Common Styles of Yoga Today: Part I

When people say, “I do yoga”, what do they really mean?

Believe it or not, there are many different forms of yoga! Especially in the transition from the East to our Western culture, other forms or subsets of yoga have become popularized. Entering into the yoga world can become confusing when just understanding what kind of yoga you’re even doing! Here, we’ve cultivated a basis of each type of Asana practice offered at our studio for your understanding. 

There’s always more learning to be done, but here is your introduction:

Yoga is a practice of paying attention, to everything within and around us. It is literally translated as a "union" or "yoking" to a wider power and cultivating the mindfulness to embody the full Self. Most of the time we see it today as a practice of movement, although Yoga as a full practice is a lot less of a "workout" and more of a work-IN. Yoga is based on Eastern traditions and philosophies with traits of Hinduism, Buddhism, and Taoism weaved throughout, and depending on which lineage or style you follow.

Vinyasa Yoga
“Vin” meaning breath and “asa” meaning movement, this form of yoga is the relationship between breath and body/posture. Each pose is led into through the breath. You’d notice that you are in a Vinyasa class if the teacher says “Inhale, Mountain pose” or, another example, “Exhale, Forward Fold.” These Flow Classes on our schedule tend to be faster moving and dancelike, feeling like water as you find a seamless transition from one movement to the next.

Hatha Yoga
“Hatha” means “force” in Sanskrit. The “force” is typically referring to the physical practice of yoga rather than the breath. It’s well-known as an umbrella term to cover many of the other styles you see here and beyond! In fact, my RYT (yoga teaching certificate) is registered under Hatha yoga. It’s become the general type of yoga you would encounter here in Western Culture. These classes are more static, and do not incorporate the same circular transitions of flow. Balance Class on our schedule and Iyengar Yoga are great examples of a Hatha practice!

Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is named after its founder, B.K.S. Iyengar. It is a style that is made of detailed and precise movements and cues, so that postures can be held for a long time. Challenging right? Plus – your focus is to control your breath throughout. An example that you might find in an Iyengar class is if the instructor cues, “rotate your pelvis towards the prop wall,” or “activate your left glute to lift your heel higher.” On our schedule, you will see this style of class called Align.

Restore Yoga
Close to the ground, slow, and supportive, Restorative Yoga is created for those recovering from injury or illness. It is great for all bodies, whether you're athletic or have limited range of motion. It allows you to release whatever you have been doing during the day and stimulates the body's natural repair and healing response. A Restore class will have lots of props, leveled transitions, being completely passive in the body, in order for you to get the deep rest and presence you need. On our schedule Restore Yoga is offered Sunday mornings, and every other Friday along with live music.

Yin Yoga
Compared to Restore Yoga, Yin Yoga is a more meditative practice with deep work in the connective tissues of the body rather than activating the muscles, like in a Vinyasa class. Postures are held sometimes 5 minutes  or longer with the challenge being to find stillness in the eye of the storm. “Yin” is linked to the balance shared with “Yang.” There is a Yang Yoga, but we’ll get into that next time! Yin Yoga is gentle in its approach, and can allow you to drift off into a space that feels like you’ve been there for 3 minutes or an hour. On our weekly schedule you will see these classes listed as Gentle Yoga.

Kundalini Yoga 
This is a unique style of Yoga that is based on building a Sadhana (or ego eradicating practice) through breathwork, chanting, and movement that is repetitive and done in a certain order, known as a Kriya. The aim is to awaken energy at the base of the spine and move upward to liberate Shakti, your personal power. Kundalini is offered on our schedule twice a month, every 2nd and 4th Friday!

Chair Yoga 
A wonderful practice for those who need a little more support and TLC; Chair Yoga does not necessarily follow one single yoga tradition, but rather brings in elements from many disciplines. Here you might experience Sun Salutations, standing balance work like Tree Pose and a Warrior Series, along with healthy core and spine connection, and getting a deep stretch, all while supported by the Chair. One of the most popular classes on our schedule, 11am Monday, Wednesday, and Friday!

Sources for further reading: 

• 11 Types Of Yoga: A Breakdown Of The Major Styles
• What is Hatha Yoga?
  

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​-Annie

Santosha Yoga Collective
“Santosha” is a sanskrit word that means contentment. Our Loomis-based Yoga studio brings together decades-long practitioners and new students alike. We believe Yoga is beneficial for every body and will make sure you find the right classes to support your yoga journey. With 24 weekly yoga classes from Vinyasa and Balance, to Chair, Yin, Kundalini, Iyengar, and Restore, our aim is to provide a space of contentment for students and teachers of yoga as we honor movement, holistic wellness, and community as a way of life. We serve the beautiful community of Northern California.

​Any questions? Send us an email at [email protected] or you can directly call or text us at 916-303-0621.

​3587 Taylor Road, Loomis CA 95650

We can't wait to see you on the mat! 

Post written by Stephanie Alston ERYT200 and Annie Schwab RYT200.