Despite its origin as a niche practice in ancient India, yoga has grown to massive levels of popularity worldwide.
Yet, many people know very little about it. Is it just stretching? Is it exercise?
Modern yoga has taken a particular focus on hatha yoga and the practice of asana, but the original beliefs as codified by Patanjali in his Yoga Sutras are far more wide reaching.
To get the full benefit, one should practice all eight limbs of yoga. There exists few practices more powerful in the development of one’s life energy than yoga. Even if you don’t believe in life energy, yoga can spark profound positive changes in your life.
Here we explore 15 popular types of yoga and discuss their history, methods, and the risks and benefits of each. Explore the information on our site and let it inspire you to further develop your holistic health and push you to develop your mind, body, and soul.
Ashtanga yoga is a yoga practice developed by K. Pattabhi Jois and has grown to be one of the most popular styles with numerous offshoots. Learn more...
Bikram yoga is a style of hot yoga focusing on a core of 26 asanas. Due to the exploits of founder Choudhury Bikram, it has been surrounded in controversy. Learn more...
Hatha yoga is a catch-all term for many forms of yoga, but specifically refers to a varied traditional form practiced for hundreds of years. Learn more...
Iyengar yoga is a style of yoga with a strong focus on proper alignment and form. It often uses props to help facilitate this. Learn more...
Jivamukti yoga is a hip yoga lifestyle started in New York City by Sharon Gannon and David Life that has met some controversy. Learn more...
Karma yoga is the yoga of action. It focuses on doing things without concern for personal gain, often to the benefit of others. Learn more...
Kriya yoga is a meditation-based practice popularized by Paramahansa Yogananda that can help one reach spiritual enlightenment. Learn more...
Kundalini yoga is a spiritual practice meant to unlock the serpent power that lies dormant in the Muladhara, or root chakra. Learn more...
Power yoga describes a general modern yoga practice based on Ashtanga yoga with a particular focus on physical fitness and health. Learn more...
Pranava yoga is often called Om or Aum yoga. Its main focus is meditating upon the symbol or chanting of this powerful word and mantra. Learn more...
Raja yoga is considered the purest form of yoga, based up on a number of ancient texts and strict adherence to all eight limbs of yoga. Learn more...
Restorative yoga is a slow form of yoga that focuses on holding poses for long periods of time often using props for proper positioning. Learn more...
Vinyasa yoga is a term used to describe a variety of yoga styles that utilize continuous movement instead of holding positions for long periods. Learn more...
Yin yoga is a type of hatha yoga mixed with daoist philosophy that focuses on the holding of asanas for longer periods of time without props. Learn more...
Zen yoga is a holistic yoga practice that blends together hatha yoga with an increased focus on Buddhist philosophies. Learn more...
