Jean Grant-Sutton

Bikram Yoga, Iyengar Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, , Integrative Yoga, Yin Yoga, Kundalini Yoga , the list could continue on. These are all names of different styles of Hatha Yoga that are available for you to choose from when you decide it’s time to take a yoga class.

How do you know which style is for you? I’d like to give you some information on all these styles and then you will have a basic idea of what you are getting into when you go to a class.

Bikram Yoga is the style of yoga most people think of as Hot Yoga. The room is heated up, ranging from 95-100 degrees. The concept behind this is  that the heat will loosen your tight muscles and the increased sweating encourages the cleansing process. It was pioneered by Bikram Choudhury , and follows a set of 26 poses.

Iyengar Yoga is the style that emphasizes the alignment of the physical body. B.K.S. Iyengar is the founder of this style. In an Iyengar class you can expect to hold poses for awhile versus moving quickly from pose to pose, and you will be encouraged to use props such as: blankets, blocks,  straps, and bolsters to help bring the body into alignment

Ashtanga Yoga is a fast paced, intense style of yoga. You will also hear it referred to as Power Yoga. A series of postures is performed always in the same order; you move from one to the next without stopping, so is very physically demanding. Sri K. Pattabhi Jois established this style.

Integrative Yoga blends elements of alignment, breath, guided imagery, meditation and deep relaxation to optimize the practice for health and healing purposes. It bridges the ancient science of yoga with the modern mind/body wellness paradigm.

Classes will always be different, and use an assortment of poses designed by the teacher to bring an experience of harmony and well-being. Created by Joseph Le Page

Yin Yoga is a very gentle, passive style of yoga with the intention to work with connective tissue rather than muscle. A series of poses designed to stretch the connective tissue are held anywhere between 3-5 minutes. It is a great balance to rigorous practices and helps keep the joints healthy, and moves the prana, the life force energy, out of stuck congested areas. Designed by Paul Grilley

Kundalini Yoga classes will be a blend of postures, pranayama, (breathing exercises), mantra, (repetition of a word, phrase or prayer to create transformation,) music and meditation. Intended to promote health, happiness and spiritual awareness. Yogi Bhajan is considered the ‘Father of Kundalini in the West’.

As I mentioned there are more styles of yoga, and new ones emerging all the time as individual teachers focus on some aspect of yoga and give their particular perspective a name.

In general, Hatha Yoga is the term that describes the yoga done in gyms and studios here in the West. It is the part of yoga that uses the body in movement to deepen and or develop awareness for the individual practicing, whatever style they have chosen.

If you have any questions regarding a style of yoga that I have not mentioned here, please feel free to comment and I will tell you what I know.  Don’t let any confusion stop you from trying yoga, if you don’t like the style you try the first time , don’t give up– investigate further and find what suits your needs and feels right to you. There is a lot to choose from but the essence of yoga practice is all intended to enhance your strength, flexibility, balance and well being.

Jean Grant-Sutton is director of BodyWorks Integrative Yoga and Stress Management.