How To Start A Private Yoga Practice

Interested in starting a yoga practice but confused by all the different options? Don’t worry most people are! Incorporating yoga into your wellness routine may seem simple but navigating a studio schedule can be confusing and intimidating.

As a Private Yoga Instructor and founder of Private Yoga Soho I have seen many clients struggle to find the right practice for their body and lifestyle. If you are new to yoga or just need to switch up your practice below is a helpful guide for finding a style of Yoga that will work for you.

The best way to figure out what practice works for you is to get hands-on experience with a knowledgeable teacher.

1. Vinyasa:

Vinyasa is one of the most common types of yoga. If you go to a Yoga studio, gym, or fitness center you are bound the see vinyasa yoga on the schedule. Despite its popularity most people do not know the actual definition of vinyasa. With the many varieties of vinyasa classes it can be hard for practitioners to define vinyasa. Depending on the instructor and lineage of the sequence being taught a student could have completely different experiences in different vinyasa classes. Over the years vinyasa has gained new meanings and connotations but if we go back to the root of the word it means breathing system or union of breath and movement. A typical vinyasa class moves through sun salutations between poses, keeping the practice active, engaging, opening, and strengthening. It is common to link each asana with breath cues to keep the mind steadily focused on maintaining a consistent breath pattern. Throughout a vinyasa practice a student will experience a wide variety of poses; moving through standing, balancing, seated, twisting, backbending, and inverted poses in order release stagnant energy as well as ground the mind and body.

2. Hatha Yoga:

In Sanskrit Ha-means sun and Tha-means moon, it is also defined as the yoga of activity. Hatha Yoga is the combining of energy with the ultimate goal of achieving balance. In a Hatha Yoga class you will be introduced to basic postures which can be link with sun salutations. Hatha class is great for working on alignment and creating an overall sense of balance within the body. Though Hatha and Vinyasa classes share a similar structure, Hatha classes are often slower paced and take more time to break down each pose.

3. Restorative:

Restorative Yoga is a passive practice which originated from the teachings of B.K.S Iyengar. In a Restorative class, practitioners use props to support themselves in long held passive poses. Most of these poses are modifications of asanas seen in vinyasa or hatha classes, the props allow practitioners to find ease and relaxation in each pose. Restorative yoga can be a great complement to more active practices because it provides a sense of release and passivity not found in more active classes. This practice calms the nervous system by giving the practitioner the time to find stillness and contemplation. Restorative yoga can be a great practice for anyone suffering from insomnia, anxiety, high blood pressure or general fatigue.

4.Yin Yoga:

Yin yoga is a practice often confused with restorative yoga because both practices contain passive postures held for 3–5min but these two practices have fundamentally different purposes. Yin yoga aims to stretch the connective tissue around the knees, pelvis, sacrum, and spine; using gravity to intensify each pose. Because yin heavily focuses on the joints practitioners often experience better joint lubrication and mobility. Opening the connective tissue is said to open up the subtle energy channels of the body creating a deeper meditative experience. Yin is recommended for practitioners who have an athletic vinyasa practice or for those who wish to have a deeper more meditative connection to their practice.

5.Adaptive/Chair Yoga:

Adaptive/chair Yoga allows a student to practice regardless of injury, illness, or disability. An adaptive practice will modify and draw inspiration from traditional Yoga poses, allowing a student to practice Yoga in a fashion that is appropriate for them. Adaptive practices can be taught on a chair, with props, against a wall, or completely laying down. The beauty of Yoga is that it can be modified so any person can access and practice Yoga safely and comfortably.

Each practice listed above has a unique way of achieving the same goal. Often different yoga practices complement each other. A strict vinyasa practitioner may find that incorporating yin yoga helps them prevent injuries or a person who normally practices restorative yoga might enjoy the active rhythmic movements of vinyasa Yoga.

Many new or returning Yoga students often find it helpful to seek out the help of a trusted Yoga professional such as a Private Yoga Instructor or Yoga therapist. Most importantly practitioners should do what feels right for their body and mind.

“Action is movement with intelligence. The world is filled with movement. What the world needs is more conscious movement, more action.” B.K.S. Iyengar

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