Yahoo News International Yoga Day 2017: 9 different types of yoga you can do in London
Hatha
If you’re new to yoga, this is where to start. Hatha is a generic term used to describe most Western yoga practises. Classes will include basic postures, at a gentle, beginners pace. You should leave feeling looser and more relaxed.
Where to try it: There are free trials over in Camden on International Yoga Day, triyoga.co.uk.
Ashtanga
Founded by K. Pattabhi Jois, who popularised Western yoga, this is meant to help with high blood pressure, heart disease, aches and pains – including lower back pain – depression and stress, according to the NHS. The literal meaning of the word is: eight limbs. It has a strict sequential order intended to lead practitioners to a higher level of human consciousness, on a physical, psychological and spiritual level.
For regular classes in this style, check out astangayogalondon.com or ashtangayogaleeds.com.
Restorative
This style is a little less intense than Ashtanga, intended more for the relaxation of your physical, mental and emotional states. It is supposed to target the nervous system to enable control of the body, and aid in dealing with stress, fatigue and heavy emotions in daily life. Think less hippie, and more happy. Practitioners use props to support the various poses, meaning the exercises are less physically strenuous, allowing increased focus on mental stimulation.
A few poses, suggested by fitday.com are:
Legs against Wall - Performed with bolster under your legs, hips or back.
Child's Pose - Tuck your heels under your hips and cradle a bolster or pillow with your upper body.
Reclining Bound Angle - Performed with props under head, arms and legs.
Savasana (Relaxation) - Rest your head on a pillow, legs on bolster and feet on blanket.
For monthly classes, try yogawithdamaris.com.
Bikram
Now to turn up the heat. Based on the basic postures of Hatha yoga, but performed in a room heated to 35-42°, with 40% humidity, Bikram yoga – or “hot yoga” - is designed to work all muscles and organs in your body to achieve maximum function and optimum health. So where does the heat come in? The high temperature is intended to produce an unrelenting sweat in each practitioner i.e. every gym-goer’s worst nightmare. However, instructors insist that this will release any impurities in the body, achieving reduction in body toxicity and an increase in strength. I’ll leave that one up to you, bikramyogalondon.com.
Hip Hop Yoga
If stretching in silence isn’t your style, then try Hip-Hop Yoga. Designed to be more aerobic than traditional forms of the art, it places the basic yoga postures to a Hip Hop beat. Reviewed to be rather an intense workout, this style is not for the faint-hearted, hiphopyoga.co.uk.
Doga
Struggling to find a fellow dedicated yoga companion? Look no further than your furry friend. Doga is now an established trend, popular throughout the country, intended to extend the traditional yoga ethos of spiritual union, to an improved bond with your dog. Moves range from incorporating your dog’s body into your routine, to actually placing a smaller dog onto your own body to enhance the balance of a position. Whether your companion relishes the spiritual harmony and relaxation of your shared session, or just sits and watches, Doga is a great way to maintain a hobby whilst spending quality time with your dog.
International Doga Day is on 18th June, and Dogamahny are doing a free session! dogamahny.co.uk.
Silent Yoga Raves
An incongruous phrase, an epic-sounding event. Yoga Ambassadors of Light are holding an event in August that is a combination of silent disco, LED neon rave and freestyle yoga. Mixing traditional shamanic music with deep house beats may usually be an assault on the ears, but when combined with 100 other participants, neon paint and yoga, it supposedly stimulates the energies within your body to optimise your vinyasas and create a unified and exciting yoga style, eventbrite.co.uk.
Naked yoga
Very self-explanatory: standard yoga, completely starkers, meetup.com
Disco yoga: For a bit of fun rather than a serious session, disco yoga combines flow-style postures – technically known as Vinyasa yoga, the loose structure of which allows instructors to get creative - to classic disco tunes. This particular event also includes a brunch, to make your tummy happy as well as your mind and soul. Glitter, it seems, is compulsory, discoyoga.uk
