It’s likely that you haven’t tried every style if you’re seeking to diversify your Basics Yoga practice or are still looking for the one that’s best for you.

The following list of well-liked Basics Yoga styles includes relaxation-based exercises, flow-style basics Yoga, and sessions that follow a set curriculum.

Hatha Yoga: A Combination of Breath and Movement

Within the realm of Hatha Yoga, which carries the soft whisper of “HAH-tah” on the lips, lies a treasure trove of traditional Basics Yoga styles that have found a cherished place in the hearts of practitioners across the United States. Vinyasa, ashtanga, and power Basics yoga dance together in this magical symphony of the self. But Hatha yoga goes beyond the physical aspects; it’s an exploration of the soul, a timeless voyage connecting us to ancient practices of balance and well-being.

Tracing its roots back to the ninth century, the tale of Hatha Yoga is a saga of uniting mind and body, where each breath becomes a brushstroke on the canvas of existence. As you step into this sacred space of yoga, it embraces you with tender care, unraveling the knots of stress, and infusing your being with a serenity that only comes from within.

However, aside from the emphasis on breathing and physical positions, lessons can differ greatly from studio to studio and depending on the instructor. According to Jen Fleming, yoga teacher manager and lead training at Yoga Works in Atlanta, hatha sessions do not by definition follow a flow, unlike other more specialized forms of hatha. The largest nonprofit Yoga association in the world that accredits teachers and institutions, Basics Yoga Alliance, has certified Fleming.

She notes that a hatha class will probably move more slowly than a vinyasa-style class and will include breaks between postures. A hatha yoga session frequently incorporates additional Basics Yoga techniques, such as pranayama (breath control) and meditation.

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Ashtanga Yoga: It’s Characterized by the Same Series of Poses

It is acknowledged that K. Pattabhi Jois is the creator of the kind of yoga known as ashtanga, also known as ashtanga vinyasa Ashtanga Yoga (since it is a sort of vinyasa yoga).Ashtanga, which means “eight-limbed union” in Sanskrit, is the name of the yoga style that emphasizes posture, concentration, breath control, moral restraint, self-restraint, meditation, sensory inhibition, and ecstasy.

Ashtanga Ashtanga Yoga follows a set sequence of postures, unlike other forms of vinyasa or hatha yoga, which vary slightly from class to class, according to Fleming.

One of two ashtanga Ashtanga Yoga classes is typically offered:

  • Taught Classes The majority of novices would do better in a guided class, where a teacher walks you through the poses as everyone else breathes and moves as one.
  • Mysore Schools According to Fleming, the Mysore approach is more self-guided; it is typically performed in the early morning, and people perform the pattern from memory. She claims that although there is a teacher present, the students are doing the sequence on their own. In ashtanga, there are a total of six distinct series, beginning with the core series. According to Fleming, memorizing each in the series can take weeks or months. According to Fleming, the Mysore method gives the student a new stance when they feel they are ready. It’s important to keep in mind that, if you adopt the Mysore method, you would probably continue to receive instruction from the same teacher rather than hopping in and out of different sessions, according to Fleming.

Kundalini Yoga: It’s About Self-Awareness

According to the Kundalini Research Institute, Yogi Bhajan introduced the specific school of Kundalini Yoga known as Kundalini yoga to the United States in the late 1960s. Like other forms of Kundalini Yoga, kundalini Yoga combines physical positions, breathing exercises, and meditation, but the goal is to reach your greatest state of consciousness and become self-aware.

According to Fleming, in kundalini Yoga, you perform a specific exercise while chanting or repeating a mantra for a predetermined amount of time, either aloud or silently. This particular form of Kundalini Yoga is certified by the Kundalini Research Institute.

Yin Yoga: Think Stretching

In general, you’re not flowing at all, according to Fleming, who notes that there are a few distinct teaching methods for yin. In yin Yoga, she explains, you usually remain seated or propped up while lying on your back or belly. According to the Kripalu Center for Yin Yoga and Health, each pose is held for a predetermined length of time, typically three to five minutes. When practicing other types of yoga, you don’t hold positions for as long, according to Fleming. This type of yoga is designed to be more passive stretching.

According to Fleming, stretching has a distinct impact on your muscles, joints, and ligaments when it’s triggered in this more static method as opposed to the more active stretching in a vinyasa type class. He also notes that this kind of Yin Yoga can be beneficial for your joints. Yin Yoga is advised by the Arthritis Foundation as a mild and less demanding method to enhance joint function.

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Yoga Nidra: It’s Relaxation for the Body and Mind

It’s possible to think of yoga nidra as “yogic sleep,” according to Fleming. As the teacher guides them through a guided meditation regarding their body, she explains, “a student would typically lie on their back.” Yoga nidra comes in numerous forms, but they all emphasize relaxation.

There are various approaches, but Fleming suggests going through each and every part of your body, literally from your individual toes to your brain. It takes 20 to 30 minutes, and the goal is to deeply relax both the body and the mind.

Fleming draws attention to the growing acceptance of Yoga Nidra as well as other calming yoga techniques like yin yoga and restorative Basics yoga. People have a unique opportunity to discover peace and escape the stress of their hectic life by practicing these gentle types of yoga. Even though vinyasa yoga has its own benefits, integrating just one of these slower-paced yoga sessions each week can have a significant impact on one’s general wellbeing and stress management. Keep in mind that finding calm in the middle of life’s tumultuous rhythm only requires a little attentiveness.

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