As yoga continues to increase in popularity so too are the number of yoga centers and yoga classes in many Western cities on the rise. Yoga is such a viable form of exercise that it’s really difficult to stereotype the average yoga practitioner.

People from all walks of life and many states of health and degrees of athleticism participate in yoga. I think the growing popularity is due to the wide spectrum appeal that yoga offersto all types of people.

Beyond finding the time to do yoga (which isn’t that difficult if you trade 1/2 an hour of TV or internet surfing for developing a yoga habit) , the main difficulty people have with breaking into the yoga scene is differentiating between the various styles of yoga.

Take some time to read about the different types of yoga. This should help you realize which styles seem most appealing or relevant to you personally.

Yoga Styles

• Hatha Yoga - Hatha yoga is a gentle, slower style of yoga. Hatha yoga is a great place for beginners to start because you don’t have to learn any asanas (poses). The word hatha, when split into its two root words (ha and tha), means sun and moon respectively.
• Ashtanga Yoga - Ashtanga yoga is a much more intense and fast paced style of yoga. In Ashtanga yoga the various movements are synchronized with breathing. In Sanskrit the term Ashtanga means eight limbs. This style of yoga can be very demanding as it takes great concentration as well as stamina to move through the asanas. Consequently, Ashtanga yoga tends to be very good for building stamina and strength.
• Power Yoga - Power yoga is a Western variation based on Ashtanga yoga. Typically though, not all the asanas are Ashtanga yoga and not all the Ashtanga yoga asanas are utilized. The main feature of this type of yoga is the ongoing exercise –there is no stopping and starting, similar to Ashtanga yoga.
• Iyengar Yoga - Iyengar yoga focuses on correct alignment of the body, as well as form. The Iyengar type of yoga was formed upon the teachings of B.K.S. Iyengar. In contrast to Ashtanga yoga, Iyengar yoga emphasizes holding a single position for a long perid of time. Another difference is that oftentimes straps and blocks are used to align the body for particular poses.
• Vinyasa Yoga - Vinyasa yoga places much importance on breathing and breath work. This is another type of yoga that involves a faster pace and moving through various asanas. During Vinyasa practice ech position is balanced by a counter pose.
• Bikram Yoga - Bikram yoga (also known as hot yoga) is practiced in a heated room, which is beileved to help muscles stretch more easily. Typically there are 26 poses that are worked through during a Bikram yoga session.

Variety is the spice of life!

Don’t decide that you can only do one type of yoga. Try out several types of yoga to find out what you really like. Even though I have my habitual favorites, I think it’s fun and inspiring to try out other types of yoga from time to time to add some variety.