What type of yoga do I want?

[SallyVickerstaff]

I've tried yoga a couple of times and never really liked it but I hear so much about how good it is for calming I figured I'd give it another go. Can any yoga fans advise what kind is best for just a gentle calming centering kind of practice?

You just need the right teacher/class at the right level for you. I currently go to four different sessions with four different teachers each week. I definitely prefer one of them to the others.

The class I find most calming is a Vinyasa slow flow class. It is very much about the teacher, her approach and her voice as well as the actual yoga.

What I mean I suppose is just try a few if you are able to do that to see which one you like the best.

Yin is very gentle - very straightforward poses and held for 5-6 minutes. Not poses like Warrior or Downward Dog but a supine twist or dead bug.

Hatha is also a stretchy gentle form of yoga.

Either would be good. I am not at all stretchy, have an incredibly busy mind so yoga doesn’t come naturally to me. I find Yin and Hatha really doable.

Yoga is good for calming, but also be aware that’s because it’s good for connecting mind and body and therefore has potential to put you in touch with all sorts of uncomfortable feelings (emotions) too! If you normally spend a lot of time in your head (as many of us do in the west) dropping down into your body can be a revealing experience.

I’ve really enjoyed hatha yoga - very slow and gentle, and the teacher I did it with left lots of time to breath and really feel into each position which was lovely, just what I needed.

I know it's good for calming but I just don't like it.

The poses are actually really difficult when you are unfit, and if you do get into a pose I just have the sort of personality where my mind wanders, I get bored and fed up.

It turns out I much prefer a cardio session where I get sweaty - this came as a total surprise to me having been as sedentary as possibly since the age of 10.

So if you don't like it, could be that you haven't found the right class or that different exercise will suit you better.

I do a class every day. Vinyasa, yin, hot, restorative etc I love them all. See if you can get an introductory pass. Lots of studios offer a month where you can sign up to as many classes as you want. I find at different stages of life I veer towards different styles. Loving the classic hot yoga atm.

Yin yoga is the most chill type of yoga

Thanks for all your advice. @Littlemountainhum I'm actually wanting something to bring out emotions like that, that's one of the reasons it appeals! @AnnaMagnani definitely can't see myself doing cardio but doesn't sound like you did either!

:) keep chipping away at it then. Going slow and steady is always best when you’re exploring feelings!

Five Yoga Poses Perfect for Beginners

1. Mountain Pose.
2. Forward Fold.
3. Plank Pose.
4. Downward Dog.
5. Child's Pose.

I have heard and I know someone who teaches in India that Kundalini Yoga is the original and best form of Yoga.

I have another family member who won’t move house unless they could find a Kundalini Yoga instructor nearby. It definitely becomes a way of life. My great grandmother was a Yogi and she practiced Kundalini. Lived well into her 90s fit and of sound mind.

Yoga with Adrienne- she hundreds of free options and she's lovely lots of options whether you want to get flexible, strong or learn to be calm and breathe.

A whole bunch of us are following her free 30 day you tube programs Move and Center over in the Yoga topic on here.

I've done daily yoga for 2 years and it's life changing!

Yin and restorative are mat based, slow, long holds with props.

Vinyasa, ashtanga, some types of Hatha, are all more yang based - energising.

Have you got local studios?

Yin or restorative are most relaxing.
Vinyasa is fast paced .
Hatha somewhere in between.
Lots of yoga on you tube.
I'm not a fan of Adrienne myself though I prefer yoga with Kassandra online.

Thanks all! Lots of options. @Shannith I obviously missed the Yoga topic on here!

@SallyVickerstaff it's quite niche

Iyengar is great for correct posture, focus on breath and long held poses - throw in a bit of Restorative too for extra relaxation!