Changing your yoga style - pros and cons

​ ​Changing​ ​your​ ​yoga​ ​style​ ​-​ ​Pros​ ​and cons If you've been practicing yoga for a decent length of time, chances are your familiar sequence​ ​is​ ​getting​ ​a​ ​little​ ​well...​ ​boring.

Don't get us wrong. Discipline and repetition are important tenets of yoga. In fact, some of​ ​the​ ​benefits​ ​of​ ​yoga​ ​routine​ ​practices​​ ​include: ● The​ ​opportunity​ ​to​ ​move​ ​through​ ​and​ ​deepen​ ​poses ● The ability to witness the evolution and change in your mental and physical strength Still, it can be just as valuable to open yourself to new approaches every now and then.

Although sometimes scary, it is another form of discipline i.e. the dedication to find new perspective​ ​and​ ​angles​ ​from​ ​which​ ​to​ ​expand​ ​your​ ​practice.

Taking this step ensures that, instead of going on autopilot every practice, we come to the mat fully present. When we switch things up, we eliminate expectations and allow our​ ​creative​ ​spirit​ ​to​ ​come​ ​forth.

Which One Will You Choose?

There are over 20 types of yoga practiced around the world. Some are gentle, restorative practices, while others are more intense and great for those who want to get that infamous yoga​ ​body.

Most of them incorporate the same or similar

asanas​ ​but,​ ​there​ ​are​ ​several​ ​factors​ ​that​ ​set​ ​them​ ​apart.​ ​Some​ ​of​ ​them​ ​include: ● The​ ​type​ ​of​ ​instruction​ ​you​ ​receive ● The​ w ​ ay​ ​the​ ​yoga​ ​poses​ ​are​ ​sequenced​ ​together Depending on your physical condition, age, health issues, and personal interests, you may find that there are some types of yoga that benefit you more than others. Three of the​ ​most​ ​popular​ ​include: Yin​ ​Yoga When practicing this restorative yoga style, you hold the poses for longer periods of time - typically 5 minutes each. As such, it is great for those looking for relaxation and stress​ ​relief​ ​benefits.

Pros Soothing​ ​and​ ​relaxing Rejuvenating Perfect​ ​for​ ​stress​ ​or​ ​injury​ ​rehab Cons Not for impatient, super flexible, or those who suffer from connective tissue​ ​disorders

Bikram​ ​Yoga Created by Bikram Choudhury, this is one of the more unique forms of yoga. Each class is made up of a sequence of 26 postures specifically chosen by Bikram to provide the most benefit to the practitioner. Furthermore, each session takes place in a heated (up to 105 degrees) room and lasts about 90 minutes. So, it's safe to say, you can expect to sweat​ ​-​ ​a​ ​lot.

Pros Some​ ​claim​ ​that​ ​it​ ​has​ ​cured​ ​various​ ​ailments​ ​and​ ​restored​ ​their​ ​health The​ ​sweating​ ​is​ ​said​ ​to​ ​flush​ ​toxins​ ​from​ ​the​ ​body Helps​ ​with​ ​weight​ ​loss Improves​ ​blood​ ​flow

Cons Sequence​ ​is​ ​very​ ​rigid​ ​and​ ​doesn't​ ​lend​ ​itself​ ​to​ ​modification​ ​well Ashtanga​ ​Yoga This type of yoga was designed to realign and strengthen the body. ​The different asanas are practiced sequentially and with some speed, changing from one pose to another​ ​with​ ​each​ ​inhalation​ ​and​ ​exhalation.

Pros Great​ ​for​ ​weight​ ​loss Improves the function of the cardiovascular, digestive, and respiratory​ ​systems Cons Can​ ​be​ ​physically​ ​draining

One​ ​Last​ ​Thing...

Unlike other forms of exercise, the rules and list of necessities are quite relaxed for yoga. As such, many of us think that we​ ​can​ ​just​ ​wear​ ​whatever​ ​we​ ​want​ ​to​ ​practice​ ​and​ ​that's​ ​just​ ​not​ ​true.

Wearing clothes that are too tight can cut off circulation and make certain poses uncomfortable. Alternatively, if we wear clothes that are too loose, they can flop over, bunch up, and otherwise get in the way when doing asanas. It's a real Goldilocks and the​ ​Three​ ​Bears​ ​situation.

Yogawear that's just right ​will be both comfortable and snug, providing you with plenty of support while still allowing for plenty of movement. This ensures that when you're doing your practice you're not distracted by unruly clothing. Instead, you can focus on the most​ ​important​ ​thing,​ ​the​ ​yoga​ ​itself.

When performed regularly, virtually every type of yoga will release tension, quieten the mind, and improve your balance, flexibility, and strength. Ultimately, the best type of yoga for you will depend on what you are trying to achieve. That is to say, the choice is up​ ​to​ ​you.​ ​Good​ ​luck​ ​with​ ​your​ ​search​ ​and​ ​namaste.