What Style of Yoga Should I Teach?
One of the greatest gifts of yoga is abundance. What initially draws us to practice may be very different than what we practice months or years down the road. And that’s what’s special about yoga – there is something for everyone to enjoy, no matter what your present physical, emotional, or spiritual needs are. At the same time, with so many different styles of yoga out there, you may feel overwhelmed with all of the options. This can be particularly true when it comes to teaching, where it can be important to find the right niche. For that reason, here are the most popular forms of Yoga today (according to a DOYOUYOGA survey), along with a brief description of each:
- Vinyasa Flow – Over half (57%) of survey participants listed Vinyasa as their primary yoga style, which focuses on coordination of breath and movement. Although typically less strenuous than “power” yoga (and with fewer higher level poses), Vinyasa is still very physically active.
- Hatha Yoga – Coming in second was Hatha yoga, which is the foundation of all yoga styles. It incorporates Asanas (postures), Pranayama (regulated breathing), meditation, and Kundalini into a complete system.
- Restorative Yoga – Third is Restorative yoga, which involves spending long periods of time lying on blocks, blankets, and bolsters and passively allowing your muscles relax.
- Power Yoga – Next is Power yoga, which is a type of very physically active yoga that does not pause between poses – each move flows into the next, making the practice intense and aerobic.
- Ashtanga Yoga – A physically demanding style, Ashtanga involves synchronizing breath with a progressive and continuous series of postures. This produces heat, and a profuse purifying sweat which detoxifies muscles and organs.
- Yin Yoga – Yin is a slow-paced style that involves holding postures for long periods (five minutes or longer). The poses apply moderate stress to the connective tissues in order to increase circulation and joint flexibility.
- Bikram/Hot Yoga – Bikram is a highly regimented style that involves a series of 26 postures practiced in high heat to encourage more flexibility and prevent injury.
- Iyengar Yoga – This yoga style promotes strength, flexibility, endurance and balance through coordinated breathing and poses that require precise body alignment. You move slowly into a pose, hold it for a minute or so and then rest for a few breaths before stretching into another.
While these are the most popular forms of yoga in the United States, this list is by no means exhaustive. Other styles not mentioned that you may want to check out include Kundalini, Integral, Jivamutki, Forrest, and Anusara. Further, while the popularity of a particular style may be one reason to consider teaching it, hopefully it is a style that you also personally enjoy and incorporate as part of your own practice. This personal connection is an important part of becoming a great teacher and having a positive impact on your students. Namaste.