Which yoga style is best for you ? | Part 1

Which yoga style is best for you ?

So, you’ve been thinking about starting a yoga practice but feel overwhelmed by all the different yoga styles out there ? What’s the difference between Ashtanga and Bikram yoga ? And what about Yin and Iyengar yoga ? Ugghh right ? But don’t worry dear, I got your back.

In this first part of my Which yoga style is best for you ? series, we will go through 3 types of yoga : Ashtanga, Hatha and Kundalini.

May it shed some light on your search for the perfect yoga practice.

Ashtanga (Vinyasa) Yoga

I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now, but I’ve only just started an Ashtanga practice. I absolutely love it although I must admit I’ve never had my ass kicked like this before. After my first Ashtanga Vinyasa class, my body was so sore I had trouble dressing up the for next 3 mornings. So beginners beware ! This is a though one to start with. If you’re just starting out with yoga, you might want to go for something less demanding in order to learn the basics before jumping into an Ashtanga practice.

What is Ashtanga Yoga ? : Ashtanga yoga was introduced to the modern world by Sri K. Pattabhi Jois during the 20th century. Translated, Ashtanga means «eight limbs» or «eight branches». Serving as guidelines, these eight branches help you  live a meaningful and purposeful life. An Ashtanga yoga practice will lead you towards a moral and ethical conduct and lots of self-discipline.

What to expect : Asanas, which are the postures practiced in yoga and that what you see on instagram, constitute the 3rd limb of Ashtanga Yoga. A student will learn a first set of poses before being allowed to attempt any others that follow. A usual Ashtanga vinyasa practice will begin with a series of five  Surya Namaskara A, five repetitions of Surya Namaskara B, followed by a standing sequence. After that, depending on your practice, you will begin with one of the six series, followed by the closing sequence. The breath is as the centre of this discipline and is what links one asana to the next. Trust me, you will sweat a lot. The intense heat produced during this practice helps to purify muscles and organs, expelling the toxins all while releasing good hormones.

Ashtanga yoga is for you if : I recommend Ashtanga yoga to anybody who is interested in a more global approach to yoga and who is searching for a practice with a strong sense of purpose that will push you to focus and grow. With the practice of asanas you will gain strength, flexibility, discipline and inner peace. This practice is very demanding and remains very similar day after day. It might take years for a student to move up a level. If you have muscle or joints sensibility Ashtanga might not be the perfect fit for you. But, on the other hand, if you are looking for a physical challenge, a strict routine and core strength, this practice might be for you. 

Hatha Yoga

What is Hatha Yoga ? : Alright, this is a confusing one, so hold on tight. Translated from Sanskrit, an ancient language in Hinduism, Hatha means forceful. Hatha Yoga is a very broad term that encompasses pretty much most of the physical practices of yoga. Confusing much right ? This means that the term ‘hatha’ can be applied to asana practices as diverse as Ashtanga, Iyengar, Kundalini, etc. You name it, it’s pretty much all Hatha. According to Ellen Stansell, a scholar of yogic literature, the term hatha started to be used as early as the 12th century. Although today we consider hatha yoga to be on the gentle end of the spectrum, Stansell explains that it must have seemed strong in comparison to more subtle practices (meditation, for example) that were available at time.

What to expect ? : I can already hear you asking, Well, if Hatha is such a wide yoga type, then what on earth are we to expect from a Hatha yoga class ? If you attend a haha yoga class, you can expect a gentle, basic yoga with no flow between poses. You will find yourself in a slower-paced and very stretching oriented class. You will also encounter some pranayama breathing exercises and probably a seated meditation at the end of the class.

Hatha yoga is for you if : I know Hatha yoga can seem a little broad and confusing but I recommend to keep in mind that a Hatha yoga practice is for anybody looking for a gentle, soft yoga class. But don’t get mistaken, it can be challenging at times depending on the teacher. I think Hatha yoga serves as a great introduction to yoga and is for anybody looking for a great opportunity to stretch, unwind, ground themselves and release any tension. 

Kundalini Yoga

What is Kundalini Yoga ? : Let’s learn some more Sanskrit yei ! «Kundalini» translates literally from Sanskrit as «coiled snake». It is said that in Eastern religion, way way before Buddhism and Hinduism, it was believed that every human being hold within himself the divine. At the base of the spine, this divine energy was patiently waiting to be ..well, uncoiled. In other words, Kundalini yoga is a very ancient and sacred type of practice that searches to awaken our Higher Self and put us in contact with the divine and sacred energy of creation within us. We could call it, the yoga of awareness. By practicing Kundalini yoga, you will come to the understanding that God, is not a deity in the sky but rather is consciousness from which all things flow, including ourselves. This understanding will bring you to deconstruct the ego and create a connection with the divine.

What to expect ? : A Kundalini class is quite different from any other. Each class is about an hour to an hour and a half long. During that period of time, you usually start with a warm-up and spiritual teachings from the teacher. You will then go into the physical part of the practice called Kriya and finish off with Savasana and meditation. This seems pretty normal right ? That's until I tell you that any Kundalini Kriya can contain a variety of activities such as stretching, breathing exercises, jumping, dancing, running, yelling, chanting, meditating and much much more. Not so usual after all hu ? Oh yeah and also, students and teachers wear white clothes and turbans to nourish light and the Divine.

Kundalini yoga is for you if : Although every Yoga style has a strong spiritual core, Kundalini Yoga might be the one with the strongest focus on spirituality and mindfulness. If you are looking for a great and diverse workout but also are searching for a deep spiritual connection and strong sense of individual truth oh and if you look great in white, then Kundalini yoga is definitely something you should look into. 

This is all for now!

Now you have a better understanding of what Ashtanga, Hatha and Kundalini yoga are.

Which yoga style is your favorite ?

Let me know in the comments below!

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