You've spent weeks filling online shopping baskets with Adidas x Stella McCartney kit that you probably don't need and definitely can’t afford, you've agonised over getting the right mat, you’ve even had a tentative go at some YouTube yoga tutorials. You're ready to take the next step: attending a yoga class IRL. But with so many types of yoga on offer in the UK, finding a class that works for you is at best cryptic, and at worst, downright impossible. So here’s our guide to all the different yoga classes, to help you on your journey to inner peace.
Hatha
While many UK yoga studios use the term "Hatha" to refer to a specific kind of yoga class, the Sanskrit term "Hathayoga" or "Hathavidya", refers to the physical act of yoga – the poses or "asanas" – as opposite to the many mental aspects of the yoga practice. So whether you practice Ashtanga, Iyengar or Acro yoga, you’re practicing a branch of Hatha yoga by performing a sequence of physical exercises designed to prepare the mind for meditation. At many gyms and studios though, the label Hatha indicates slower, more meditative classes in which each pose is held for a few minutes at a time.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga yoga, sometimes referred to as Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga, was formalized and made popular by legendary yogi Krishna Pattabhi Jois. Asthanga is Sanskrit for "eight-limbed" and refers to the eight principles that make up the Ashtanga yoga practice. Ashtanga yoga classes follow a specific sequence starting with Sun Salutations, moving on to the Primary, Secondary or Advanced series and ending with a closing sequence. If you are new to Ashtanga, definitely avoid Mysore-style classes in which students practise a specific sequence from memory at their own pace while the teacher makes physical adjustments to their poses.
Inyengar
Inyengar classes are named after their founder, BKS Inyengar, the Granddaddy of yoga as we know it in the Western world. Like Ashtanga, Inyengar yoga is based on the eight limbs of yoga. However, unlike Ashtanga, Inyengar classes use a lot of props – from bolsters to blocks, blankets to straps – which encourage precision in alignment and minimise the possibility of yoga-related injuries (which are actually a lot more common than you’d think). Inyengar classes are suitable for all ages and levels, although they are particularly good for beginners, those working with injuries and yogis looking for a more gentle, theory-led practice.
Vinyasa Flow
In Vinyasa, or Vinyasa Flow classes, yoga poses are weaved together to create a smooth, dance-style sequence. Linking the movement from one asana to the next is the breath. Although other styles, such as Ashtanga and Jivamukti, can be classified as Vinyasa, most yoga studios use the broad term ‘Vinyasa’ to mean fun, fairly energetic classes usually accompanied by music. If you’re unsure which style of yoga to start off with, I’d recommend Vinyasa Flow.
Bikram
Bikram yoga, which borrows its name from it’s infamous founder Bikram Choudhury, follows a very strict formula. Classes are taught by Bikram-certified teachers, all of whom have completed Choudhury’s costly teacher training programme. Classes take place in rooms heated to 40 degrees and last for 90 minutes. During this time, a sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises are performed. If you want to sweat and don’t mind getting near naked in public, this is probably the class for you. Remember to bring a towel!
Rocket
Straight out of 1980s San Francisco, Rocket yoga brings advanced poses to all levels of yoga practitioner. Although not one for beginners (spoiler: there are a lot of handstands), Rocket yoga is great if you want to learn Insta-worthy moves in record time and burn a lot of calories in the process. Despite it’s speed, Rocket is laid-back, focusing more on the movements than the theory behind them. If Ashtanga is the Jeremy Corbyn of yoga, Rocket is Russell Brand.
Jivamukti
Another 1980s American import, Jivamukti is a stark contrast to Rocket yoga. Jivamukti classes are built around the five tenets of scripture, music, devotion, kindness and meditation. Be prepared for strict teachers, lectures about veganism and a lot of mantra chanting. And whilst we’re on the subject, you should really do Google image search for Jivamukti’s founders David Life and Sharon Gannon. So, so many gems.
Yin
The Yin to Rocket’s yang, Yin yoga moves at a very slow pace and mostly takes place on the ground. Each pose is held for five minutes or more, giving the body time to relax into deep stretches and the muscles and connective tissues a chance to open up. During this time, yin teachers often give "dharma talks", monologues drawn from philosophy, Buddhist stories, personal experiences or current events. If Yin was a day, it would definitely be Sunday.
Aerial
Because it’s 2016 and too much is never enough, someone, somewhere decided to literally flip yoga on it’s head. Also known as anti gravity or vertical yoga, Aerial is huge hit with celebrities and Instayogis looking for the next challenge. Suspended hammocks are wound around the body, lifting yogis off the mat and into their air. As you’d expect, Aerial classes are a lot of fun, and much more informal than the average yoga lesson. Probably give this one a miss if you are pregnant or have low blood pressure though.
Acro
Definitely not one for the purists, Acro yoga is a mash-up of yoga, gymnastics and dance. Like Aerial, Acro yoga takes place in the air. Acros yogis work in teams of three made up of a base, flyer and spotter. The base and flyer move together to transition from one pose to the next in a slow flow assisted by the spotter. Acro yoga doesn’t take yoga, or itself, too seriously. If you’re nervous about falling repeatedly onto a stranger then definitely bring a friend along to your first class. And a word of warning: prepare for the possibility of smug yogi couples.
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