Which style of yoga is right for me?

Which style of yoga is right for me?

By Mel Bentinck (Yoga Teacher)

Are you keen to start your yoga journey but unsure of which style to choose from? It can be pretty daunting when trying to find the right class and not knowing where to start. I’m hoping

the information below, will enable you chose your first class a little easier.

Vinyasa

A flowing style linking breath to movement. Adapted in the 1980’s it has become a very popular style of yoga. An energising practice, predominantly athletic, the movement is co-ordinated with the breath and you move from one pose to another. Classes are varied and there can be different poses and sequences each time which keeps it fresh.

Restorative

This is a passive, slow and relaxing practice that will help not only relax your body, but also your mind. Depending on the teacher’s preference poses can be held for up to 10 minutes but don’t let that scare you, it’s all about letting go. Poses can be supported, but using bolsters, blankets, bricks and straps to support the body and aid healing. I practice restorative yoga in addition to my more demanding vinyasa practice – it gives me the perfect balance. The Desk Therapy class at Strong + Bendy is a restorative class.

Yin

A slower paced, more meditative style of yoga which is great for beginners. Classes are relaxed and postures can be held for long periods of time allowing you to focus on the physical

sensations of the body. A little more demanding than restorative yoga but similarly, yin yoga can help to slow down the fluctuations of the mind and help you find inner peace.

Power Yoga

Power Yoga is a vinyasa (flow) practise that links each movement to breath, developed by Baron Baptiste. Classes always follow the format of meditation and setting an intention for your practise, followed by sun salutations, standing poses, abdominal work, backbending, and hip opening, ending in a long period of relaxation. Power Yoga can be modified to be as strong or gentle practise as you like, with modifications for beginners, through to those wanting to work on the more advanced poses such as handstands.

Some practices suit my mood better than others depending on the day. So it’s super important you understand and recognise how you feel and decide what it is that you want to get out of your practice before you go to a class. The above is by no means an exhaustive list of different styles of yoga, there’s also Kundalini, Hot Yoga , Ashtanga and Iyengar.

The best advice I can give is: try them all. Enjoy 😃