The 3 Most Popular Types of Yoga

Summary: Yoga is a wide concept and has much to offer. The types and forms of yogic science are many, but with this article, get to know about the three popular yoga types.

Learning the holistic art of yoga isn’t only about stretching, contorting, bending or breathing techniques. Yoga is beyond this, it is about the mind, body, emotions, and of course, getting familiarized with the spiritual being. Yoga brings awareness, ignites inner conscience, and makes us more connected with our true self to the core. Yoga is for all and is more of a way of living that has different hues and great self- transformative vibrations.

Considering the fact that learning about yoga types is essential to take the right path towards self-exploration, the same helps you while you delve deeper into the practice with Yoga teacher training in India.

Types of Yoga

There are various styles of yoga but Hatha and Ashtanga are considered to be the classical and traditional styles from where the other yoga forms have been thriving. You will be benefited a lot by learning and practicing any yoga form, but the given below styles or types cover all the aspects including the body, mind, emotions and spirit. Even when you take a step ahead for availing profound yogic knowledge with 200 Hour yoga teacher training in Rishikesh, India, you get to learn deeply about them.

So let’s learn about the three most popular types of yoga.

Hatha Yoga - Slow paced and a great form to begin the practice.

Hatha is one familiarized term for even those who are new to the mat and must have read and heard about the term often. Hatha is the classical and traditional form of yoga and describes all the physical yoga practices. It is a slow-paced form of yoga exercise accompanied with breathing techniques and asanas. Hatha yoga uses the asanas and the breathing technique (pranayama) to bring peace to the body and the mind and also prepare the body for spiritual practices like meditation.

Hatha activates the chakras to stimulate the Kundalini in order to promote physical and spiritual wellness.

Ashtanga Yoga – Sage Patanjali outlined Ashtanga Yoga as ‘eight-limbed yoga’ in the Yoga Sutras.

Ashtanga is another classical form of yoga but is more of an intensive version. It is definitely a good choice for those who are considering more challenging and well-structured session of yoga. Ashtanga yoga connects the body’s movements with the breath with its set of six series movement. There are certain key principles of Ashtanga Yoga including breath, drishti, bandhas, vinyasa, and daily practice. During the practice, you need to memorize the series and keep the practice in a flow going from one pose to another.

As mentioned, Ashtanga is challenging and rigorous where each sequence has different characteristics and focuses on the different aspects of the body. It is advised to perform it under the guidance of an experienced instructor.

Kundalini Yoga - Encounter with the spiritual being

One of the oldest forms of yoga, Kundalini is an amazing practice for those who wish to explore the spiritual side of yoga profoundly. Along with the physical training, you get an opportunity to participate in a bit of chanting and meditation. The practice helps to awaken the energy channels at the base of the spine and pull it upward through the body by increasing the sensory awareness.

Kundalini focuses on both poses and breathing as the poses of the yoga style is performed together using certain techniques of breathing. The sequence in Kundalini called Kriyas is done rapidly and repetitively. Kundalini is a mental and spiritual activity and is known as the yoga of awareness.

These are the three most popular yoga types you start your practice with. A deeper exploration of the types gives you a clearer and better understanding of their purpose.

Manmohan Singh is a passionate Yogi and a Yoga Teacher. He provides yoga teacher training in India.