Are you wondering if yoga is right for you?  Perhaps some of the things you’ve heard have confused you or put you off giving it a go.The first thing to understand is that there are many different styles of yoga, ranging from gentle and meditative to highly athletic and physically demanding.  And within these different styles, or schools of yoga, you will also find a diversity of teaching approaches.

So a good place to start is to understand your goals.  What are you hoping to achieve through your yoga practice?  Are you looking for a good work out and a way to lose weight? Increase your flexibility and injury resistance? Or perhaps your goal is to manage stress and relieve anxiety?

Yoga can help you achieve all of these things (and more), but it’s important to choose the right type of class to meet your particular needs.

Chill Out

If you’re looking for a gentle stretch and relaxation opt for a beginner level Hatha or Restorative style of yoga class.

Hatha yoga at an intermediate or advanced level can be challenging and will build strength, balance, endurance and bring mental clarity, but in general it is a slower, more meditative style of class which will typically include a guided relaxation session (Yoga Nidra) at the end of each class.

Yoga Nidra is purely relaxation yoga using breath and visualisation.  It is generally taught as part of a Hatha class, however you will sometimes see it taught as a stand-alone session.

Hatha classes will often incorporate elements of the broader yoga philosophy and spirituality.

Work Out

If you want a good work out or weight loss, a faster, more athletic Ashtanga or Vinyasa style of yoga class may be a better option.  Ashtanga classes are based on system of six asana (posture) series which get progressively more challenging as students develop.  I.e. Ashtanga series 1 will be the same series of postures every class, moving the Ashtanga series 2 as you progress.

Power Yoga is a more recent, westernised variation based on the Ashtanga series.

One of the criticisms of this type of yoga is that there is little chance for students to learn correct postures as classes move very quickly and instructors have little opportunity to assist participants.  Classes are generally devoid of any spiritual component and pretty light on the relaxation element.

Sweat it Out

Bikram and Barkan are two styles of hot yoga available in Adelaide.  They are both fast, flowing styles of yoga taught in a heated room (37-40 degrees), requiring a reasonable degree of fitness.  Bikram is an international franchise and uses the same sequence of 26 asanas (postures) for every class.  Barkan classes incorporate a wider range of postures.

As with the Ashtanga and Vinyasa classes move quickly and students are given little guidance on correct posture.  The heated conditions also allow muscles to relax more quickly which can result in injury because people are inclined to over-estimate their flexibility.

Stretch it Out

Iyengar yoga emphasises technique and endurance.  In an Iyengar style yoga class poses are typically held much longer than in other schools of yoga, so that students can pay close attention to the precise muscular and skeletal alignment this system demands.  Classes often incorporate the use of props such as belts, chairs, blocks, and blankets, to help students achieve the postures and accommodate any injuries or structural imbalances.

It is a demanding form of yoga, however practitioners usually receive a high degree of support and guidance from teachers.

Shop Around

In addition to the different yoga styles available, each teacher will bring something unique to a class.  My suggestion is to try attending a few different classes, and you’ll quickly discover the right style and the right teacher to suit your needs.

On a final note, most styles of yoga require some level of physical conditioning.  If you have never undertaken an exercise program or if you have an existing health problem visit your doctor before you sign up for a class.  Regardless of which yoga path you pursue, a beginners or foundation yoga course is a good idea to help you understand the basic postures and breathing techniques.