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I am A Beginner. What Yoga Style Should I Choose?

Asana. Pranayama. Namaste. The language of yoga can boggle the mind of the most enthusiastic new yoga student. Sometimes it can even make it hard to choose which style of yoga to practice. After all, we know what weightlifting is, but, unless you speak Hindu or Sanskrit, you may not know what Kripalu yoga is.

This guide will help you determine the right school of yoga for you. The style you choose depends on what kind of results you want and your current fitness level. But rest assured that whether you’re recuperating from an illness or looking for a bikini-ready body, there’s a style that suits your needs.

Here are five yoga styles suitable for novices:

Kripalu yoga is a gentle style that’s perfect for beginners. This form takes a well-rounded approach to the practice: it develops physical abilities, like flexibility and strength, but it also develops the mind. Kripalu yoga also teaches proper breathing and relaxation techniques.

Ananda yoga is another gentle style that places a great deal of emphasis on physical and mental development. The name ananda means bliss and is the goal of its students. One of the hallmarks of this style is its use affirmations. Think of affirmations as encouraging words that are meant to be absorbed into the subconscious. An affirmation, for example, might be 'I will be loving and kind to everyone I meet today' or 'I will learn from my mistakes and be successful'. Ananda yoga students are also taught that relaxation is necessary to build self-awareness.

Svaroopa yoga focuses on the reduction of both physical and mental tension. Students of this style, also called restorative yoga, learn to relax muscles, especially those around the spine, which can be the source of tension-related aches and pains. The body is supported by props or aides that help develop balance and encourage relaxation. For example, you might place a rolled up blanket under the arch of the back to support the body in a bridge pose. Svaroopa yoga is perfect for beginning students as well as those living with conditions such as multiple sclerosis (MS) or Parkinson’s disease.

Power Yoga, If you want to slink into a hot new bikini or wow your date with six-pack abs, consider power yoga. Developed by two American yoga teachers, this style focuses on increasing strength, fitness, and flexibility, making it perfect for those interested in losing weight and toning the body. Power yoga classes are frequently offered through gyms and martial arts schools.

Bikram, or hot yoga, is another physically intense style. Why is it called 'hot?' Practitioners typically train in rooms heated to about 100 degrees Fahrenheit in order to keep muscles warm and supple, allowing students to work the body into deeper poses. Some believe the high temperatures also allow the body to sweat out toxins. Like power yoga, Bikram focuses more on physical development and less on mental development than other styles. Burning up to 600 calories per session, it teaches a series of twenty-six challenging poses that stretch tendons and ligaments while increasing muscle mass. Bikram yoga is a great choice for those who are already fit and for those who want to see faster results. Because this is vigorous workout practiced in a heated room, this style is not recommended for pregnant women.

When deciding on a yoga program, whether it’s in a formal setting or on a DVD, look for a class designed for beginners. As with any exercise, you may need to seek advice from a health care professional if you have an illness or medical condition.

Regardless of which yoga style you choose, remember that you may find some of the movements and poses to be challenging at first. Your yoga practice, much like life, will be a work in progress. Don’t compare yourself to other members of the class. Focus solely on your own postures and breathing.

As a beginner, you may find your feet fumbling while you move into Warrior pose or you may feel your mind scrambling to come up with dinner plans during mediation. Don’t be discouraged. Each time you move into a posture or chant om you will get a little better at it. Over time, you’ll become more comfortable with the movements and more comfortable with yourself