What Yoga Style is For You?

Yoga is an ancient practice originating in India which embodies a myriad of styles, each with their own distinctive essence and benefits. What type of yoga style is best, is really dependent on a few things; what you’re wanting to get out of your practice, whether you’re a beginner or advanced yogi and of course finding the right class style that suits your lifestyle and schedule. There’s no one style of yoga that is better than others, it all depends on individual preferences, goals, and physical capabilities.

Ultimately, all types of yoga have their own benefits, from improving posture and balance, reducing stress, increasing mindfulness, and building strength. Let’s delve into the different styles of yoga, all available here at our Gold Coast yoga studio, so you can feel more confident in choosing a style that might suit you.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga focuses on deep stretching and relaxation by holding poses for extended periods. This practice helps target and release connective tissue, often focusing on the lower part of the body, including the hips, pelvis, inner thighs, and lower spine. The practice encourages individuals to find stillness in each pose, allowing time for the body to relax and gradually release tension. 

Breath awareness and mindfulness play integral roles in Yin Yoga. Deep, slow breathing aids in relaxation and enhances the practitioner's ability to delve deeper into the stretches. 

Yin Yoga is renowned for its benefits in improving flexibility, releasing deep-seated tension, and stimulating the flow of energy throughout the body. It complements more dynamic yoga practices and other physical activities by targeting the deeper connective tissues that are often overlooked. Yin yoga can be great for active people, to release tight muscles and tissue that are activated during regular workouts, and is also great for those who spend a lot of the day sitting, to release tension from their hips and lower back.

Slow Flow (Asana) Yoga

Slow Flow yoga amalgamates gentle movements and breathwork, synchronising them in a slower-paced practice. By blending meditation, strengthening, and flexibility exercises Slow Flow yoga aids in stress reduction and enhances mindfulness. Slow flow can be a great choice for beginners, or those returning to exercise from injuries, due to the gentle nature of movements.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa Yoga is similar to Slow Flow yoga, in that they share many of the same movements. However Vinyasa yoga is a more dynamic practice, with faster-paced sequences of poses, all synced with breath. The continuous movements and transitions between poses is designed to increase heat and build strength. You may also find a few head stands, or inversions in your practices. Therefore, this more energetic form of yoga is best for those that have had some experience with the poses, through Slow Flow classes, and are ready to take their practice to the next level with a more vigorous workout, that still gives a great dose of mindfulness.

Restorative Yoga

If life has felt a bit chaotic of late, or you feel like you just need a really good nap, you might want to consider booking yourself in for a Restorative yoga class. Here you can expect to engage in gentle, supported yoga poses using props such as bolsters, blankets, blocks, and straps. These props aid in providing optimal comfort and support for the body, so you can fully release into each pose, without holding any tension in your muscles.

With its great focus on relaxation and, as the name implies, restoration, you’ll experience tension release and cultivate deep relaxation, making it suitable for individuals recovering from injuries, dealing with chronic stress, or seeking a gentle practice to unwind.

Asana Yoga

Asana Yoga, often synonymous with the physical practice of yoga, brings to mind images of many movies, reality-tv shows and celebrities donning their yoga gear. But Asana Yoga is much more than the latest trend in celebrity fitness – through its concentration on perfecting poses and alignment, emphasising posture, strength, and balance, individuals can see improved overall physical fitness, more body awareness, and a deeper understanding of poses.

Pranayama Yoga

Pranayama Yoga is the practice of controlling and regulating the breath. As our breath is our ultimate life-source, this practice provides numerous health benefits, including stress-reduction and benefits in stress related conditions such as hypertension, insomnia and anxiety disorder). It also provides enhanced respiratory function, balances energy, regulates emotions and can help boost your immune system.

Through the practice of various breathing techniques, Pranayama harnesses the breath's power to enhance vitality and mental clarity. Individuals looking to enhance their breathing patterns, reduce anxiety, and improve overall well-being find Pranayama beneficial. You’ll find an element of Pranayama yoga integrated into many of our different yoga classes, often at the beginning of your class to help bring focus and ground you before you begin your practice, or within our meditation classes.

So which style of yoga should you choose?

While all yoga styles share the goal of holistic wellness, their methods and emphases vary significantly. Selecting the suitable yoga style depends on individual preferences, goals, and physical abilities. Factors such as desired intensity, preference for meditation or movement, and personal health conditions should guide the choice. Tailoring the practice to meet specific needs ensures maximum benefits and a fulfilling yoga journey.

If you’ve never tried yoga before, we suggest starting with a Slow Flow or Asana Yoga class and building up to a class such as Vinyasa. Yin, Restorative and Pranayama Yoga are great for any experience level, as they promote a harmonious body and restoring of optimal health.

The multitude of yoga styles available presents a diverse range of practices, each catering to distinct preferences and goals. Understanding these styles empowers individuals to choose a practice aligning with their physical, mental, and spiritual requirements, fostering a harmonious and enriching yoga journey. Want to try out a few different classes to see which style of yoga you like the best? Grab our 5-class pass for just $50, to our Cornerstone yoga, Pilates & barre studio, conveniently located in Tugun, Gold Coast, just a stone's throw from Burleigh Heads and Palm Beach Currumbin. We can’t wait to see you there.