Yoga is an ancient practice that has been around for thousands of years, and it has become increasingly popular in recent years. With so many different types of yoga available, it can be difficult to know which one is best for beginners. Hatha yoga is always recommended for those just starting out, as it is considered to be a more gentle form of yoga. Traditionally, it's a slower type of movement where you hold each pose for a few breaths while focusing on improving your posture.
Hot yoga is similar to Bikram in that it is practiced in a heated room, but teachers aren't limited by Bikram's sequence of 26 poses. Detail-oriented and slow-paced, Iyengar yoga is also good for beginners. Vinyasa yoga, also known as Ashtanga yoga, tends to move at a faster pace and, unlike the more frequented Hatha yoga, breathing is used in synergy with movement. Candlelight yoga is a great way to end the night and help close out the day or week.
Kundalini yoga classes include meditation, breathing and singing techniques, as well as yoga poses. Restorative yoga is the most relaxing yoga you'll ever experience, with the main goal of relaxing muscles and releasing tension in the body. No matter which type of yoga you choose, it's important to find an experienced instructor who has at least a 200-hour teaching certificate from a Yoga Alliance accredited program. This will ensure that you are doing the poses safely and correctly.
Yoga can be done at home, but especially for beginners, it's important to try one or two classes taught by an experienced instructor in order to get the most out of your practice. Yoga breathing techniques offer a “way to meditate” and help to develop strength and fluidity through heating flows. The sequences allow us to focus attention on the “me” and no two classes are the same. As indicated, this practice promotes a calm and relaxing environment under candlelight while your instructor guides you through the traditional movements of yoga.
This type of class focuses on poses that promote relaxation, restoration and rejuvenation, similar to restorative yoga and Hatha yoga. For maximum benefit, choose a yoga style that fits your fitness level, as well as your personality and goals for practicing yoga. It's time to unfold your yoga mat and discover the combination of physical and mental exercises that have hooked yoga practitioners around the world for thousands of years.
