Folding yourself into pretzel-like shapes can be oddly satisfying once you get the hang of it. Our editor Marijn’s snapshots serve as the ultimate evidence (I can’t even reach my toes!). As a relative newbie to yoga, I’ve asked Marijn to write an easy introduction into yoga.
Marijn: If you’re about to set your first steps on your yoga journey, all those flexible yogi’s in class and on Instagram can be off-putting too (hello there, gypsetgoddes!). This is all part of yoga, though: accepting where you are now, instead of skipping a few steps in order to go faster. You’ll see that the more you practice, the better you get at living lighter. And don’t we all want that?
What really helped me, was to find the yoga form that suits me. Let me walk you through four common kinds of yoga for you to discover (but there are many more!).
Bikram
Don’t mind sweat? Good, because if you’re willing to try a Bikram yoga class, you are going to sweat a lot. And I mean: a lot, a lot. So come prepared, and wear shorts and a supportive yoga top/sports bra. This form of yoga is pretty intense, even for those who work out regularly. You always do the same sequence of yoga poses in every Bikram class, and you do it in a heated room. Benefits are that you are able to go into backbends and forward folds more easily, because your muscles will be nice and warm. It is great if you want to increase flexibility and get leaner quickly. If you’re looking for a relaxed way to practice yoga, then this probably isn’t for you.
Ashtanga
An Ashtanga yoga lesson consists, just like a Bikram class, out of the same type of yoga sequence that is repeated in a specific order. Because of the repetition of the flow, this can be very meditative. But don’t expect that you can sit back and take it easy in an Ashtanga class: doing sun salutations and jump-throughs will get your heart pumping in no time. It is a very effective way to build up core strength and condition, though!
Yin Yoga
If you prefer holding your poses a bit longer, then Yin Yoga probably is for you. In this yoga form, poses are held for three to five minutes, in order for you to slowly discover the limits of your body. This type of yoga is very relaxing for those with busy minds and equally busy schedules. It stimulates meridians and organs and teaches you to experience space in your body.
Aerial Yoga
This is a sort of yoga that you practice, you guessed it, in the air! You have a very light hammock in which you can roll and hang around while doing all sorts of different poses. It works wonders for your back, as it totally relaxes the spine. And, big bonus: it is really, really fun to do! Because of the hanging part you can do things you can’t do on the ground, and that’s really liberating. Cirque Du Soleil, here we come!
Now, time to get off your but and get on your mat! And remember… You’re as young as your spine is flexible!
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BY THIS CHICK'S GOT STYLE
Welcome to CHAPTER FRIDAY! Your online toolkit to an awesome and successful life, curated by Yara (and team of supergirls). Hopefully you are excited about this next chapter, and the natural transformation of fashion blog This chick's got style. Find out more about that process here.
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Yara Michels is a professional blogger, all-round business chick, award nominated marketing author and freelance ELLE writer. She hosts blogging masterclasses, takes on online cases for big companies and is an experienced speaker on online topics. Curious yet?
i love it, great post
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I absolutely love yoga - Yoga with Adriene is so easy and fun, but you feel it working!
Lauren x
Britton Loves | Lifestyle Food Beauty
Thank you so much for summing it up so wonderfully. I have always wanted to start yoga but didn’t know what type I would enjoy the most. Bikram sounds perfect! Aerial is intriguing
Definitely would have to audition for Cirque de Soleil after that! lol
xox Nadia
Thanks Marijn !
I’ve been practicing Ashtanga and Vinyasa Flow (the wild child of Ashtanga, set to music) for three years, and even though I was verrrrrry skeptical at first (you wanna go to hippieland whatnot where now ?), it has really done wonders for me. I feel like whichever form of yoga suits you, one of the key things, at least for me, is the teacher. I havd a truly awesome and magical teacher. She has a true, generous, open-minded heart that encourages you to just try and push your limits without comparing yourself to others or judging. See you on mats, yogi ! Namaste.
You’re very welcome, Amandine! And you are so right: I enjoy almost any style of yoga, the meditative flow of breathing and moving. It doesn’t matter so much which style you commit to, the most important thing is to have a teacher that inspires and that helps you enjoy the experience even more. Enjoy the journey! Namaste.