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• Entering the world of ‘Yoga’ can be confusing for some. Please look into what ‘Yoga’ means before trying it. We live in a world where the Western world has heard it's good for you.

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• Yoga means to Yoke, Unite the divine spark within to join with the greater spark in the universe. To find health, calm, peace, knowledge and wisdom. Re-align the body, deepen the consciousness. Come closer to the ‘God Divine knowledge’.

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• There are many different styles that are suitable for the body at different stages of life. Also depending on ability, age, recovery from injury, surgery, mental health and alignment of the in balances, skeletal or chakra system.Below I have listed some styles available in the world today at studios and gyms worldwide.

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• As a teacher of ‘ancient traditional yoga’, keeping it true to form is important, as once you change the ancient wisdom, knowledge, asana, pranayama it becomes diluted and less effective or no longer ‘yoga’ Please be aware of this. This ancient system is sacred to the culture and important to mankind's health, spiritually, mentally and physically. We are very lucky that the seers, sages and yogis delved deep into their consciousness thousands of years ago to bring us this wisdom to the planet and homo sapien. As a culture we want to keep it sacred and true to form. The vedic knowledge is thousands of years old. We only have 25% of it as the other 75% has been lost, hidden, stolen over time due to its huge power. It is mankinds ‘tool book’ for living on planet earth.

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• Hatha yoga:

• Hatha means ‘Force’ in sanskrit. Hatha restores the balance of the body. I would suggest this style if new to yoga and find a beginners class. This class works on harmony between chakras and energy points. It helps with stress and purifies the system.

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• Ashtanga yoga:This was created from Patanjali's yoga sutras, a system from over 5000yrs ago. It has an ‘8’ limb path. The training in Mysore is very hard, powerful and more for the stronger practitioner. Athletes, dancers, fitness fanatics etc. You will probably do harder asana in these classes.

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• Vinyasa yoga:Vinyasa means a flow yoga of variation and prescribed limits, where the class only stops to rest in balasana, child pose. The breath is guided and very important. The teacher may flow with you or direct the flow. Great for depression, mental health, strengthening, blood pressure and sleep. The class can vary from very powerful to gentle, slow flow.The vinyasa is a modern version of surya namaskara. { 12 asana posture routine}

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• Kundalini yoga:The asana, postures are repetitive. The dormant Shiv/ shakti energy is hopefully awakened. This energy lies dormant at the base of the spine coiled 3.5 times on the root chakra. Once awakened the chakras will open, align and you can feel this power as a tornado of colour through the body. It's hugely powerful but not to be feared. Experiences will differ. The Tibetan school of mahayana/vajrayana buddhism talks of the ‘rainbow diamond path’ to enlightenment which are these chakras opening up. Kundalini is a strict form of yoga schooling and practise. The teachers wear white and it can be seen as a bit of a cult. Chanting in classes, pranayama,kriya,meditation, mudra.

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• Iyengar yoga:Created by B.K.S Iyengar a foremost yoga teacher in the world, known in the 60’s when yoga hit the western world in America and Europe.It focuses on posture, skeletal alignment, opening the body up. Blocks and straps are used in classes. So any musculoskeletal disorder, spine issues, gynaecological and gastroenterological diseases this class is recommended.

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• Karma yoga:One's devotion to selfless work. Charity volunteer work etc. Also Bhakti yoga. Devotional song and dance. Humbling process, no expectation of reward or approval. Working not for the ego but for the greater good.

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• Jnana yoga:Intellectual knowledge and practical wisdom. Looking within for the answers. The hardest path of yoga. Not looking outwards for advice or wisdom. So the path can be longer with more pitfalls but you find ‘Truth’ in the end and then relate to various sacred texts. Satisfying to know that the path has been walked before by others and you are on the right one. Self realisation through meditative awareness. You attain intuitive awareness, separating the ego from the true self. You need an open mind for this. Not much physical, more of a conscious practice.

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• Raja yoga:Known as the classical yoga. Raja means King in sanskrit. Also known as ashtanga Yoga. The ‘8’ limb path is used.The limbs are:

• Yama- Principles

• Niyama-Personal discipline

• Asana-Postures, positions

• Pranayama-Breathwork

• Pratyahara- withdrawal.

• Dharana-concentration

• Dhyana-meditation

• Samadi- salvation.

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• Restorative/Yin Yoga:Postures are held for 1min-5min using bolsters, cushions. Very good for people recovering from injury, surgery.Relaxes joints and the mind, looking within for healing the body deeper.

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• Power yoga:A faster paced class of vinyasa/Ashtanga. Great for a workout and strengthening class. Again for those with a strong physical body.

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• Hot yoga/ Bikram yoga:You will practise a set routine of 26 postures in a heated room of 40 degrees. The body is put under huge pressure. Heating from the outside is not recommended. The body should be heated from the inside out. You need to hydrate well. Not ideal for those with weight issues. It is not a fast fix. Please be careful injury is common. As the body over stretches in heat.

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• Prenatal Yoga:For pregnancy. Specific care and attention for those carrying.

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• Other yoga styles that have been designed by teachers over the last 30/40 years.

• Jivmukti

• Anusura

• Aerial

• Sivananda

• Kripalu

• Acro

• Gin/yin

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• As you can see…… people are inventing. Please be careful and always ask what style the teacher is trained in, where they trained and how much they know. Also ask if it is a beginner, intermediate or advanced class. Remember it is not about the clothes you wear or the mat you have. Sadly the yoga practice has become a competitive form of exercise and a money making pastime for some. Stay true to form and be safe.I wish you well and if you have any questions please ask me.

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• Jnaniyoga333@gmail.com Judi {Yogini ju}