Which type of yoga is for me?

One of the most common comments I hear is “I tried yoga and I didn’t like it”, with reasoning falling into one of these categories:

• too fast
• too slow
• too sweaty
• too calm

But what if you just haven’t tried the right type of yoga for yourself? There are about 20 styles of yoga that are highly popular. Chances are, you’re just not taking the right yoga lesson! Here’s my quick breakdown of the most accessible styles of yoga:

• If you want slow, structured, safe yoga, try Iyengar yoga
• If you want a slow flow (usually 5 breaths per pose), try Hatha yoga
• If you already have a good foundation of basic poses, and like something faster, try Vinyasa yoga
• If you have a lot of energy and need to sweat, try Ashtanga yoga
• If you want to practice your breathing techniques, try Pranayama
• If you want to get a deep stretch, try Yin yoga
• If you want to  just lay on the ground and relax, try Restorative yoga
• If you have difficulty moving down to or up from the floor, try Chair yoga

When getting started, I suggest finding a yoga fundamentals course or working privately with a teacher who will pay attention to your individual needs. If that’s not an option for you, there are plenty of group lessons and online videos to try. Just remember to start slow and stay mindful of your body and its needs!

So, what type of yoga will you practice at Mindfully with Emily? Like many other instructors, I fuse different schools of yoga that resonate with me the most. I’ve trained in alignment-based yoga, Vinyasa, and Yin yoga, as well as Yoga Nidra. My approach focuses on your anatomy and how we can utilize various poses to strengthen and stretch, so you can feel great in your body.

Stay mindful,

Emily