Different Styles of Yoga (and How to Know Which One Is for You)
Walk into a yoga studio (or scroll through a class schedule) and you might feel like you’ve stumbled into a foreign language: Vinyasa, Yin, Ashtanga, Hatha, Power… Are these yoga styles or secret passwords?
Good news: there’s no “better” yoga—just different flavours. Each style has its own pace, purpose, and personality. Let’s break them down so you can find the one that fits your body, mood, and lifestyle.
Hatha Yoga: The Classic All-Rounder
Best for: Beginners, slower movers, people who like clear instruction
Hatha yoga is often the foundation of many modern yoga styles. Classes move at a gentle, steady pace, holding poses longer and focusing on alignment and breath.
Think of Hatha as:
Calm
Grounded
Friendly and welcoming
You’ll usually practice standing, seated, and balancing poses with time to pause between movements.
✨ How it feels: Like a calm stretch session with purpose
🧠 Why you’ll love it: Great for learning poses and reducing stress
Vinyasa Yoga: Flow with the Go
Best for: People who like movement, creativity, and variety
Vinyasa yoga links breath with movement, creating a continuous flow from one pose to the next. No two classes are ever exactly the same.
Expect:
Smooth transitions
Rhythmic breathing
A bit of sweat
✨ How it feels: Like a moving meditation set to your breath
🔥 Why you’ll love it: Builds strength, flexibility, and focus
Ashtanga Yoga: Structured and Strong
Best for: Discipline lovers, athletes, routine enthusiasts
Ashtanga follows a specific sequence of poses practiced in the same order every time. It’s physically demanding and mentally focused.
Expect:
A consistent structure
Strong, athletic poses
Deep concentration
✨ How it feels: Challenging, powerful, and focused
💪 Why you’ll love it: Builds strength, endurance, and mental grit
Power Yoga: Yoga’s Energetic Cousin
Best for: Fitness lovers, people who like intensity
Power yoga is inspired by Ashtanga but less traditional and more fitness-focused. It’s fast-paced, sweaty, and designed to build muscle.
Expect:
High-energy sequences
Strong core work
Minimal downtime
✨ How it feels: Like yoga meets a workout
🔥 Why you’ll love it: Great for strength, stamina, and confidence
Yin Yoga: Slow, Deep, and Surprisingly Powerful
Best for: Stress relief, flexibility, emotional release
Yin yoga targets deep connective tissues by holding poses for 2–5 minutes or longer. It’s slow, quiet, and deeply introspective.
Don’t be fooled by the stillness—this practice can feel intense in a very different way.
✨ How it feels: Meditative, stretchy, sometimes emotional
🌙 Why you’ll love it: Deep relaxation and flexibility gains
Restorative Yoga: Permission to Do Nothing
Best for: Burnout, recovery, nervous system reset
Restorative yoga uses props like bolsters, blankets, and blocks to fully support the body. Poses are held for long periods with zero effort.
Yes—this counts as yoga.
✨ How it feels: Like a guided nap
🛌 Why you’ll love it: Deep healing, better sleep, total relaxation
Hot Yoga: Turn Up the Heat
Best for: Heat lovers, people who enjoy sweating
Hot yoga is practiced in a heated room (usually around 40°C / 104°F). Hot classes vary.
Expect:
Intense sweating
Increased flexibility
A serious challenge
✨ How it feels: Hot, intense, cleansing
💧 Why you’ll love it: Builds stamina and mental toughness
Kundalini Yoga: Energy Meets Spirituality
Best for: Spiritual seekers, breathwork lovers
Kundalini yoga combines movement, breath, chanting, and meditation to awaken energy in the body.
Expect:
Repetitive movements
Powerful breathing techniques
Mantras and meditation
✨ How it feels: Energising, emotional, sometimes transformative
🔮 Why you’ll love it: Deep mind-body awareness and emotional release
Iyengar Yoga: Precision and Alignment
Best for: Detail-oriented learners, injury recovery
Iyengar yoga focuses on alignment and posture precision, often using props to support proper form.
Expect:
Detailed instruction
Long-held poses
Lots of props
✨ How it feels: Structured, intentional, therapeutic
📐 Why you’ll love it: Excellent for building safe, strong foundations
So… Which Yoga Style Should You Choose?
The honest answer? It depends on the day.
Feeling tired? → Restorative or Yin
Need energy? → Vinyasa or Power
Want structure? → Ashtanga or Iyengar
New to yoga? → Hatha or Gentle Flow
You don’t have to pick just one. Yoga is meant to support your life—not limit it.
Final Thought: All Yoga Is Good Yoga
Whether you’re flowing, sweating, resting, or barely moving at all—it’s all yoga.
The best style is the one that:
✔ Feels good in your body
✔ Supports your mental health
✔ Keeps you coming back
So try a few, mix it up, and remember—there’s no “perfect” practice, just the one that meets you where you are today. 🌿
