Which Type of Yoga is Right for Me?
The great thing about yoga is that there is no one-size-fits-all. Whatever your experience or ability, there is a style out there which will suit you.
There are, however, a variety of styles available, so before booking your first session it’s a good idea to research which one is right for you so you find a practice that will help you reach your goals.
There are a few things which remain consistent, for example:
– Most classes last between 45 and 90 minutes
– Yoga can be enjoyed by people of all ages, body types and levels of experience
– Yoga is most beneficial when practised routinely
Yoga is an amazingly beneficial practice for people of all ages and abilities. Whether you’re a pro, or on the cusp of attempting yoga for the very first time, there’s a style for you.
Before you start, it’s useful to understand what you’d like to achieve from the practice. For example, the type of movements you want to attempt, how frequently you’d like to do it, and how you would like to be taught. This way, you’ll get the absolute most out of it.
Which type of yoga should I practise?
We’ll focus on four particular yoga types, highlighting the associated benefits and what you can expect:
Hatha yoga (for beginners)
This is arguably the perfect introduction to yoga. Though it can indeed be beneficial to intermediate and long-term yoga practitioners, it is quite gentle, and therefore ideal for beginners. After an initial assessment to help you better understand your capabilities, you will be taught the basic yoga poses and will learn how they can benefit your body.
Ashtanga posture sequence yoga
This particular type of yoga is one that can be enjoyed and appreciated by yogis of all ages and abilities. A modern adaptation of classical Indian yoga, Ashtanga has been designed to be both energetic and precise, giving practitioners the opportunity to discover their own level of ability and adjust the difficulty of the moves accordingly.
Vinyasa fast flow power yoga
As the name would suggest, this type of yoga is dynamic, invigorating and energetic. Following a consultation session with your yoga teacher to better understand your level of experience and the condition of one’s body, you will be shown the various movements and postures and will understand how to use them in sequence. It is worth noting that this particular type of yoga is relatively intense and involves lots of movement, so tends not to be viable for those who would still consider themselves beginners.
Pilates strength and stability
A different activity than yoga, but with many of the same roots, Pilates is designed predominantly to strengthen one’s core and enhance your body’s ability to cope with strain. A first Pilates class will generally involve an assessment of your physical condition – both for the benefit of you and your instructor – and an introduction to the primary exercises that will be used throughout the first class and beyond.
USPAAH now offers private yoga & pilates sessions at home. Book online or via the USPAAH app. For £15 off your first session use the code YOGA15 at checkout.