Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin, Hot...
It's not always easy to find your way when you're starting out with yoga and you're faced with the multitude of styles that exist.
It puts off more than a few people, which is completely normal, but it's also such a shame π
That's why I've decided to create an episode on my French podcast that breaks down each of the main styles in a simple and clear way, so you know which style speaks to you, and which ones you'd rather avoid.
And I thought you'd appreciate a little summary in English :)
HATHA YOGA π§ββοΈ
The style: Gentle to moderate, postures held for longer It's for you if... You're a beginner or you want to understand the foundations Energy: βββββ Personal tip: Just because it's a style that suits beginners doesn't mean it's not demanding!
VINYASA YOGA π
The style: Fluid and dynamic, flowing sequences It's for you if... You like moving and variety Energy: βββββ Personal tip: It's my favourite style because I get bored easily π I wouldn't recommend it to total beginners, because the pace is usually quite fast.
YIN YOGA π
The style: Slow, meditative, postures held for 3-5 minutes It's for you if... You're always rushing and need to slow down Energy: βββββ Personal tip: It's my second favourite style because I'm πlazyπ, and the whole challenge here is to do nothing. It might seem easy, but when you're used to an overloaded schedule... not so much, actually!
RESTORATIVE YOGA π€
The style: Ultra gentle, fully supported with props It's for you if... You're exhausted and need to recover Energy: βββββ Personal tip: This is your best friend when you're absolutely exhausted. It's about giving yourself permission to truly rest. And if I was the president, I would make it mandatory for everyone π€
ASHTANGA YOGA β‘
The style: Fixed sequence, intense and structured It's for you if... You love routine and a proper challenge Energy: βββββ Personal tip: Ashtanga can be amazing if you're the type who thrives on repetition and discipline. But be honest with yourself: if you're already burnt out, this might not be the best place to start. Build your foundations first!
HOT YOGA π₯
The style: Yoga in a heated room (35-40Β°C) It's for you if... You love sweating and already have some experience Energy: βββββ Personal tip: It's very trendy, but the heat doesn't make it "better" yoga. Plus, it can mask body sensations and lead to more injuries. If you're curious, give it a go, but never feel pressured to practice in extreme temperatures. And listen to your body, it knows best :)
THERAPEUTIC YOGA π
As for my type of yoga, I teach therapeutic yoga. That means I blend the 4 first styles of this list (Hatha, Vinyasa, Yin and Restorative) with some bits of mobility training, Pilates, mindfulness techniques and other cool stuff I find, to fit the needs of the person in front of me on any given day.
The best thing about working 1:1 as I do, is that you can show up to one our classes exhausted, ill, high energy, stressed out... and I will use all of my skills and knowledge to cook up a class that fits how you feel now. You can't find that in a studio :)
So... which of these styles calls to you? Which one would you not be interested in trying at all?
Om, peace π§‘
Clem