Choosing a Yoga Class
Yoga is not just about working out, it’s about a healthy lifestyle. The practice of yoga allows you to be still in an increasingly busy world.
Yoga has a vast range of health benefits; from improved flexibility and muscle strength, to boosting your immune system and your self esteems, you’d be hard pushed to find another practice with so many body and mind benefits.
One of the benefits of yoga is that you can choose a yoga style that is tailored to your lifestyle, such as hot yoga, power yoga, relaxation yoga, prenatal yoga, etc. Whether you prefer you’re at home, in a private session, watching a DVD or at a studio or gym, there are a huge variety of options available to suit your goals and needs.
Here we’ve summarised the different classes on offer to help simplify the process of choosing one.
Hatha Yoga
The perfect beginner class, Hatha yoga classes are all about breathing and gentle stretching focussing on relaxation.
Bring: Yoga essentials like mats may be provided, but always bring water.
Wear: Comfortable clothes that will keep you warm during slower movements.
Ashtanga Yoga
One of the most common classes, Ashtanga yoga has an athletic style. During a class you follow a series of poses with regulated breathing to get your heart beating faster. Ashtanga yoga classes focus on relaxation.
Bring: Mat, towel and water
Wear: Comfortable clothing that wicks sweat and allows you to move freely.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga focuses on helping you learn the subtleties of the poses, using props to help you correct your alignment. It’s perfect for beginners.
Bring: Mat, towel and water. Any props you need should be provided.
Wear: Close fitting clothing to allow you to check your form.
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa (or Flow) classes have a flowing style, with poses leading into one another. Vinyasa classes are perfect if you like to mix things up as you’ll be doing different routines each time.
Bring: Mat, towel and water.
Wear: Comfortable clothing that allows you to move freely.
Bikram Yoga
Get your sweat on with a Bikram yoga class which will see you perform 26 yoga poses designed to stretch and strengthen in a 40 degree room. Great for releasing toxins!
Bring: Lots of water, a sweat towel and a change of clothes for after.
Wear: Moisure wicking clothing, not cotton. Expect to sweat!