Taking on the journey of yoga holds a series of positive transformations, but it can be just as overwhelming to select the best yoga style for the self. Whether you need to go with something trendy or wish to go with something traditional, the styles of yoga are numerous to pick from.
If you like to go with the flow of today and pick from the most popular yoga styles in the world, then here is an interesting read. Below, we have mentioned the trendiest, most loved, and most popular yoga styles in the world that aspiring yogis are gung-ho about this year. The popularity of these styles is not limited to India or its place of origin, these styles are popular across the globe.
Hatha Yoga
The word yoga began with Hatha Yoga over thousands of years ago and it is still one of the most popular yoga styles in the world. Hatha means purification of the sun and the moon nadis (energy channels) through the force of asana practiced in sync with the breath. This slow style of yoga is taught with authenticity in places like Rishikesh in India owing to which this town witnesses an influx of several aspiring yogis who enroll in a yoga school in Rishikesh to study Hatha Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh.
The style is preferred by people of all age groups who are starting out on the journey of yoga and are looking to build strength, balance, and the confidence to take their practices to advanced levels.
Vinyasa Flow Yoga or Ashtanga Yoga
Both of these styles are akin to each other and practiced with the purpose to achieve a deep sense of balance, flow, and most importantly, a sense of inner peace. Going for an Ashtanga Yoga Teacher Training in Rishikesh is one of the most popular programs of choice for aspiring yoga teachers.
These styles help build flexibility, improve mental focus and clarity while also building creative abilities as you design a series of postures to create a beautiful Ashtanga Yoga Series. It offers a great cardiac workout as well and can be picked by beginner as well as intermediate level yogis.
Restorative Yoga
This one is also high up in the list of most popular yoga styles with several aspiring yogis, athletes, and sports persons picking it for rejuvenation purposes. During Restorative Yoga practices, the yoga series conducted has gentle poses that the yogi holds for longer time periods.
This yoga style makes use of props for support and balance. Some of the major restorative yoga poses include bending forwards, doing twists, and more. The beauty of this yoga style in addition to offering restorative benefits is that this style can be practiced anytime, even before bedtime.
Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar Yoga is a variation of Hatha Yoga in which the yogi performs a series of poses pre designed in a specific sequence. Crafted by the great yoga guru B.K.S Iyengar, the Iyengar Yoga has garnered quite the popularity since its invention.
Precision, patience and attention to detail are the three important factors. It is important to sync the breath with the movement while performing the sequence. Challenge your mind and body with a keen learning of Iyengar Yoga.
Power Yoga
Especially popular in the west, Power yoga is another style of yoga that aspiring fitness instructors, yogis, opt for the purpose of mental health and physical fitness. The style is similar to Vinyasa Yoga under which the poses are a bit more challenging as the yogi moves at a faster pace between the poses while maintaining the flow of breath and movement. If you are looking for physical fitness, mental exuberance along with a great core workout, then this is the one to go for.
Yin Yoga
Popular in the east and the west as well, Yin Yoga is one of the top yoga styles that yogis vouch for. It is more of a restorative form of yoga in which the yogis hold the poses for a certain length of time.
The purpose of this style of yoga is to help the yogi balance their ‘yang’ through movements that work up the body’s muscles and fascia. The style helps in increasing joint health and even helps prevent injury. Above all, it is great for increasing concentration.
Bikram/Hot Yoga
Despite the controversies that circulated around the yoga master and innovator of one of the world’s most popular yoga styles, Bikram Yoga, the style continues to remain one of the top preferred styles of yoga for enhancing both mental and physical health.
Also known as Hot Yoga, this style is practiced in a heated environment of up to 42 degrees Celsius. The yogis are advised to hydrate well during, before, and after the practice of this style.
This style is particularly loved by those who are looking to build strength, and stamina while aiming at weight management and control.
No matter which popular yoga style you hear about, it all boils down to your needs and preferences, what is your calling as a yogi. The rest shall follow.
Author Bio :
Blogging since 2015, Ankita Sharma loves sharing ideas and experiences about her two biggest passions: Travel and Wellness. Her blogs and stories are published and loved by readers on various travel, yoga, ayurveda and lifestyle platforms in India and abroad.
Ankita tries to show that one can access health and traveling without spending much, working people can also enjoy mindfulness and fulfil their travel dreams while maintaining balance with their work routines.
She loves spending time with locals, learning their cultures and staying at wellness retreats to explore more about life philosophy. Follow her on Instagram
