Yoga styles

Nancy Campbell shares some brief descriptions for some of the most popular styles of yoga.

Yoga has been praised for decades for its effect on both the body and mind. With so many styles available, finding one that works best for you can be confusing. Here are short explanations of some of the most popular styles. Often experienced teachers have trained in many different styles and will offer many different practices on retreat.

Vinyasa Yoga
This is currently the most universally taught style of yoga. Probably because of its versatility and the option to incorporate other styles within its teachings. I often include elements of kundalini, yin, breathwork and philosophy in my vinyasa classes. The main body of a vinyasa class tends to be a flow state created by linking movement with breath – and classes often start with connection, breathwork and a warm up and ends with savasana.

Yin Yoga
Can be practiced as a deep stretch or more restoratively. Seated or supine postures are held for a few minutes at a time to be eased into stillness. These long holds work on the connective tissues, ligaments, joints, and energy centres. Yin complements other forms of yoga and exercises, increases flexibility and can be extremely meditative.

Kundalini Yoga
Is often referred to as deeply connecting, uplifting, and energising. Classes consist of movement (often repetitive and held for longer), breath work (often powerful), mantra (spoken word), mudra (hand gesture) and meditation – taught through a carefully curated sequence (kriya) the kundalini (feminine energy) at the base of the spine is ignited – lifted up through the chakras to create a free flow of prana (life force) and stimulate our feel good hormones creating harmony and balance.

Yoga Nidra
Translates to yogic sleep and is an ancient form of meditation focused on reaching the deepest level of relaxation whilst remaining fully aware. Classes begin with setting an intention to provide a purpose followed by a full a body scan to engage a physical connection. During the practice, awareness shifts through the entire body as you are lead through different stages of consciousness: the waking state, dream state, and deep dreamless sleep.

Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a broad term for any style of yoga where physical postures are incorporated. “Ha” means sun in Sanskrit and “tha” means moon. Together they form a seal: equal, balanced and a sense of movement and surrender. Hatha is often taught gently and is great for beginner-level practitioners as it focuses on the basics of yoga and is often slower-paced than other styles.

Menopause Yoga
Menopause yoga is a nourishing practice that offers tools through breath techniques, mindful movement, and meditation to help manage all stages of menopause and the symptoms these stages often bring with them. It is a form of yoga devised to help women identify what they feel, what they need, and when they need it. Offering tools to help nurture these needs.

Prenatal Yoga
Pregnancy is often a time when women benefit from a deeper connection, slowing down, and checking in. Prenatal yoga is generally deeply nourishing and can also be helpful in preparing mum and mum’s body for both carrying baby and working with any physical niggles as well as preparing the body and mind for birthing. Prenatal yoga, for me, was an absolute saving grace.

Restorative Yoga
Is used to restore both the mind and body and can simply be deliciously nourishing or used while in rehabilitation from an injury. Poses are practiced passively with the full support of props for total relaxation. Yin can sometimes be practiced as restorative yoga.

Iyengar Yoga
Focuses on the precision of alignment in each pose as well as strength and flexibility. A variety of yoga props including blocks, blankets, straps, chairs, walls, and bolsters are all common to ensure a student’s form is correct. This style of yoga is fairly passive but provides a different type of physical and mental challenge since you are required to hold poses for longer stretches.

Ashtanga Yoga
Is traditionally a strict and rigid practice in both its pose alignment and sequencing, with little room for modifications. Each series (6 total) has a set number of poses, each held for 15 breaths, and builds on the former. Progression through the series is made step by step. Ashtanga teachers used to be required to stay in an ashram and have 1000’s of hours of trainings but as with the practise the rigidity of trainings and teachings has softened in more recent years.

Hot Yoga
The discredited Bikram yoga (due to the creator’s convictions of misconduct) is now only one form of hot yoga, and this style has been replaced by many other hot yoga styles.

Remember not only are there are numerous styles of yoga but there are also numerous teachers, numerous levels, and numerous ways each style is taught. So, if you like the sound of the class but find it isn’t for you perhaps try a different teacher and a different level before you dismiss it.

If you would like to join Nancy, you can see her upcoming retreats here.

Here’s a review from Nancy’s Ithaca retreat.

‘Nancy’s yoga retreat in Ithaca was AWESOME! I’ve been practicing for a few decades, and I can honestly say Nancy is one of those rare diamonds who leaves a lasting positive impact. She brings so much skill, love, and authenticity to her teaching, holding the space so brilliantly. Itha108 is a stunning piece of nature, I feel truly blessed to have experienced this week of bliss with a beautiful group and teacher.’

Categorised in: Asana, Holidays & retreats, Meditation, Pranayama, Relaxation, Well-being, Yoga