Today, yoga is commonly practiced throughout the world and holds a prominent place in the emerging field of mind/body medicine.
The style you choose is up to you. Remember your teacher/student relationship will contribute greatly to your successful yoga practice.
Ananda
The object of Ananda , a style of Hatha Yoga, is to harmonise the body, mind and emotions through energy flows in order to regulate oneself with higher levels of awareness. It is a relatively gentle yoga practice that uses silent affirmations as a means of working more directly and consciously with the subtle energies of inward experience to achieve control.
Anusara
Anusara Yoga is best described as heart-oriented and spiritually inspiring yet simultaneously grounded in a deep knowledge of outer and inner body alignment.
Ashtanga
Ashtanga Yoga is a physically demanding workout. A series of flows are moved through, jumping from one posture to another to build strength, flexibility and stamina. It is not recommended for beginners or anyone who has been taking a leisurely approach to fitness.
Bikram
Conducted in a class heated by a thermostat,
Bikram Yoga demands that a series of 26 positions designed to warm and stretch muscles, ligaments and tendons, are performed whilst building heat.
Integral
Integral Yoga classes put a lot of emphasis on meditation as well as postures. This style is well known for its groundbreaking work on reversing heart disease.
Iyengar
Iyengar Yoga is one of the best-known and most popular practices. This style of yoga requires a great amount of attention to detail and the precise alignment of postures, as well as the use of props such as blocks and belts.
Kali Ray TriYoga
This yoga practice brings posture, breath and focus together to create dynamic and intuitive flows. Flowing and sustaining of postures are combined to increase flexibility, strength, endurance and knowledge of the flows.
Kripalu
Referred to as the Yoga of consciousness, Kripalu Yoga puts great emphasis on proper breath, alignment, coordinating breath and movement, and "honouring the wisdom of the body". Students learn to focus on the physical and psychological reactions caused by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. You work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength.
Kundalini
Kundalini Yoga focuses on the controlled release of energy involving classic poses, breath, coordination of breath, movement and meditation.
Sivananda
Sivananda Yoga follows a set structure that includes breath control (pranayama), classic yoga postures (asana) and relaxation. Practicing this method is a great introduction to yoga.
Svaroopa Yoga
Svaroopa Yoga teaches significantly different ways of doing familiar poses, emphasizing the opening of the spine by beginning at the tailbone and progressing through each spinal area in turn. This is a consciousness-oriented yoga that also promotes healing and transformation.
Viniyoga
This practice of yoga takes into consideration individual conditions and purposes. It is best taught privately. Key characteristics include the careful integration of the flow of breath with movement of the spine, with sequencing, adaptations and intensity dependent upon the overall contexts and goals of the student. Practices may also include breath control (pranayama), meditation, reflection, study and other classic elements.