If you’re a person who has finally committed to taking the plunge and starting some yoga classes, you have probably done some online research to find out more about what’s involved. This may have gotten your head spinning, given the fact that there are so many different varieties of yoga you might choose to practice.

The good news is that it might be very helpful to include several different types of yoga into your regular practice, as a means of maintaining optimal balance with mind and body. Certainly in the beginning, it will be helpful to try several different studios to find out which form of yoga suits you best, before you commit to any one kind.

Below is a rundown of several of the most popular types of yoga classes, and this should be enough to get you headed in the right direction.

Types of Yoga Classes

Don’t be intimidated by the sheer number of forms that Yoga can take and that you might become involved in because the truth is any one of them will certainly do you a world of good. The real issue is just finding a specific type of yoga that really appeals to you, and one that you can commit to on a regular basis. Here are some of the current most popular types of Yoga that you might want to choose from:

• Hatha yoga – this form of yoga is all about the basics, and it will show you how to hold each of the poses for several breaths. This is considered one of the more gentle forms of yoga, and it’s a great starter class if you are new to the practice of yoga.
• Vinyasa yoga – this is a more dynamic type of yoga that couples breathing and movements in a more active kind of practice. You probably won’t spend much time on any specific pose in this type of class, and since the pace can be fairly rapid, be prepared for a more vigorous workout.
• Iyengar yoga – this form of yoga involves very precise posing, and makes use of blankets, straps, yoga blocks, and nearby walls in order to increase your range of motion. This form of yoga involves poses that are held for a longer period of time and is more detailed.
• Ashtanga yoga – this is a very challenging form of yoga primarily consisting of six different series of poses. Each one of these series will cause you to flow and breathe so as to ratchet up your body involvement. All classes will perform the same poses in the same order, and this makes it possible to adhere to a set routine and fairly strict guidelines.
• Bikram yoga – there are 26 poses associated with this form of yoga, as well as some breathing exercises, all of which take place in a room heated to 105 degrees. You’ll have the same 90-minute routine each time, and the session itself will probably feel quite strenuous because of the heat.
• Hot yoga – similar to Bikram Yoga in that it’s done in a heated room, Hot yoga is not limited to the 26 poses which characterize Bikram. The warmth will probably allow you to get deeper into poses because your muscles will be more relaxed, so you have to guard against exceeding your capabilities.