Yoga Style

Yoga Style	Type Analysis	Description/Difficulty Level	Terminology/Beginner Tips	How you’ll feel after class
Ashtanga (sometimes Astanga)	A Go for: Individuals who want to work out to the hilt; strong, vigorous. Madonna practices Ashtanga. A No-Go for: Joint problems or not already in good shape.	Sometimes called “Power Yoga” in gyms, Ashtanga consists of a series of postures (asanas) done in a constant flowing (sometimes through jumps) movement linked by the breath in a hot (80 degF) room.	Vande gurunam caranara vinde/Sandarsita Svatma Sukhava bhodhe. Trans: “I pray to the lotus feet of the supreme guru who teaches the good knowledge.” Wear more body-hugging clothes than loose. A mat, blocks and straps may be used.	Invigorated, sweaty, sore maybe, perhaps a little shaky, especially in shoulders and upper body.
Bikram	A Go for: Athletes, individuals who can stand the heat; back pain or arthritis sufferers. A No-Go for: Individuals addicted to air conditioning.	A series of 26 hatha postures, half performed standing and half lying down during each 90-minute class. Room is heated to 100 degF or higher to warm muscles and increase your ability to stretch.	Wear very light clothing, put on plenty of deodorant or bathe immediately before class and bring plenty of water. A sticky mat and towel required.	Hot, very damp and limber.
Hatha	A Go for: Everyone, regardless of age, fitness level or health. Easy. A No-Go for: Advanced “Serious” yoga “fanatics”.	This is an umbrella term that refers to combining postures (asanas) with breathing (pranayama).	Best advice is just to take a class and see what the instructor teaches. Could be a combination of other styles. Generally, loose comfortable clothing works.	More energetic, less fatigued and higher spirits.
Iyengar	A Go for: Individuals who seek the therapeutic effects of Yoga and/or are recovering from an injury. A No-Go for: Individuals seeking spiritual flow.	Static Hatha yoga postures that focus on balance and alignment, and precise form. Therapeutic with emphasis on alignment of the entire skeletal system, from the spine to the finger bones.	Go slow and practice poses at home to maintain continuity between classes. A sticky mat and straps and props used to facilitate holding poses. Blankets, chairs and weights also sometimes used. Wear clothing that doesn’t hide your form.	Taller, healing.
Jivamukti	A Go for: Hard workout types also seeking some spiritual. A No-Go for: Those adverse to chanting or meditating in a group.	An integration of ashtanga-like yoga postures with chanting, music and meditation	There are different levels so begin with the most basic. Comfortable clothing. Sticky mat, straps, blankets and blocks used.	Centered, connected.
Kripalu	A Go for: Yoga novices and individuals looking for stress reduction. A No-Go for: Those interested only in external effects of Yoga. Also those with ADD.	Sometimes called the Yoga of Consciousness, Kripalu is slow; more a journey of self-discovery. Focuses mainly on the mind; on the body only as a way of connecting to the mind. Postures prolonged while you learn to quiet the mind.	Prana (life force). Kripalu translates to “compassion”. In advanced classes, students move spontaneously from one posture to the next. Loose, comfortable clothing.	Calm, spiritually enriched and in touch with your inner feelings.
Yoga Style	Type Analysis	Description/Difficulty Level	Terminology/Beginner Tips	How you’ll feel after class
Kundalini	A Go for: Those seeking higher consciousness along with their flexible body. A No-Go for: Those not seeking higher consciousness or not into breathing, chanting and the mind/body connection.	Breathing is paramount: Some very quick, some slow, some deep and some long pauses between breaths. Sat (truth) on inhale, nam (name or your “true identity”) on exhale. Kundalini refers to the energy force (or chakras) said to lie coiled at the base of the spine. Practice is designed to awaken the chakras and release the energy through intense breathing.	Ong namo guru dev namo. Trans: “I call upon the infinite creative consciousness of my divine inner wisdom.” Individuals with high blood pressure (or pregnant women) should avoid due to the breath retention exercises. Let go of your drive to compete in this class. Loose, comfortable clothing. Sticky mat.	Light-headed, limber.
Sivananda	A Go for: Older cardiac patients. Athletes looking for balance in fitness pursuits. A No-Go for: Individuals looking to work up a serious sweat.	A discipline based upon learning and living the five points of yoga: Exercise (asanas), breathing (pranayama), relaxation (savasan), vegetarian diet, meditation and positive thinking (vedanta). Each class includes 12 series of flowing sun salutations, plus other postures. Some are mainly chanting, prayers and long meditation period.	Om Shanti Shanti Shanti. Trans: Om, peace, peace, peace. Loose, comfortable clothing. Blankets used.	Relaxed, stretched-out, peaceful.
Vinyasa	A Go for: Those who love Ashtanga and have lots of stamina. A No-Go for: Impatient and low stamina individuals.	Hatha-based and akin to Ashtanga, the name translates to flow, which means that each movement and breath is linked to the next. Continuous movement requires stamina and can be somewhat challenging for beginners.	The process is the payoff if you are patient. Do only what you can and you will still see results. Maybe try Hatha before this style. Light, loose clothing. Sticky mat.	Slowed-down, focused.
Laughter Yoga	A Go for: Anyone; especially beginning exercisers.	Loads of abdominal and core work through guffawing and giggling and screaming with laughter.	Exercises like “Paying the Bills” and “Pebblein a Pool” can set off severe bouts of hilarity. Stretching.	Teary eyes, red faced, happy. New friendships.