Which type of yoga for beginners – an overview
More and more people feel the need to bring peace and well-being into their lives. Due to their increased awareness of their own bodies, many conscious individuals are incorporating various asanas into their daily lives. If you too would like to experience the benefits of yoga, you should start with suitable exercise sequences. You'll find all the important information in this article: This will help you find out whether Ashtanga Yoga, Yin Yoga, or Vinyasa Yoga is a good fit for you.
Is yoga suitable for everyone?
First of all: Anyone can do yoga – whether athletic or not, young or old, male or female. What's important is that you have the willpower to get on the yoga mat regularly and exercise.
If you have any physical problems, you should seek medical advice to ensure that yoga won't have any negative effects on your health. Otherwise, there are no contraindications to practicing yoga on the mat.
Which types of yoga are best for beginners?
In principle, there's no one type of yoga you have to start with. Basically, it's important to find which style appeals to you most. If you're already well connected to your inner voice, you can follow your own intuition. This overview will help you get to know the main types of yoga first so you can make a good decision—either based on your gut feeling or by trying everything out and seeing what suits you best. Of course, your preferences can change constantly.
1. Yin Yoga
If you're new to yoga and have little experience, you can start with Yin Yoga. Do you suffer from blockages and lack flexibility? Then this style is perfect for you, too. Unlike Power Yoga, for example, you don't need a lot of stamina or strength to practice the various asanas. Rather, it's about increasing your flexibility and loosening the fascia. Staying in one position for a long time allows your muscles to relax. When the body is calm, this has a positive effect on the mind.
2. Hatha Yoga
This style of yoga is arguably one of the most well-known: so many people, even beginners, love these asanas and practice them daily. The movements are slow and deliberate. Relaxation of mind and body is paramount, which is why this style is often combined with breathing techniques or meditation on a cushion .
3. Kundalini Yoga
If you want to expand your mind and consciousness, you can try Kundalini Yoga asanas. These influence the mind: You concentrate on your breathing and physical exercises. Those with more experience can trigger and strengthen their Kundalini energy (also known as life force energy). You can learn the various sequences in an online course or an in-person yoga class. Those who practice this style frequently can increase their inner peace.
4. Ashtanga Yoga
To get your whole body moving, you should opt for faster yoga flows. Many yoga studios offer classes with Ashtanga flows. Ashtanga means "eight limbs" and is perfect for those who want to really work out. Because of the consistent, fast sequence, you'll have to really push yourself.
The styles mentioned above are among the most popular for beginners. Those who want to try other styles can try Vinyasa Flows, Hot Yoga, or Raja Yoga (royal yoga).
How can you start with yoga?
Now you've gained some insight into the most important yoga styles for beginners. If you're still having trouble getting started, the following tips can help.
- Practice the correct form: To enjoy yoga in the long term, you should get used to the correct postures. This way, you can ensure that your body is protected while also being sustainably strengthened.
- In a class at a yoga studio, you can learn everything in detail. It's important that you trust your yoga teacher so you can let go. If you don't have the time or don't have a yoga studio nearby, you can opt for an online course.
- Yoga should feel easy. You don't have to make it a competition. It won't do you any good if you stress yourself out on the mat every day or if you compare yourself to the other yogis on the mat. Stay with yourself and practice at your own pace. At the same time, regularity is important to feel the positive effects on your body.
- Treating yourself with love is essential – whether you are not yet able to perform certain exercises or you miss a yoga date, remain loving and gentle with yourself.
- If you feel like certain yoga styles don't appeal to you, there's no need to give up. Instead, it's beneficial to try out different styles to truly find out which one is a perfect fit for you. Give yourself the time and peace to get to know yourself better.
- Integrate yoga philosophy into your daily life. Be mindful of yourself and other living beings, regularly take time for meditation and breathing exercises, and honor your health. You will see that this will bring you ever closer to your inner freedom.
What do you need to start yoga?
Anyone starting out with yoga should first buy a good, high-quality yoga mat. It's also a good idea to treat yourself to a nice, comfortable yoga outfit. Leggings or shorts and a top that you can easily tuck into your pants are perfect. Women can buy a non-constricting sports bra. A yoga block is also ideal for practicing certain exercises.
The best exercises for beginners
When you start practicing yoga, you should do the exercises that you can easily perform.
Downward-Facing Dog, Cat-Cow Pose, and Warrior I-II poses are ideal for acclimating your body to yoga. Sun Salutation is also perfect for getting your body moving and experiencing the first positive effects.
Have you already started practicing yoga? If so, what's your favorite style?
