There are many styles and types of yoga classes available, ranging from physically demanding lessons, like Ashtanga Yoga, to restorative, gentle-flow classes, like Anusrara Yoga.

Here, we look at three popular styles: Sivananda, Iygenar, and Bikram Yoga.

What does yoga mean?

The word ‘yoga’ has its origin in the Sanskrit word “yuj” which means yoke, union, union. Traditionally, “yoga” was seen as a way to achieve physical and spiritual balance in your life.

What is yoga?

A typical class consists of various exercises and techniques that encourage you to release stress and tension from your body and promote a sense of inner calm and wholeness in your spirit. Most classes consist of a series of yoga exercises known as “asanas”, breathing exercises, known as pranayama, relaxation techniques and, in some classes, meditation and chanting.

What are the different types of yoga?

Traditionally, there is only one “type” of yoga which is ha ha yoga. Hatha yoga is the generic term, however within this broad term there are variations of styles and schools of yoga. “Hatha”, a Sanskrit word, means the union of the moon and the sun. “Ha” represents the sun or masculine active principle and “tha” refers to the moon or feminine receptive principle. This union, creating balance between the internal and external, strenuous and restorative aspects of our body, underpins all types of yoga.

Three Popular Types of Yoga

As mentioned above, in this article we look at three popular types of yoga, Sivananda, Iygenar and Bikram Yoga.

one. Sivananda Yoga

Sivananda Yoga is considered one of the more traditional forms of yoga and is generally considered a gentle to moderate practice with an emphasis on the more spiritual side of yoga.

Founded by Swami Sivananda (1887-1963), Sivananda Yoga consists of the Sun Salutation, breathing exercises, chanting, and twelve basic yoga postures. The teachings are based on five key precepts that Swami Sivananda believes improve his physical health and emotional well-being. These five key teachings are proper exercise (yoga), proper breathing, proper relaxation, proper diet (vegetarianism), and positive thinking and meditation.

2. Iygenar Yoga

Iygenar Yoga was founded by Sri BKS Iygenar (b. 1918) and is a very popular style practiced in the West. In Iygenar Yoga emphasis is placed on the anatomy and postural/structural alignment of the body in the poses. Props (such as sandbags, straps, blocks, and meat) are also used to support you in the pose. Sri Iygenar wrote the classic book “Light in Yoga”.

3. bikram yoga

Bikram Yoga has to be the most well known type of yoga practiced today. Founded by Bikram Choudhury (b. 1946), Bikram Yoga is practiced in a room heated to 105 degrees Fahrenheit. Classes are 90 minutes long and consist of a series of 26 poses, beginning with standing poses, backbends, forward bends and twists, and two breathing exercises.

In closing, although there are many types of yoga, all schools fall under the generic term “hatha yoga.” Regardless of which type you practice – Sivanada, Iygenar or Bikram – the goal is the same: to improve your health and achieve a sense of inner harmony and balance.