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Which yoga form is right for me?

When you start yoga, all the different names can be quite confusing. Whether you want to do yoga to relax or to get a streamlined body:discover which shape suits you best.

Yoga for an energy boost

Bikram yoga

This is it: a yoga practice that is done in a warm room (between 34 and 40˚C) with high humidity. A lesson usually lasts an hour and a half, in which you take 26 poses and do two breathing exercises.

This does it for you: because of the heat you come better, safer and deeper into the poses. The chance of injuries is smaller and your muscles become a lot more flexible. Because you sweat so much, you also feel super satisfied after class.

Read also: ‘Work-out @ home:4x chair yoga‘

Yoga for strong muscles

Vinyasa yoga

This is it: a dynamic form of yoga in which the postures follow each other in rapid succession (flow). The lessons are playful and sometimes the teacher also plays some music.

This does it for you: Due to the fast pace of the class and the many challenging poses, vinyasa yoga is a perfect work-out. You train your muscles, quickly develop greater stamina and learn to be more aware of your breathing.

Yoga for more inner peace

Iyengar yoga

This is it: yoga with a methodical approach, where you want to master one pose completely before moving on to the next one. The focus is on the details and good execution, so that you achieve maximum effect.

This does it for you: because you concentrate on details, everyday worries fall away. A kind of 'meditation in action'. You become calmer, more relaxed and learn to observe yourself better.

Yoga to feel younger

Kundalini yoga

This is it: a practical form of yoga, intended for people with busy lives. Dynamic physical exercises are alternated with meditation, in which a lot of attention is paid to breathing and the use of the voice.
This does it for you: kundalini yoga helps you to live more from your intuition. At the same time, you learn to stand firm on your feet and deal efficiently with the things you encounter in your life. Nice:Many kundalini poses are aimed at rejuvenation. For example, there are exercises to 'reverse' the deterioration of the eyes, in order to get a younger appearance.

Yoga for those who want to relax optimally

Yin yoga

This is it: a form of yoga where you do the poses on the floor. The practice is not necessarily aimed at physical exertion, but rather at deep relaxation. You hold all the poses for a long time, sometimes for five minutes. This gives you time to turn inward and observe your thoughts.

This does it for you: yin yoga teaches you to slow down:a good counterpart to the hectic daily life. In addition, the deep stretching has a positive effect on your connective tissue, joints and tendons, making your body more flexible.

Yoga to reduce stress

Yoga Nidra

This is it: Yoga Nidra is done in a session of ten minutes to an hour. Through a series of relaxing breathing, awareness and visualization exercises you enter a state of consciousness between waking and sleeping, where your body is totally relaxed.

This does it for you :you become extremely aware of your inner world. In addition, it is a fantastic way to relax and de-stress:it is even said that one hour of yoga nidra can feel like four hours of sleep.

Read more about yoga

  • Don't feel like doing yoga before going to sleep? In any case, turn on the music
  • Guest blog:Yoga, the most successful commercial product of globalization
  • Tips for the first lesson of bikram yoga

Text Annemiek de Gier