Ashtanga
What to expect:
Six series of set postures traditionally taught one pose at a time, in the style of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In the North Amercia, most classes focus on the Primary Series, which is adaptable for beginners but is challenging for those who aren't exercising already. Students often work at their own pace (called Mysore-style) with the teacher assisting and teaching new poses as previous ones are mastered. Focus is on breath, bandhas (energy locks), and drishti (fixed gaze points), and poses are linked--no pausing in between. The series can be customized to suit any body type at any level. Expect led classes to move at a rigorous pace with "vinyasas" (plank-chaturanga-up dog-down dog transitions) between poses and plenty of hands-on attention from the teacher.
No music. Each pose is held for five breaths, and led Primary Series classes last 60-90 minutes, though beginners classes are often shorter. Props are not traditionally used, but many teachers will allow them. (This is the style I initially fell in love with when I first tried Yoga…. and the one I recommend for anyone interested in yoga.) "Ashta" means eight in Sanskrit, and "Ashtanga" yoga refers to the eight limbs of yoga.
Good for:
• Anyone interested in yoga.
• Anyone who wants to learn a set series they can do at home.
Avoid if:
• You want a slow, gentle yoga class.
• You have a current injury and are a beginner. (Advanced or intermediate yogis will feel comfortable adjusting as needed.)
• You have a shoulder injury (lots of low pushups).
You might also like:
• Power yoga for the strength building.
Six series of set postures traditionally taught one pose at a time, in the style of Sri K Pattabhi Jois. In the North Amercia, most classes focus on the Primary Series, which is adaptable for beginners but is challenging for those who aren't exercising already. Students often work at their own pace (called Mysore-style) with the teacher assisting and teaching new poses as previous ones are mastered. Focus is on breath, bandhas (energy locks), and drishti (fixed gaze points), and poses are linked--no pausing in between. The series can be customized to suit any body type at any level. Expect led classes to move at a rigorous pace with "vinyasas" (plank-chaturanga-up dog-down dog transitions) between poses and plenty of hands-on attention from the teacher.
No music. Each pose is held for five breaths, and led Primary Series classes last 60-90 minutes, though beginners classes are often shorter. Props are not traditionally used, but many teachers will allow them. (This is the style I initially fell in love with when I first tried Yoga…. and the one I recommend for anyone interested in yoga.) "Ashta" means eight in Sanskrit, and "Ashtanga" yoga refers to the eight limbs of yoga.
Good for:
• Anyone interested in yoga.
• Anyone who wants to learn a set series they can do at home.
Avoid if:
• You want a slow, gentle yoga class.
• You have a current injury and are a beginner. (Advanced or intermediate yogis will feel comfortable adjusting as needed.)
• You have a shoulder injury (lots of low pushups).
You might also like:
• Power yoga for the strength building.
Hatha
What to expect:
Hatha yoga refers to any form of yoga that's gentle and slow-paced, usually well-suited for beginners.
This style of yoga is recognized as a stress-reducing practice. This class will achieve balance between the mind and body as well attempts to free the more subtle spiritual elements of the mind through physical poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation.
Good for:
• Anyone with mobility issues.
• Beginners.
• Seniors
• Pregnant women (with modifications)
Avoid if:
• Anyone looking for a rigorous practice or fitness style of yoga.
You might also like:
• Classes called Kundalini, Hatha Slow flow, restorative, gentle , or beginners yoga workshop
Hatha yoga refers to any form of yoga that's gentle and slow-paced, usually well-suited for beginners.
This style of yoga is recognized as a stress-reducing practice. This class will achieve balance between the mind and body as well attempts to free the more subtle spiritual elements of the mind through physical poses (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation.
Good for:
• Anyone with mobility issues.
• Beginners.
• Seniors
• Pregnant women (with modifications)
Avoid if:
• Anyone looking for a rigorous practice or fitness style of yoga.
You might also like:
• Classes called Kundalini, Hatha Slow flow, restorative, gentle , or beginners yoga workshop
Kundalini
What to expect:
Kundalini yoga focuses on linking breath and movement, with the intent of releasing energy from the lower body and sending it upward. The focus is on awareness and an increased consciousness to bring you closer to enlightenment. In yoga, "kundalini" refers to a coil of dormant energy that rests at the base of the spine. The aim of kundalini yoga is to awaken, harness and release this energy. This branch of yoga is very meditative and spiritual, and they move much more slowly than other classes with a focus on meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises).
Good for:
• Anyone looking for a "deeper" spiritual connection to their yoga practice.
Avoid if:
• Anyone who feels that this practice would conflict with their strong spiritual beliefs.
• Anyone looking for a purely physical experience.
You might also like:
• Hatha or Slow Flow yoga for a slower-paced practice with less focus on energy and more on breath connectivity
Kundalini yoga focuses on linking breath and movement, with the intent of releasing energy from the lower body and sending it upward. The focus is on awareness and an increased consciousness to bring you closer to enlightenment. In yoga, "kundalini" refers to a coil of dormant energy that rests at the base of the spine. The aim of kundalini yoga is to awaken, harness and release this energy. This branch of yoga is very meditative and spiritual, and they move much more slowly than other classes with a focus on meditation and pranayama (breathing exercises).
Good for:
• Anyone looking for a "deeper" spiritual connection to their yoga practice.
Avoid if:
• Anyone who feels that this practice would conflict with their strong spiritual beliefs.
• Anyone looking for a purely physical experience.
You might also like:
• Hatha or Slow Flow yoga for a slower-paced practice with less focus on energy and more on breath connectivity
Power/Core
What to expect:
This form of yoga is very active and athletic, and it was originally a westernized form of Ashtanga. It has since evolved to include different poses, though many of the Ashtanga poses remain. Power yoga includes additional strength moves and core work.
Expect lots of "vinyasas" between poses, with plenty of handstands and other strength-building poses.
Good for:
• Those who want a rigorous practice.
• Those looking for a challenge.
Avoid if:
• Those who prefer a gentle yoga practice.
• Beginners.
• Those with limited mobility.
• You have a shoulder injury (lots of low pushups).
You might also like:
• Ashtanga, which is the traditional practice that inspired Power yoga.
• Vinyasa classes that flow at a steady pace.
This form of yoga is very active and athletic, and it was originally a westernized form of Ashtanga. It has since evolved to include different poses, though many of the Ashtanga poses remain. Power yoga includes additional strength moves and core work.
Expect lots of "vinyasas" between poses, with plenty of handstands and other strength-building poses.
Good for:
• Those who want a rigorous practice.
• Those looking for a challenge.
Avoid if:
• Those who prefer a gentle yoga practice.
• Beginners.
• Those with limited mobility.
• You have a shoulder injury (lots of low pushups).
You might also like:
• Ashtanga, which is the traditional practice that inspired Power yoga.
• Vinyasa classes that flow at a steady pace.
Vinyasa
What to expect:
Vinyasa yoga is the general term used for faster-paced "flow" classes. These classes can cross various schools of yoga, and they will move faster than your typical hatha class. This is an Ashtanga based style yoga class designed to create heat, release toxins and impurities and bring your mind to a more peaceful and calm state. This class will definitely help reduce weight, tone and strengthen your body. Vinyasa Flow moves you from one posture to another posture gently allowing blood to flow more freely, the body to release stress and tight muscles and focus and clear your mind. Another one of my top three fav’s!
Good for:
• Anyone looking for a faster-paced class.
• Anyone who gets bored easily with their fitness routine, this is a fun, quick paced class that challenges your balance, mind body connection and full body wake up.
Avoid if:
• Those extremely new to exercise should not take vinyasa classes (or be prepared to modify to suit your needs).
• Those with mobility issues.
• You have a shoulder injury (lots of low pushups).
• You want a slow, gentle workout or stretch.
You might also like:
• Ashtanga for the flowing pace with no music and a preset series of poses.
• Power for the flowing pace and variety.
Vinyasa yoga is the general term used for faster-paced "flow" classes. These classes can cross various schools of yoga, and they will move faster than your typical hatha class. This is an Ashtanga based style yoga class designed to create heat, release toxins and impurities and bring your mind to a more peaceful and calm state. This class will definitely help reduce weight, tone and strengthen your body. Vinyasa Flow moves you from one posture to another posture gently allowing blood to flow more freely, the body to release stress and tight muscles and focus and clear your mind. Another one of my top three fav’s!
Good for:
• Anyone looking for a faster-paced class.
• Anyone who gets bored easily with their fitness routine, this is a fun, quick paced class that challenges your balance, mind body connection and full body wake up.
Avoid if:
• Those extremely new to exercise should not take vinyasa classes (or be prepared to modify to suit your needs).
• Those with mobility issues.
• You have a shoulder injury (lots of low pushups).
• You want a slow, gentle workout or stretch.
You might also like:
• Ashtanga for the flowing pace with no music and a preset series of poses.
• Power for the flowing pace and variety.
Yin
What to expect:
Also called Taoist yoga, yin yoga integrates principles of hatha yoga and qi gong, along with other aspects of Taoism. Yin yoga focuses on connective tissues (ligaments and tendons) rather than muscles. It does not focus on warming the muscles or moving quickly; rather it encourages long-held poses that foster relaxation. Yin poses are very passive and often done with props. Expect very long holds--five minutes or more.
Good for:
• Those with mobility issues.
• Anyone recovering from an injury.
• Those looking for a restorative practice.
• Great for athletes looking for a way to repair overuse and gain flexibility.
• Good for beginners.
• If you meditate, this is a good practice for you.
• If you want to practice patience and have your mind just chill for 75 minutes.
Avoid if:
• Anyone who wants a fast-paced class or who doesn't want to sit still for longer periods of time.
• If you want to sweat vigorously to release toxins.
You might also like:
• Hatha (gentle or restorative) classes for the slower pace.
Also called Taoist yoga, yin yoga integrates principles of hatha yoga and qi gong, along with other aspects of Taoism. Yin yoga focuses on connective tissues (ligaments and tendons) rather than muscles. It does not focus on warming the muscles or moving quickly; rather it encourages long-held poses that foster relaxation. Yin poses are very passive and often done with props. Expect very long holds--five minutes or more.
Good for:
• Those with mobility issues.
• Anyone recovering from an injury.
• Those looking for a restorative practice.
• Great for athletes looking for a way to repair overuse and gain flexibility.
• Good for beginners.
• If you meditate, this is a good practice for you.
• If you want to practice patience and have your mind just chill for 75 minutes.
Avoid if:
• Anyone who wants a fast-paced class or who doesn't want to sit still for longer periods of time.
• If you want to sweat vigorously to release toxins.
You might also like:
• Hatha (gentle or restorative) classes for the slower pace.
Kids Yoga (4-11 Years)
This class is specially designed for children of 11 years of age and under. Kids will learn all the benefits of yoga, how to breathe deeply and incorporate the use of breath to help calm the mind and aid in focus, listening during excited times or difficult moments at school or at home. Kids are taught how to control bursts of emotion and frustration though mindful awareness and breath work. Different postures based on animals selected by our little friends (some are very ferocious!) and are introduced each week in a series of whimsical stories. Routines are introduced towards the end of each practice that our little monkeys can practice at home. Often, movement and fitness is used to inspired kids to interact with one another and bring individual personality into our group practices.
We might get a little ‘wild’ at times as we hop around on lily pads, but we end each journey with a magical carpet ride during our Savasana resting period.
We might get a little ‘wild’ at times as we hop around on lily pads, but we end each journey with a magical carpet ride during our Savasana resting period.