Best Type of Yoga for Beginners

Did you know that there are over 800 variations and styles of yoga? If you new to yoga or looking to start practicing it can be hard to decide which yoga style is best for beginners. There are many different yoga practices and they all have their own set of benefits. choosing the right yoga style of a beginner will have to depend on your fitness level and the goals you wish to achieve with yoga. I'll give you a quick rundown on the most popular yoga styles and the benefits you can expect to achieve.As you read, think about which one of these sounds the most appealing to you.

Hatha Yoga for Stress Relief

Hatha yoga is very straight forward. The poses are basic and the pace is unhurried. You don't have to worry about falling behind or not going fast enough. You will simply transition from one pose to the next. This type of yoga can include props to get you in the correct form. Props may include blocks and bolsters. You will also be encouraged to focus on meditation, breathing, and relaxation. Hatha yoga is amazing for stress. In fact, a study found that women that practice this style of yoga once or twice weekly recover from stress quicker than those who don't. If you are just starting out and simply want to ease into yoga, then Hatha yoga is right for you and you can find all the supplies you need at the Yoga Outlet or at Brighter Yoga.View Hatha Yoga Classes

Yin Yoga for Relaxation

This yoga requires you to move slowly from pose to pose and much of the poses are seated of laying down. Poses are gentle and often will require you to stay in the pose for three to five minutes at a time. You'll get lots of stretching and much of the attention will be focused on breathing and relaxation. This style of yoga is said to activate the part of your nervous system that helps alleviate stress and pain. You can expect meditation music to be played and lots of attention on chakras (centers of spiritual energy).Yin and Relaxation Yoga Classes

Ashtanga and Power Yoga for Weight Loss

This type of yoga combines yoga with a cardio session and is for those looking to break a sweat. In fact, they can help you burn up to 500 calories per hour! This yoga is meant to generate heat within your body and you should be prepared to sweat! Ashtanga yoga will start out with chanting and then you will follow a sequence of poses that will remain consistent. In Power yoga these poses will vary each time and there usually is not a spiritual aspect attached.View Ashtanga and Power yoga classes

Bikram/Hot Yoga for Flexibility and Detoxification

Hot yoga is the style that I've seen get a lot of traction lately. I would not recommend this style to those that are just starting out. This type of yoga is practiced in heated rooms over 95 degrees and humidity upwards of 40%. If you are not familiar with your body it can be dangerous to your health. To practice Hot yoga you must be properly hydrated and consume the right amount and mix of nutrients. Be prepared to sweat! For those completely new to yoga, I would recommend going a different route.

Vinyasa for Dance and Speed

Vinyasa will be fast and you won't be spending much time on each pose. The movements will flow and breath in a dance like fashion. The pace can be on the quicker side so you can also expect to break a sweat. If you as a runner or endurance athlete you will probably enjoy this style of Yoga the most.Vinyasa Yoga Classes

Yoga Class Cost?

Now that we have an idea of our options lets go over the cost of doing yoga. The cost of yoga classes can vary depending on city, instructor or location of your class. Some classes can run from $20 to $120 per session but don't let that discourage you. There are other options. There are many yoga programs that allow you to experience all the benefits of yoga but at your own pace and even in the comfort of your own home. If you are looking to sample a variety of styles and then settle on the one that fits you best I would suggest heading over to LiveYogaLife.com for the best variety of yoga styles.If you would like to learn more about how to get started with yoga you can check out my Ultimate Yoga Guide for Beginners. If you are interested in Yoga to practice within the comfort of your own home, have a look at my Top 5 At-Home Yoga Programs.