Styles of Yoga

Yoga comes in many forms, each offering its own benefits and ways of practice. Some styles are energizing and dynamic, while others are slow and calming. This page is here to help you explore some of the different styles of yoga, so you can find the practices that best support your body, mind, and spirit.

Vinyasa

Often referred to as "Vinyasa Flow", focuses on the transition between poses. It also maintains a more rapid flow of movement through different postures. The structure of Vinyasa flow will vary greatly from class to class since the definition of the style is so broad. Due to its faster class pace, many people are drawn to Vinyasa classes for its fitness applications.

Hatha

Through breathing exercises in combination with physical poses, Hatha yoga seeks to cleanse and connect the mind and body. Pranayama and the asanas are the most widely recognized parts of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga is rooted in more deeper practices; including yogic lifestyle, meditation, and yogic philosophy.

Yin

Yin Yoga provides a slower and more meditative style of yoga. In Yin, different poses are held for longer periods of time for a deeper stretch. In these classes, a pose is usually held for 1-2 minutes, but can sometimes be held for up to 5 minutes in duration. The purpose of holding poses for long periods of time is to target the deeper tissues in our body; our connective tissue, ligaments, joints, and fascia. In Yin Yoga philosophy, it’s believed that by releasing our tissues in this way, we can improve and remove blocked Chi or energy in our body. Another benefit of Yin Yoga is that a static pose is a safer way to apply stress to the joints.

Kundalini

Kundalini Yoga is rooted in Hatha Yoga and is commonly recognized for its spiritual benefits. Kundalini presents the imagery of a snake coiled at the base of the spine which represents raw untapped energy in our bodies. This imagery of a coiled snake comes from Hindu philosophy and is first mentioned in the Upanishads. The objective of this practice is to ‘uncoil’ and activate this energy through a series of poses, pranayama, sounds, and meditation.