Yoga Types

One of the most confusing elements of yoga are the number of different yoga types (or yoga styles) available to practice. The general term, 'yoga' simply refers to any set of practices (physical, mental, or spiritual) that one uses to gain enlightenment on some level. One can view the yoga types as a ladder of sorts with Haha yoga at the bottom (the common, physical stretching poses most are familiar with), and Raja yoga at the top (meditative practices, or 'union by mental mastery'). Newer forms of yoga that have developed in this new yoga world, are Power yoga and Acu-yoga, which may fall somewhere in between.

Of course, few schools in the west are strict about their adherence to any particular style and all of its rituals. Most schools or instructors may blend a number of yogic elements into their regime in order to create a more balanced or more customer-friendly style.

Some of the more common types of yoga are:

• power yoga

• pilates yoga

• hatha yoga

• bikram yoga

• relaxation yoga

• kundalini yoga

• kriya yoga

• iyengar yoga

• kripalu yoga

• ashtanga yoga

Finding the yoga type that best suites you is a matter of personal preference. For the basics, try Hatha yoga, for a more modern, gym-style approach, try power yoga. Above all find a style that you feel comfortable with. All yoga types will be beneficial on many different levels.