The different types of yoga and their benefits

The different yoga styles and their benefits

The different types of yoga and their benefits 

Through the years, I have tried many yoga styles and I can definitely say that they are all very unique and each of them brings distinct benefits.  And I confirm: yoga is for everyone 🙂 Yes, for sure, at  the end of each yoga class, you should (and hopefully you will) find inner peace, a quiet mind along with a fully stretched body. Nevertheless, what is happening during the class is very different in terms of flow of sequences. Below are the different types of yoga that I have been practicing the most for the past 8 years :

• Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga : Developed by K.Pattabhi Jois in the mid 1900’s, this yoga style is one of the most popular and is also most often practiced by men. Indeed, the practice of Ashtanga is quite challenging on a physical level as you have to follow a series of Asana which become increasingly difficult and required strength. However, the series remains the same. So if you practice Ashtanga 6 times a week, you will do the same sequence 6 times, starting with the primary series. What I like about Ashtanga is once you learn the sequence, you can practice on your own and really notice your progression through the different postures. I also like that there is an emphasis on breathing as you are holding the postures for 5 to 15 breaths, depending on the asanas. Even though it is the same sequence, each practice is different as you feel your body slowly opening and getting deeper into postures in new ways. 
• Vinyasa Flow Yoga :  Another very popular yoga style which is usually taught with music. By definition,  nyasa means “ to place” and vi means “ in a special way” . Therefore, this yoga emphasizes on the  movement of our body along with our breath.  Some people describe  it as an expression of how we think and feel. Some Vinyasa Flow classes have special topics such as working on a specific body part or even working on some chakras. The flow of movement would then be more catered toward that specific topic. I like this yoga style as it allows you to creatively explore the different motions of your body.
• Hatha Yoga : Hatha yoga is nowadays used as such a broad term that it is a bit hard to know what a Hatha yoga class will be like when you sign up for it. Generally (and as it should be), Hatha yoga is a very slow paced and gentle yoga where postures are held for a couple of breaths. I recommend this yoga style to all my friends who are new to yoga as it is easy to follow. There is also an emphasis on the breath through some pranayamas exercises which I find so important in every yoga practices. 
• Bikram Yoga : Also aptly called hot yoga, if you haven’t tried it, be ready to sweat a lot! You will basically go through the same sequence of 26 postures during 90 minutes in a room heated to 100 degrees Fahrenheit (around 40 degrees Celcius) and with a humidity of  40 % (!). Saying that, it is one of the best ways to remove the toxins from your body and you will gain a lot of flexibility after only few classes. Personally, I am not a big fan of it however I have friends who only go to Bikram yoga and love it! This yoga style became even more popular after its founder Bikram Choudhury was infamously accused of sexual assault in 2017.
• Power Yoga : If you are looking for a full workout more than anything else, this yoga style is for you. Similar to Ashtanga, its demanding postures are held for long pauses ( up to 10 to 12 breaths). It is always varied as each teacher can set their own asanas sequences. 
• Jivamukti Yoga : I started to practice Jivamukti only recently and I love it! This yoga style was created in 1984 and is a bit similar to a Vinyasa class with some Ashtanga twist added to it. You move constantly and the teacher usually incorporates chanting, meditation, readings, and views of how to live in the the world,  extending the practice of non-violence (ahimsa), kindness (maitri) and compassion (karuna). The name comes from the Sanskrit Jivamukta which means “liberated whilst living”.