1. Hatha

Hatha yoga is one of the most common forms of yoga. Other branches of yoga have their roots in Hatha yoga including Ashtanga yoga, Bikram yoga, Kundalini yoga, etc.

• Purpose- Hatha yoga is a good system for beginners who want to learn more about the different postures and movements. The style is generally slow-paced with gentle movements that incoporate a lot of breath work (pranayama)
• Benefits- Relieves stress, improves your breathing, and provides low-impact exercise
• Good for- Beginners or individuals wanting to learn simple postures

2. Restorative

The name implies it all: yoga that restores your well-being. Restorative yoga is a good relaxation techniques that involves deep breathing exercises and postures.

• Purpose- Restorative yoga is used to help individuals connect with their minds and bodies in relaxing postures and deep breathing exercises. Individuals can expect working with different props and also poses that open up the chest area for breath work
• Benefits- Relieves stress, improves breathing, and provides low-impact exercise
• Good For- Beginners or individuals who want to relax after a long day

3. Vinyasa

Vinyasa yoga is a branch of Hatha yoga that involves similar beginner poses and breath work. However, Vinyasa focuses more on Sun Salutation, a series of 12 poses that work to align the breath with each movement.

• Purpose- To align the breath with each movement and to strengthen the muscles
• Benefits- Strengthens and tones  muscles, improves flexibility, and relieves stress, reduces risk for high blood pressure, type II diabetes, and heart disease
• Good for- Beginners and intermediates wanting to strengthen their bodies

4. Kundalini

Kundalini yoga incorporates breathing, meditation,  chanting (mantras), mudras, postures, and the chakra system. The Sanskrit word Kundalini means “coiled” or “wrapped” and this type of yoga is meant to tap into the coiled energy at the base of the spine. Through movements and breathing, the energy is worked through each chakra until it reaches the 7th chakra or crown chakra at the top of the head.

• Purpose- To tap into the coiled energy at the base of the spine through movements, breathing, and meditation. Used to unleash the amazing potential in each one of us. Works a lot with the spine and core
• Benefits- Kundalini is more of a spiritual practice that works with raising your vibrational state and consciousness. It also improves mental clarity, reduces stress and anxiety, depression, and more. Since it works with your spine and core, it also strengthens your body, increases flexibility, balance, and endurance.
• Good for- beginners through advanced wanting to incorporate the more spiritual side of yoga and tapping into their energy centers

5. Bikram

Bikram yoga, also known as hot yoga, has become one of the more common yoga styles. Popularly known to be practiced in a 95-100 degree room, it incorporates 26 poses and is usually good for beginners.

• Purpose- To flush out toxins, improve stamina, proper alignment, and deeply stretch out the muscles
• Benefits- Cleanses body, improves stamina and flexibility, and helps speed up recovery from injuries
• Good for- beginners to advanced, individuals with physical injuries