasa (yes vinyasa moves faster, but I find that the faster pace helps keep my mind present with the movements and I love the importance on the breath)
depression relief - anusara
releasing energy (that could build into anxiety)- vinyasa
people nervous to try yoga- restorative, hatha and iyengar
Now that you feel more empowered to find the right class for you, grab your towel and mat and hit the studio! enjoy yoga-ing!
xo b
Restorative The focus here is relaxation. If you're looking to de-stress, or you're just simply not up for a fast-paced yoga class, this is the place for you. Blankets and bolsters do the work for you while you melt into your poses for anywhere from 3 to 10 minutes.
Hatha This class blends many forms of yoga and allows students to alleviate stress and tension while holding their poses and finding time to explore them.
Anusara While these classes also focus on alignment and use of props, they integrate more personal creativity and lightheartedness into the practice. Students are encouraged to express themselves and have fun. There is an emphasis on opening your heart throughout this practice which is great for relieving depression.
Iyengar This is a class focused on alignment. Props such as blankets, blocks and straps are utilized to help students move perfectly into poses. This is a great place to start if you're interested in learning the rudiments of poses.
Bikram This style entails a series of 26 poses done in a highly heated room. It's a great style for sweating and grounding (it helps to move inward during practice so you don't think about the heat), so long as you can stand hot temperatures.
Vinyasa This class is focused on connecting movement and breath. You'll move through poses on inhalations and exhalations, and these classes tend to be a quick pace. It's ideal for people who crave a more challenging yoga class and enjoy the creativity and movement within a flow.
My personal faves for:
anxiety relief- restorative, hatha and vinyasa (yes vinyasa moves faster, but I find that the faster pace helps keep my mind present with the movements and I love the importance on the breath)
depression relief - anusara
releasing energy (that could build into anxiety)- vinyasa
people nervous to try yoga- restorative, hatha and iyengar
Now that you feel more empowered to find the right class for you, grab your towel and mat and hit the studio! enjoy yoga-ing!
xo b
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