YOGA
Vinyasa Yoga
Vinyasa yoga is also called “flow yoga” or “vinyasa flow”. It is an incredibly common style. It was adapted from the more regimented ashtanga practice a couple of decades ago. The word “vinyasa” translates to “place in a special way,” which is often interpreted as linking breath and movement. You’ll often see words like slow, dynamic, or mindful paired with vinyasa or flow to indicate the intensity of a practice.
Vinyasa yoga is a dynamic, flow-based practice that links movement to breath. Known for its fluid sequences and variety, Vinyasa classes can range from gentle to challenging. Popular with fitness enthusiasts, it improves strength, flexibility, and cardiovascular health. People searching for “yoga to build strength” or “fast-paced yoga flow” are often drawn to Vinyasa yoga.
Vinyasa yoga is suitable for those who’ve never tried yoga as well as those who’ve been practicing for years.
Who Might Like It: Anyone who wants more movement and less stillness from their yoga practice.
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga derives its name from the Sanskrit words for sun and moon, and it’s designed to balance opposing forces. The balance in hatha yoga might come from strength and flexibility, physical and mental energy, or breath and the body. “Hatha is a blanket term for many different ‘styles’ and schools that use the body as a means for self-inquiry,” says Jennifer Campbell-Overbeeke, E-RYT 500.
Hatha yoga is one of the most traditional and widely practiced styles of yoga, perfect for beginners. It focuses on physical postures (asanas), breathing techniques (pranayama), and meditation to promote balance and flexibility. Often slow-paced and gentle, Hatha yoga is ideal for those looking to ease into a consistent yoga practice. Search terms like “gentle yoga for beginners” and “basic yoga poses” often lead people to Hatha classes.
Who Might Like It: Anyone looking for a balanced practice, or those in search of a gentler type of yoga.
Named for its founder, B.K.S. Iyengar, who developed his classical, alignment-based practice in India. This type of yoga became popular in the US in the 1970s. Iyengar yoga is known for the high level of training required of its teachers and for its resourceful use of props. While considered optional in many practices, multiple props are used in Iyengar classes — including chairs, walls, and benches, in addition to more common ones like straps, blocks, and bolsters.
Iyengar yoga is known for its focus on alignment, precision, and the use of props such as blocks, straps, and bolsters. This methodical approach makes it accessible to all levels, especially those recovering from injuries or with physical limitations. Searchers looking for “yoga for alignment” or “therapeutic yoga practice” are often led to Iyengar classes.
Who Might Like It: Someone who likes detailed instruction, anyone with physical limitations, or those in search of a more classical form of yoga.
Iyengar Yoga
Kundalini Yoga
Yogi Bhajan, teacher, and spiritual leader, brought this style of yoga to the West in the late 1960s. “Kundalini” in Sanskrit translates to “life force energy” (known as prana or chi in the yoga community), which is thought to be tightly coiled at the base of the spine. These yoga sequences are carefully designed to stimulate or unlock this energy and to reduce stress and negative thinking. “You get to elevate your consciousness and feel great,” says Veronica Parker, an E-RYT 200, and a certified kundalini yoga teacher.
Kundalini yoga blends physical postures, breathwork, chanting, and meditation to awaken energy at the base of the spine. It's a deeply spiritual practice that emphasizes inner awareness and personal transformation. Typically, a kundalini class starts with a mantra (a focus for the class), then includes breathing exercises, warmups to get the body moving, increasingly more challenging poses, and a final relaxation and meditation, says Parker. People interested in “yoga for spiritual awakening” or “energy healing through yoga” frequently explore Kundalini yoga.
Who Might Like It: Anyone in search of a physical, yet also spiritual practice, or those who like singing or chanting.
Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga consists of six series of specific poses taught in order. Each pose and each series is “given” to a student when their teacher decides they have mastered the previous one. This is a very physical, flow-style yoga with spiritual components — you might remember it as the type Madonna did in the late ’90s. Ashtanga teachers give hands-on adjustments, and in Mysore-style studios (named after the city where the practice’s guru, Sri K. Pattabhi Jois, lived and taught), each student has a unique practice.
Ashtanga yoga is a rigorous and structured style that follows a specific sequence of poses. It emphasizes strength, flexibility, and stamina, with each movement synchronized with breath. Ideal for disciplined practitioners, Ashtanga appeals to those searching for “advanced yoga sequences” or “intense yoga workout.” This style is often recommended for experienced yogis looking to deepen their practice.
Who Might Like It: Anyone who likes routine or a more physical yet spiritual practice.
Restorative Yoga
If you walked by a restorative yoga class, you might think everyone was taking a nap on their mats. This form of yoga uses props to support the body. The goal is to completely relax into poses, which are held for at least five minutes but often longer. This means that you might only do a handful of poses in a class, and it’s perfectly acceptable to drift into sleep during them.
Some teachers might even lead you through yoga nidra – a guided meditation that allows you to hover blissfully between sleep and wake. One hour in yoga nidra is said to equal a few hours of shuteye, and while that can be a good self-care tool, it can’t replace a healthy night’s sleep.
Restorative yoga focuses on deep relaxation using gentle poses supported by props. It's designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, aiding in recovery and stress reduction. Perfect for those healing from injury or burnout, it's often sought with keywords like “relaxing yoga for anxiety” and “gentle yoga for recovery.”
Who Might Like It: Anyone who needs to de-stress, those dealing with pain, and someone who struggles to relax.
Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is a structured and highly disciplined form of hot yoga that follows a specific sequence of 26 postures and two breathing exercises, performed in a room heated to approximately 105°F (40°C) with 40% humidity. This intense environment is designed to warm up the body, improve flexibility, and encourage deep sweating to support detoxification. Each class lasts 90 minutes and follows the same routine, allowing practitioners to track their progress over time and deepen their mind-body connection.
Bikram yoga is ideal for those who thrive on structure, enjoy physical intensity, and are looking to build endurance, stamina, and mental focus. Athletes, fitness enthusiasts, and people seeking significant weight loss or detoxification benefits often gravitate toward Bikram yoga. It’s also popular among Type-A personalities and those who find motivation in routine and measurable progress.
People searching for terms like “hot yoga for weight loss,” “intense yoga workout,” “sweat detox yoga,” or “yoga for discipline and focus” are often the ones most interested in Bikram. While it's not recommended for individuals with heat sensitivity or certain medical conditions, those who thrive in challenging, consistent environments often find Bikram yoga to be a transformative experience, both physically and mentally.
Who Might Like It: Those who enjoy structured, high-intensity workouts in a heated environment and are seeking improved flexibility, detoxification, and mental discipline
