If you've ever felt confused by all the different types of yoga out there, you're not alone. Yoga is incredibly diverse, with a wide range of styles designed to meet different needs, preferences, and energy levels.

If you're new to the mat or ready to explore something beyond your usual flow, this guide covers some of the most well-known yoga styles. (And if you want to dive even deeper, this article is a great place to start!)

Here's a brief overview, with more detailed descriptions of each style below.

1. Foundational Styles

• Hatha Yoga – The umbrella term for most physical yoga practices; a great starting point.
• Iyengar Yoga – Focused on alignment and precision, often using props.
• Ashtanga Yoga – A structured, physically demanding sequence.
• Vinyasa Yoga – Flow-based movement linked with breath.

2. Gentle & Restorative Practices

• Restorative Yoga – Deep rest supported by props.
• Yin Yoga – Long-held passive poses targeting connective tissue.
• Gentle Flow Yoga – Soothing movement with a focus on ease and breath.
• Chair Yoga – Adapted yoga using a chair for accessibility.
• Somatic Yoga – Slow, mindful movement focused on internal awareness.
• Yoga Nidra – Guided meditation promoting deep relaxation.

3. Strength & Fitness-Based Styles

• Power Yoga – Vigorous Vinyasa aimed at building strength and endurance.
• H.I.I.T. Yoga – Blends high-intensity training with yoga flows.
• Yoga Sculpt – Yoga paired with hand weights for a full-body workout.

4. Hot Yoga Variations

• Hot Yoga – Any style of yoga practiced in a heated room.
• (Formerly) Bikram Yoga – A set sequence of 26 poses in a hot room.

5. Specialized or Thematic Styles

• Kundalini Yoga – Combines movement, breathwork, chanting, and meditation to awaken energy.
• Aerial Yoga – Uses a silk hammock to support and deepen poses.
• AcroYoga – Partner-based yoga blending acrobatics and connection.

1. Foundational Styles

Hatha Yoga

Hatha is a broad term that generally refers to any yoga practice that involves physical movement. Most yoga classes in the West, including the classes I teach, fall under this umbrella. That said, “Hatha Yoga” can mean different things depending on the teacher or studio, so if you see it on a schedule, it’s worth asking what to expect. Some classes may be slow and steady, others might feel more active.

Iyengar Yoga

Known for its precision and alignment, Iyengar Yoga uses props like straps, blocks, and bolsters to help students find safe, supportive, and refined versions of each pose. It’s excellent for learning alignment and building strength slowly and intentionally.

Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga is a structured, physically demanding style that follows a specific sequence of postures. Each movement is tied to the breath, and the sequence is the same each time, allowing for deep focus and discipline. It's one of the more traditional and rigorous styles of yoga.

Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa is a flowing, breath-synchronized style that moves smoothly from one posture to the next. It’s often dynamic and energizing. You’ll build strength, flexibility, and focus as you link breath to movement.

2. Gentle, Restorative, Meditative Practices

Restorative Yoga

Restorative Yoga utilizes props to support the body in gentle poses, promoting deep rest, relaxation, and stress relief. In a restorative yoga class, there is little sensation other than complete rest and ease. The goal is to relax deeply and release tension, making this a great choice when you need to slow down and recharge.

Yin Yoga

Yin Yoga involves holding passive poses for an extended time to target the deep connective tissues of the body. Unlike Restorative Yoga, Yin can be quite intense, even though it’s still and slow, because you may experience deep physical sensations as you hold each posture.

Gentle Flow Yoga

Gentle Flow is a softer, more accessible version of Vinyasa Yoga. The classes incorporate a soothing blend of mindful breath and postures. They’re designed to enhance flexibility, build strength, cultivate balance, and promote focus and inner calm, without overwhelming your body. It’s perfect for anyone wanting a calming practice that moves with breath and intention.

Chair Yoga

This accessible style of yoga is practiced while seated or using a chair for support. It’s great for seniors, people with limited mobility, or anyone who wants a gentle, low-impact option that still offers the benefits of movement and breath.

Somatic Yoga

Rooted in somatic movement and nervous system regulation, Somatic Yoga focuses on slow, mindful movement to increase body awareness, release tension, and support healing. Somatic movement involves sensing and moving from within, tuning into the internal experience of the body rather than focusing on how a pose looks from the outside. It can be a deeply nourishing and restorative practice, especially for those looking to reconnect with their bodies in a gentle, intentional way.

Yoga Nidra

Often called "yogic sleep," Yoga Nidra is a guided meditation practice done lying down in a comfortable, supported position. It promotes deep rest and relaxation, taking you into a state between waking and sleeping. Perfect for stress relief, nervous system reset, or sleep support.

3. Strength & Fitness-Based Styles

Power Yoga

Power Yoga is a more vigorous form of Vinyasa Yoga that focuses on building heat, strength, flexibility, resilience, and endurance through a dynamic and challenging sequence of poses and flows while staying connected to your breath.

HIIT Yoga

This style blends Vinyasa Yoga with high-intensity interval training (HIIT). You’ll alternate between bursts of powerful movement and brief periods of recovery. It’s a great option if you enjoy both yoga and fitness-style workouts.

Yoga Sculpt

Yoga Sculpt incorporates hand weights into a flowing yoga practice for a full-body strength workout. It’s an energizing way to build muscle while staying grounded in the movement and breath of yoga.

4. Hot Yoga Variations

Hot Yoga

The original style of Hot Yoga features a set series of 26 postures practiced in a very hot room with high humidity intended to increase flexibility. (This style was originally known as Bikram Yoga, but due to controversy surrounding its founder, many studios have chosen to drop the name to distance themselves from him.)

Other styles of hot yoga don’t follow a fixed sequence and can include various styles practiced in a heated room. It shares similar benefits, increased flexibility, circulation, and sweat!

5. Specialized or Thematic Styles

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini blends movement, breathwork, chanting, and meditation to increase and awaken energy in the body and cultivate spiritual awareness.

Aerial Yoga (or AntiGravity Yoga)

This unique style uses silk hammocks suspended from the ceiling to support and deepen traditional yoga poses. It’s fun, freeing, and great for spinal decompression and exploring movement in a new way.

AcroYoga

A playful and partner-based practice that combines yoga, acrobatics, and Thai massage. AcroYoga builds trust, connection, and communication while improving strength, balance, and body awareness.

These are some of the more common styles you might encounter on your yoga journey. There are countless hybrids and unique approaches out there, each with its own unique focus and benefits. Part of the magic of yoga is exploring what resonates with you.

Want help finding a style that fits your needs? Send me a message using the Contact form below or join one of my upcoming classes, I love helping students find the right practice for their body, energy, and goals.