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Explore Yoga Styles
anusara
<p>Anusara is a school of hatha yoga with an uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart" that looks for the good in all people and all things.</p> <p>Increasing rapidly in popularity since it was founded in 1997, Anusara honours students of all levels of ability and experience for their unique differences, limitations, and talents. This celebratory vision sets the basis for a yoga school in which the harmony and joy of a tightly knit community of highly trained teachers and fun-loving students is exalted. The Anusara community has the tightness of a family, yet the looseness of a merry band of bohemian artists. </p>
ashtanga
<p>Ashtanga is based on a series of asanas that increase in difficulty, allowing students to work at their own pace. This particular system is based on self-practice in which you memorise the series and slowly add new postures when you’re ready. A relatively active style of yoga, Ashtanga requires firm dedication, though is suitable for all ages – originally it was taught to young boys as a way to focus their energy and calm their mind.</p>
bikram
<p>When you take a Bikram yoga class, expect to sweat. Each studio is designed to replicate yoga's birthplace climate, with temperatures pushing 37 degrees centigrade. Inducing sweat to help move toxins out of your body allows fresh blood and oxygen to circulate and helps to keep your immune system running smoothly. Taking its name from founder Bikram Choudhury, this practice involves a sequence of 26 traditional hatha postures used to address the proper functioning of every bodily system.</p>
hatha
<p>Well-balanced by name and by practice, Hatha literally means Sun and Moon, denoting the inseparable active and passive aspects of nature. In western yoga studios, hatha yoga classes tend towards a more passive style that involves longer-held poses with a focus on mediation and slow, controlled breathing. Occasionally studios offer dynamic hatha classes that provide students with stronger, faster-paced physical workouts.</p>
hot-yoga
<p>Most active yoga practices will raise a sweat, though hot yoga guarantees it. Using infrared heating systems, forced air systems or space heaters, these classes can vary between 32-40C depending on the style – although commonly associated with Bikram, Power Vinyasa and Moksha also use heated rooms as part of their practice. Hot yoga raises your heart rate to increase your workout, encourages detoxification through sweat and helps to warm up your muscles quickly, making deeper stretches easier in a shorter period of time.</p>
iyengar
<p>Iyengar yoga encourages students to penetrate deeper into the experience of each pose. This style of practice, as taught by B.K.S Iyengar, is based on the traditional 8 limbs of yoga as set out by Patanjali in The Yoga Sutras. Expect to spend time in each posture to develop proper alignment, strength, stamina and flexibility. Water is not normally permitted within classes so it’s recommended you come well hydrated, and to further promote focus and dedication, students are encouraged to develop their own home practice.</p>
jivamukti
<p>Jivamukti yoga offers students a stimulating practice both physically and intellectually. Drawing its name from the Sanskrit term Jivanmukti, which essentially describes the state of enlightenment, the name Jivamukti means “liberation while living”. This style of yoga aims to help students along the path towards liberation, involving asana sequences, yogic breathing practices, music, readings, chanting and references to scriptural texts.</p>
kundalini
<p>Kundalini Yoga has been described as more than just a system of physical exercise, but a dynamic, powerful tool for expanding awareness. Influenced by the Tantra and Shakta schools of Hinduism, this style of yoga consists of physical asana, meditation, pranayama and chanting mantras. Known to help cope with the daily stresses of modern life, this practice promotes physical health, stimulates the mind and helps students connect spiritually.</p>