“I don’t like yoga” is a saying that I’ve heard people tell me. My question to them is what yoga have you tried? And the response I get is a blank stare. Some people are unfamiliar with the different styles of yoga and I am here to help you distinguish the differences between them. If you say you don’t like yoga then I truly believe you haven’t found the yoga for you. The style of yoga I enjoy is vinyasa with a dash of power. The type of yoga where you get a good sweaty workout and still honour the traditions of yoga by setting intentions and turning inward with a relaxing savasana. Who doesn’t love savasana?!

Vinyasa is a style of yoga. The best way I can describe vinyasa in my own words is that it’s like an elegant dance where your body takes many different shapes. Vinyasa is a very flowy style of yoga where your breath guides your movement. Every movement you make is done on an inhale or an exhale. “To place in a special way” is a term I learned in my yoga teacher training and I think that defines vinyasa beautifully.

Typically a vinyasa teacher first guides their students through a sequence they have created at a slow pace where you hold poses for three to five breaths. This allows the body to melt deeper into the pose and gear up for what is planned ahead. The poses chosen for a sequence are intentional that often lead to a peak pose. A vinyasa teacher does not always lead their students to a peak pose however, I enjoy this type of sequencing because I like working toward a specific goal. Some vinyasa classes may incorporate core work or added stretching instead of a peak pose.

The second and/or third time flowing through the sequence is letting your own breath be the guide. One breath to one movement. Breath to movement asana (poses) is performed at a quicker pace to generate heat in the body. Ultimately your own breath is guiding your movement so you can move as slow or as quick as you would like. The vinyasa teacher is there to help guide your movement but listen to your body and move at your own pace. It is really spectacular to be in a room filled with bodies that are moving in tandem. The sound of everyone’s breath is like one big oceanic wave where you almost get lost in the dance. It is bliss.

Vinyasa classes can be foundational, which is great for beginner’s. Keep in mind we should all have the beginner mindset. I love me a good foundational flow as it is both grounding and rewarding. Intermediate, Elevated, Power Yoga are all variations of vinyasa styled classes.

Other common types of yoga are Hatha, which is a slow moving class where poses are held longer than five breaths. Hatha focuses on stretching and meditation and would be well suited for students who enjoy restorative yoga. A true restorative yoga class may only have five to six poses with a strong use of props to sink deep into the poses. Ashtanga yoga does breath to movement asana however, the main difference between Ashtanga and Vinyasa is that the poses are arranged the same way each time in an Ashtanga class. Ashtanga consists of six series called modified, primary, and four advanced series. Some people like the familiarity and repetition with ashtanga. Vinyasa sequences are constructed by the teacher themselves, which leaves lots of room for creativity. For me ashtanga feels less flowy since you work on one pose at a time rather than moving through a combination of poses to create a flowing sequence. Bikram yoga is yoga done in a hot environment. I have done vinyasa styled classes in hot studios before and loved it! This is typically called hot yoga. Bikram yoga consists of the same twenty six asana and two breathing techniques performed in the same order every class. Power yoga is wonderful for students looking to get their sweat on. It’s a less traditional form of yoga that is faster moving and builds on strength with less focus on meditation and chanting. Not all yoga classes integrate chanting it’s a personal preference. I don’t guide chants in my classes but I don’t dislike chanting.

I hope this clarified some of the different types of yoga. Whatever yoga you choose to practice remember we are all connected, we are all one and that is truly a beautiful thing. Namaste.

ps. If you would like to try one of my online vinyasa classes via zoom I would be overjoyed to guide you! Purchase one of my packages or classes using code BLOG10 and get 10% off. Or get a free yoga class by joining my inner circle of yogis through email!