There are many styles of yoga for various fitness levels and personalities, so don’t fret if someone recommends a specific type—say Power Yoga—and you discover it isn’t your thing! You'll find something that suits your needs, whether your goal is a better body, improved flexibility, a calmer mind or any other or maybe all of the above. If one type isn't working for you, try another. You can even switch from time to time.

When my fiancé Wade injured his back in a Vinyasa class, it forced him to slow down in his practice. But instead of not practicing at all, he sought out restorative and yin classes for three months, which kept up his flexibility, expedited the healing of his back, and most importantly it kept his mind free of stress. He was grateful to have the option of getting his yoga buzz from a different style of yoga.

All seven types of yoga I've described will give you that “feel good” effect--the thing that keeps you wanting to come back for more. With a daily yoga practice, this “feel good” feeling can become so pervasive that it will act as a catalyst for change in other areas of your life. When you feel good about yourself, it makes a positive impact on the choices you make surrounding food, exercise and how you treat yourself. The results will show in all aspects of your life.

Ashtanga, Power and Vinyasa

These high-powered yoga styles appeal to type A personalities with lots of energy--people who like to work hard and be challenged. A session in one of these styles will flow from pose to pose, focusing on strength, flexibility and endurance, using the ujjayi breath to help increase the intensity. Even though I feel these styles of yoga can be for everyone, not everyone wants their yoga to be so intense and all-consuming.

Hatha and Iyengar

These styles of yoga tend to appeal to people who want to learn the fundamentals of yoga postures. These classes move more slowly than the power-based classes, and teachers place a large emphasis on postural alignment, which is good for the beginner student and anyone wanting to deepen their yoga practice. You may not sweat as much doing these styles of yoga, but if you're a beginner, this may be the better choice because you will learn proper form so you don't get hurt.

Restorative and Yin

These classes focus on holding poses for longer periods of time, with an emphasis on deep breathing, surrender and relaxation. These types of yoga are good for people who need to de-stress, relax, or are rehabilitating an injury. Lying in a supported posture for longer periods of time can be the perfect complement to other forms of exercise, like that Vinyasa class you took yesterday.

When establishing your practice, remember that a little yoga goes a very long way! Even 10 minutes a day, is better than not practicing at all. So if you can’t make a 90-minute class, roll out your mat at home, light a candle, put on some music and do the postures your body is craving.

Your mind, body and spirit will thank you for taking even a tiny bit of time to help them center, heal and be in the moment.

Yoga Homework:

After doing 3 Sun Salutation A’s 

(last week’s homework), flow thru this series of standing poses to increase strength, flexibility and the ability to relax.

(Hold each pose, five ujjayi breaths)

> Triangle pose on the right side, repeat on the left side.

> Twisting Triangle on the right side, repeat on the left side.

> Side Angle Stretch on the right, repeat on then the left side.

> Revolved Side Angle Stretch on the right, repeat on the left side.

Repeat the series 3 times and always take time for a five-minute (minimum) Savasana .

Namaste’

Learn more about yoga styles .