Undoubtedly yoga has its origin from India and as Indians, we are proud of it. But yoga is no longer limited to India only. Here I’m discussing the top 10 types of yoga practiced all over the world along with their respective significance. If you are someone who is thinking about trying yoga for the first time then knowing the types of yoga will resolve your question of where to begin.

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10 Types of Yoga are:

1. Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga style is considered as the athletic style of yoga. As in this form of yoga, the movements of the body are coordinated with the breath to flows from one move to another.

Vinyasa yoga was adapted in the 1980s from the ashtanga yoga (another type of yogic practice discussed later in this article)

Significance

Vinyasa means “to place particularly”. In Vinyasa Yoga, there are different types of poses placed in a sequence.  It is also called flow yoga as postures are linked to each other or flowed from one posture to another.

2. Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga was founded by B.K.S. Iyengar. This form of yoga focuses on the precise movements of the body. You will not find yourself jumping in the Iyengar yoga session but feel incredibly relaxed after the class.

Significance

In Iyengar yoga, you will hold the pose until every minute detail of the pose adjusted in a particular way. This type of yoga is great for people who need to work on their injuries slowly and methodically.

3. Hatha yoga 

“Ha” implicit the SUN and “ta” means the MOON. Hatha yoga is an ancient yogic practice specially designed to balance the “Ida” and “Pingala” in the body. A balanced system is always free from physical and psychological ailments. Hatha yoga is a classic approach to bring this balance in the body.

Significance

Hatha yoga is a great way to enter into Yoga if you are a beginner as the pace of this form of yoga is slower than the other yogic styles. This type of yoga is a package of all the branches of yoga such as ashtanga yoga, Iyengar yoga, etc.

4. Kundalini Yoga

This type of yoga is all about releasing the kundalini energy, said to be trapped or coiled in the lower spine. Kundalini yoga practice is fairly spiritual and physical, as it channelizes the energy from the base of the spine to upward direction through chakras.

Significance

Kundalini yogic kriyas are designed to raise the complete awareness of the body, nervous system, and mind to handle the energy of rising kundalini. This type of Yoga includes selective pressurization on the body meridians which directs the flow of kundalini energy from the lower centers to the higher centers of the body.

5. Yin-yoga

Yin yoga is a slow-paced yoga incorporated with sitting postures held for comparatively long periods.

Significance

Yin yoga targets the connective tissues between the muscles and deep fascia throughout the body. It enhances the flexibility and regulates the energy flow of the body. 

6. Prenatal yoga 

Prenatal yoga is specifically tailored for the “Moms to be”. It is a multifaceted approach that uplifts flexibility in the pelvic region and ensures to help mothers prepares for labor.

Significance

Prenatal yoga acts as a support to the changes that happen in a pregnant body. Exercising some low impact poses during pregnancy under proper precaution is a gentle way of keeping the body active. It focuses on the women body to increase strength which results in the following advantages:

• Decrease lower back pain
• Decrease headache
• Reduces the risk of preterm labor
• lowers the risk of intrauterine growth system
• Improve sleep

7. Bikram Yoga

This type of yoga is named after Bikram Choudhury and widely known as hot yoga. In Bikram yoga, the sequence of the set is performed typically at 40% humidity. The sequence consists of 26 basic postures with each performed twice. Bikram Yoga is essentially practiced with the heat turned up.

Significance

There is scientific evidence that Bikram yoga has both therapeutic and preventative benefits. Conditions such as depression, insomnia, high/low blood pressure, thyroid, and weight issues are significantly improved with regular and consistent practice of Bikram yoga.

8. Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga means “eight”. It is founded by K. Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga yoga works upon the eight limbs of yoga namely 

• Yamas (External disciplines)
• Niyama (Internal disciplines)
• Asana (Posture)
• Pranayam (Breath-control)
• Pratyahara (Withdrawal of senses)
• Dharana (Concentration)
• Dhyana (Meditative absorption)
• Samadhi (Union, integration)

Significance

This physically demanding practice synchronizes the movements and breath to produce heat in the system which eventually purifies the system. Ashtanga Yoga works on the core of the body and builds strength.

9. Anusara Yoga

Anusara Yoga is a modern-day version of yoga resembling Vinyasa and Hatha yoga collectively. It is founded by John Friend. Its main focus is the mind-body-heart connection and alignments like Vinyasa Yoga.

Significance

Anusara Yoga is based on the universal principals of alignment and emphasizes heart-opening yoga poses.

10. Jivamukti Yoga

Jivamukti Yoga was founded by Sharon Ganin and David’s life in 1984. This form of Yoga infuses the Hindu spiritual teachings.

Significance

At its core, Jivamukti yoga finds expressions in connection with the earth. The devotees of this type of yoga follow vegetarian philosophy. The sessions include the chanting at the beginning followed by the postures that set the whole vibe of the class.

So, here we finish top ten types of yoga, I hope you enjoyed reading the significance of each. you can also read the benefits of yoga here or go through the series of yoga awareness. the SOLE PURPOSE of writing about the types of yoga is to generate yoga awareness only. It is recommended to start any type of yoga under the guidance of a verified yoga teacher only.