5 Yoga Classes You MUST Try Now.

Hello there, future and current Yogis. As a long-time Yoga teacher. I often hear people say “ I want to try Yoga but I’m not flexible” or “I want to try Yoga but I’m not good at it”. To which I respond “ But that’s exactly why you SHOULD do Yoga”. In my humble opinion, there is no such thing as ‘being bad at Yoga”. It is called a Yoga PRACTISE for a reason. You practise to get better and to become more flexible overtime. 

Contrary to popular belief, Yoga is not a competition or a flexibility stand-off. Just like any other exercise format, it is designed to help you improve your overall-health and mental well-being. In addition to working with breath, meditation and strength. Moreover, there are many different types of Yoga to choose from tailored for various needs and personalities. 

I will not be discussing some of the more eclectic styles such as; Goat Yoga or Naked Yoga. I will however give you a run down of some of the more well known and beginner-friendly Yoga styles available.

1. Hatha Yoga   

Hatha Yoga is a slower pace Yoga practice, focusing on breath, alignment, strength and flexibility. This class is abundant with traditional Yoga Asanas, like your Downward-Facing-Dog, Warrior and Chair-Pose. It is beginner-friendly however, there are many options available for more seasoned Yogis to make it more challenging. 

Benefits:

• Relieves Stress
• Increases Flexibility
• Builds Strength
• Improves Balance

2. Vinyasa Yoga ( Flow Yoga)

Vinyasa Yoga is like Hatha Yoga’s fiery twin sister. The asanas are the same yet, the pace of the class is much faster. There are less brakes in between poses, creating an almost dance- like feeling to the flow. If you are searching for a Yoga practice with a significant cardio component, Vinyasa Yoga is for you. 

A typical Vinyasa class will include Sun Salutations, which is a specific sequence repeated throughout the class. I highly recommend learning this sequence before attending any in-person Vinyasa based classes. 

Benefits:

• Improves Heart Health
• Reduces Arterial Stiffness
• Lowers Blood Pressure
• Boosts Overall Mood

3. Kundalini Yoga 

Now this my friends, is a unique kind of Yoga style. In my experience people either love it or hate it, nonetheless it’s worth a shot. This intense Yoga practice is based on a series of Kriyas. A kriya is an intention set out for the class. A popular one is the 10 bodies Kriya, constructed to awaken the 10 bodies. A typical class will involve chanting, singing and powerful breath work. You may find yourself breathing from the depths of your core while holding your arms up for long periods of time. This practice will test your patience, but over time you will learn to love it. 

Benefits:

• Increased Alertness
• Better Concentration
• Improved Core Stability
• More Energy and Stamina

4. Yin Yoga

If you’re looking for a deep-delicious-stretch, Yin Yoga is the ticket. This class will lead you through a series of passive poses done on the floor, holding each position anywhere from one to eight minutes. Yin Yoga is based on the ancient Chinese tradition of Taoism, focusing on the Meridians such as; the liver, heart and lungs. It goes deep into the muscle, ligaments, fascia, bones and joints, while providing deep healing and relieving chronic pain.  

Benefits:

• Greater Flexibility
• Increased Range of Motion
• Deeper, Faster Sleep
• Aids Digestion

5. Laughter Yoga 

If I told you about a Yoga class with zero asanas, and a full hour of deep belly laughing, would you believe me? Yup, it exists and it’s amazing! Everyone needs at least one Laughter Yoga experience. The dopamine release alone is heavenly, not to mention the relationships one can benefit from building in this type of environment. It’s filled with breath work, clapping, light movement and contiguous laughter. 

Benefits:

• Infused Confidence Levels
• Empowerment
• Friendship
• Boosted Mood Levels

Conclusion:

All of the Yoga styles listed above, are fit for all levels and are a MUST try if you want to feel better. Don’t worry about lack of flexibility, athleticism or looking stupid, there is no such thing! Fitness should be fun.

If you have any comments, questions or would like to book an online yoga session with me, drop me a line at Martafitt2020@gmail.com

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