If you are thinking of trying Yoga you might be a little confused about all the different styles. On timetables in clubs you’ll see titles like Hatha, Ashtanga, and Vinyasa. On posters in community centres and private studios there’ll be words like Bikram and Ivengar.

The good news is that all of them are good for you. Doing any form of yoga tones and strengthens your body and can refresh your mind. You may find that it helps lower stress levels and improves your flexibility.

Yoga is about 5,000 years old and even though there are many different styles, all based on the same poses, each style has a different focus. Here then is a description of seven styles of Yoga you’ll find in UK Clubs, community centres, church halls and private studios.

Hatha Yoga: In actual fact most styles of Yoga have developed from Hatha Yoga, but if you see this style on a class timetable you can expect a gentle pace and a focus on breathing and maybe a little mediation and relaxation. It’s not too strenuous or difficult and as such is a great style for beginners.

Vinyasa Yoga: Expect to be constantly on the move and flowing directly from one pose into the next. You match breath to the flow of poses so you will find yourself inhaling in one position and exhaling in another. There may be more of a focus on the “sun salutation” here – 12 or more poses linked together into one sequence. More strenuous than Hatha Yoga you might find that this increases your stamina.

Ashtanga Yoga: In this style you’ll explore more of the “8 elements of Yoga” than the pose and breathing elements of the previous two. The pace is quite fast and there are many push-ups (the fabulously named Chaturanga Dandasana). This is definitely for fitter people looking to strengthen their bodies and improve their flexibility, but it can also allow you to get in touch with your spiritual side if you so wish. Ashtanga usually follows the same set of moves in every practice so you will know what to expect every time.

Power Yoga: This style is a modernised form of Ashtanga and can be just as tough if not more so. The main difference is that the teacher will follow different sequences in each class which means that there will be more variety of exercise. There may also be less or no emphasis on the more spiritual elements of Yoga here as well.

Iyengar Yoga: The emphasis here is on bodily alignment and precision in the poses. Expect to use blocks, straps and even towels to help achieve the moves which are often held for long periods of time. This is another good style of Yoga for beginners precisely because of the focus on technique. And you’ll explore some of the other “8 elements” as well.

Bikram Yoga: Practiced in a very hot room heated to between 95 to 100 degrees F, expect to sweat buckets and flush toxins out of your body. The heat can help ease tight muscles. If you want to push yourself then this is a good class for beginners and experts. As with Ashtanga the sequence of exercises is always the same – in this case 26 poses over the course of 90 minutes.

Hot Yoga: Similar to Bikram expect that as in Power Yoga the teacher will vary the poses and the routine in each class.

Of course nothing is totally set in stone and some teachers might mix styles. You could see a class called Power Vinyasa Yoga for example.

Over to you: If you are thinking of trying Yoga which of these styles appeals. If you already practice, which do you prefer? Are there any styles that I have missed that you enjoy practicing? Please leave a comment or a link to your favourite.h