Most yoga taught is a form of hatha yoga, which is comprised of physical postures, breathing techniques, relaxation and meditation. Hatha yoga is the umbrella under which most of the sub-specialties of yoga fall. What makes the styles different from each other is their emphasis and technique. The type of yoga you choose depends upon why you want to practice and what you want to get out of the experience. Therefore sample different classes until you find one that satisfies your needs. The teacher is a most important factor in your decision. Ask the teacher for their credentials and background. The match between student and teacher is crucial.

Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga, a dynamic and challenging style of yoga, is named after BKS Iyengar, an Indian Yoga Master who is one of the world's most influential yoga masters. Iyengar focuses on precise alignment, posture and attention to subtle details. The poses are held for longer periods of time and repeated several times. Standing poses are emphasized for beginners, because they set the foundation and build correct alignment from the feet up. When the student has reached a certain level of mastery, the study of the breath, called pranayama is introduced. Like ashtanga yoga, Iyengar yoga is not for the casual practitioner as it is an incredibly challenging practice that will require a serious level of involvement, both physically and emotionally during its practice. The training of an Iyengar teacher is rigorous and challenging. Teachers must meet specific requirements to receive Iyengar certification.

Ashtanga Yoga
Ashtanga yoga is a fast paced series of sequential poses linked together by Ujjayi breath and a flow of postures called vinyasas. It is a style that appeals to the individual who enjoys an intense and challenging exercise form. This is not a practice tailored for the beginner for a number of reasons. For one, you need to memorize the series by studying under someone who is him- or herself and advanced practitioner, so that he/she can assist you in aligning your body into positions you may not be able to reach on your own. If you were interested in pursuing this practice for yourself, it would be a good idea to first speak to the teacher of the class, to get a better sense of his knowledge of his practice and where he is in his own practice. Generally one should not teach the primary series if they have not graduated from this series themselves.

Power Yoga
This is a hybrid of Asthanga yoga, a term originating from an American teacher. Most power yoga is a flowing series of postures based upon the Asthanga yoga system.

Bikram Yoga
Bikram yoga is a hot and aggressive yoga style, developed by Bikram Choudhary. The practice consists of a prescribed sequence of 26 postures. The yoga room is heated up to 100 degrees to encourage sweating and the release of impurities. Each posture is usually performed twice and held for a certain length of time.

Sivananda Yoga
Sivananda yoga is based on the teachings of Swami Sivananda of Rishikesh, India. Sivananda yoga consists of twelve basic yoga postures to increase strength and flexibility, chanting, breath work and meditation.

Kundalini Yoga
Kundalini yoga is a tantric yoga discipline, based upon the arousal of the Kundalini (serpent power/energy housed in the base of the spine.)

Other styles of Yoga (not so popular)

Viniyoga

Kripalu Yoga

Integral Yoga

Ananda Yoga

Ishta Yoga

Anusara Yoga

There is a style of yoga for everyone and there is some overlap between styles. As a new student, please take some time to find the type of yoga that's right for you.