Which Yoga Style Is Right For You?

As a chiropractor, I am regularly recommending stretches to patients to relieve pain and tension in problem areas. I am often asked if yoga would help. The answer is usually yes depending on the patients condition. But it is not as simple as that because there are actually many different types of yoga. Some styles are better for beginners while others styles work well for certain conditions. Yoga is meant to be a de-stressing activity so I wanted to take a moment to point you in the right direction by breaking down the top seven yoga styles.

1. Restorative: I normally recommend this to my new chiropractic patients because it is perfect for people with a lot of stress. And if you're in a lot of pain you're likely pretty stressed. Restorative yoga is typically the most gentle and relaxing style and is usually done with props to put less strain on the body while you unwind during the yoga session.

2. Vinyasa: Is the most well-known style of yoga in the U.S. Vinyasa is based on maintaining continual movement between poses. You switch fluidly from one to the other. This style of yoga is more physically demanding than others.

3. Hatha: This is the kind of yoga most people think of, slow-moving, breathing-oriented and completely relaxed. This is a good style of yoga for beginners. It is more of an introduction to physical poses.

4. Yin: This is also a good class for beginners since it is very slow paced. The poses in this style of yoga are held for longer periods of time and most of the postures are seated. This is also a great yoga style for anyone recovering from an injury.

5. Bikram: This is also known as hot yoga. Each class is held in a 105 degree room and these practitioners repeat the same 26 poses twice. Hot yoga is known to be great for the skin and the organs.

6. Iyengar: This is another style of yoga known for the use of props like yoga blocks, belts, harnesses etc. to help practitioners get into the best position for them. This is a great style of yoga for those recovering from injuries or structural imbalances. In this style of yoga, the poses are held for longer than usual.

7. Prenatal: We work with a lot of pregnant mothers in our office and recommend prenatal yoga all the time. This helps keep the muscles strong so they can adapt after giving birth. It is designed to be safe and effective for pregnant mothers.

There are many more styles of yoga to choose from, so take the time to look for a style that is right for you. And before jumping into any new workout routine consult us so we can help you choose the best routine for you.