Styles of Yoga

Hatha

Hatha yoga is a generic term that refers to any type of yoga that teaches physical postures. Nearly every type of yoga class taught in the West is Hatha yoga. When a class is marketed as Hatha, it generally means that you will get a gentle introduction to the most basic yoga postures. You probably won't work up a sweat in a hatha yoga class, but you should end up leaving class feeling longer, looser, and more relaxed.

Vinyasa

Vinyasa means "to place in a special way" and in this case yoga postures. Vinyasa is the most athletic yoga style. Vinyasa was adapted from Ashtanga yoga in the 1980s. In Vinyasa classes, the movement is coordinated with your breath and movement to flow from one pose to another. Many types of yoga can also be considered Vinyasa flows such as Ashtanga and power yoga. Vinyasa styles can vary depending on the teacher, and there can be many different types of poses in different sequences.No two vinyasa classes are the same. If you love to test your physical limits, vinyasa may be just your ticket

Yin

Yin yoga is a meditative practice that allows your body to become comfortable in a pose without doing any work (strength). It is also called Taoist yoga, and focuses on lengthening the connective tissues within the body. It is meant to compliment Yang yoga, or muscle-forming yoga practices. The poses are held with the muscles fully relaxed, allowing time and gravity to deepen the stretch and target the fascia. The time spent holding these asanas is similar to meditation.

If Yang is active, then Yin is passive, meaning the muscles are allowed to relax with gravity and rest. This is usually performed with the assistance of props, and there is little or no music in class.

Kundalini

Kundalini is equal parts spiritual and physical. This style is all about releasing the kundalini energy in your body said to be trapped, or coiled, in the lower spine. These classes really work your core and breathing with fast-moving, invigorating postures and breath exercises. These classes are pretty intense and can involve chanting, mantra, and meditation

Paddleboard Yoga

Practicing yoga on an unsteady surface like a paddleboard, really engages the core muscles in order to maintain balance. SUP yoga also requires intense focus because transitioning between poses requires concentration to keep the board steady. 

Boards are tied to an anchoring system ISYA approved so they are all lined up in the same way mats are laid out in a yoga studio. A series of low to gravity poses such as seated and laying down are done on the boards which activate the core muscles and stabilising muscles in the hips and legs. A great full body work out, yet each class ends with a blissful floating relaxation which is extremely calming.