Types of Yoga: A Complete Guide to the Most Popular Styles

Whether you come to yoga to build strength, find calm, support healing, or deepen self-awareness, there is a yoga style perfectly suited to you. At Inner Reconnect – Yoga with Jitka, I often see students surprised by how many different forms yoga can take.

This guide explores 15 popular yoga styles, from traditional foundations to modern, innovative practices.

1. Hatha Yoga: The Traditional Foundation

Hatha Yoga is one of the oldest and most influential branches of the yogic tradition. Rooted in ancient Indian philosophy, it serves as the foundational system from which many modern styles of yoga have evolved. The word Hatha combines “ha” (sun) and “tha” (moon), symbolizing the union of opposites - effort and surrender, strength and flexibility, activity and stillness. Through this balance, Hatha Yoga provides a structured pathway toward physical health, mental clarity, and energetic harmony.

At its core, Hatha Yoga emphasizes three key practices:

Asanas (Physical Postures)

These are deliberate, mindful body positions designed to:

  • strengthen muscles and joints,

  • enhance flexibility,

  • improve balance and posture,

  • stimulate internal organs,

  • and support the free flow of energy (prana) throughout the body.

Unlike faster, more dynamic styles, traditional Hatha encourages slow transitions and steady holds, allowing practitioners to observe sensations, refine alignment, and cultivate body awareness.

Pranayama (Breath Regulation)

Breathwork is considered the bridge between the body and mind. Hatha Yoga includes a wide variety of breathing techniques to:

  • calm the nervous system,

  • increase vitality,

  • sharpen concentration,

  • and prepare the mind for meditation.

Practices such as Ujjayi, Nadi Shodhana, and Kapalabhati are central components of the Hatha tradition.

Meditation and Inner Stillness

Hatha Yoga is not solely a physical discipline; its ultimate purpose is to prepare the practitioner for deeper states of meditation. By quieting the body and balancing the breath, it becomes easier to settle the mind and access states of inner peace, self-awareness, and spiritual insight.

What Makes Hatha Yoga the “Traditional Foundation”?

  • It predates many modern yoga styles and provides the structural basis for them.

  • It focuses on mastery of the body as a gateway to mastery of the mind.

  • It integrates physical, energetic, and mental practices in a cohesive system.

  • It is accessible to practitioners of all levels, making it an ideal entry point into yoga.

What You Can Expect in a Typical Hatha Session

  • Gentle warm-ups and grounding practices

  • A balanced sequence of standing, seated, and supine postures

  • Intentional breathwork woven throughout the practice

  • Longer holds allowing for deeper exploration

  • A meditative closing, often including relaxation (Śavāsana) or quiet sitting

The pace is generally steady, calm, and introspective, making it ideal for beginners as well as experienced practitioners seeking depth and alignment.

Best For

Hatha Yoga is best for anyone looking for a gentle, balanced introduction to yoga. It’s ideal for beginners or anyone who prefers a slower pace with clear guidance. It also suits people seeking stress relief, improved flexibility, and a mindful connection between body and breath.

2. Vinyasa Yoga: Fluid, Breath-Led Movement

Vinyasa Yoga is a dynamic, rhythmical style that connects each movement to a conscious breath, creating a flowing, almost dance-like practice. Rooted in the principles of breath awareness and continuous movement, Vinyasa encourages presence, creativity, and inner heat. No two classes are ever quite the same, making it an engaging and expressive style that keeps both the body and mind alert.

What You Can Expect in a Typical Vinyasa Session

  • A Gentle Warm-Up
    Light stretching or breath awareness to prepare the body for movement.

  • Breath-Led Flow
    Each posture is linked to an inhale or exhale, creating a smooth, continuous rhythm.

  • Dynamic Sequences
    Expect creative flows, sun salutations, and transitions that build heat and engage the whole body.

  • Strength-Building Poses
    Planks, lunges, balances, and standing sequences often feature prominently to develop stamina and stability.

  • Varied Pace and Intensity
    Some moments may feel fast and energizing, while others slow down for deeper awareness or alignment.

  • Mindful Movement
    Even with its athletic nature, Vinyasa emphasizes presence - staying connected to breath and sensation throughout the practice.

  • A Cooling, Grounding Finish
    Gentle stretches, seated poses, and a closing relaxation (Śavāsana) help calm the body and settle the mind after the flow.

Best For

Vinyasa Yoga is best for those who enjoy movement and graceful flow. It suits people who appreciate a practice that feels dynamic, creative, and rhythmical. Because it links breath with continuous motion, it’s ideal for anyone who likes an active, expressive style of yoga that builds heat, strength, and fluidity. It’s also a great choice for individuals who enjoy variety and want each class to feel fresh and energizing.

3. Ashtanga Yoga: Structured Strength and Discipline

Ashtanga Yoga is a traditional, disciplined practice rooted in a set sequence of postures that are performed in the same order every time. This method emphasizes breath control (ujjayi), internal energy locks (bandhas), and focused gaze points (drishti) to cultivate strength, stamina, and deep concentration. The consistency of the sequence allows practitioners to track their progress and build a powerful mind–body connection over time.

What to Expect in a Typical Ashtanga Session

  • A Fixed Series of Postures
    Ashtanga is not a free-flowing style; you follow a structured sequence, such as the Primary Series, which focuses on detoxification, alignment, and foundational strength.

  • Breath-Synchronized Movement
    Every posture is linked with a specific number of breaths, creating a heat-building, meditative rhythm throughout the practice.

  • Strong, Active Poses
    Expect lots of vinyasa transitions, arm balances, forward folds, and deep hip openers. The practice is physically challenging and generates internal heat.

  • Emphasis on Technique and Discipline
    Teachers often cue precise alignment and encourage students to develop consistent personal practice habits.

  • Mysore-Style Option
    In many studios, Ashtanga is offered as Mysore class, where practitioners move through the sequence at their own pace while the teacher offers one-on-one guidance.

  • A Meditative Finish
    After the structured intensity, sessions typically conclude with cooling postures and a final relaxation.

Best For

Ashtanga Yoga is best for individuals who thrive on structure, discipline, and measurable progress. It suits practitioners who enjoy a physically demanding practice that builds strength, stamina, flexibility, and mental focus.It’s ideal for people who appreciate routine, want to deepen their technique, or prefer a practice where the sequence becomes familiar and meditative over time.This style is especially appealing to those who enjoy a challenge and are motivated by consistency and personal growth.

4. Iyengar Yoga: Precision, Alignment & Props

Iyengar Yoga is a highly detailed and methodical practice that emphasizes proper alignment, structural awareness, and balanced muscular engagement in every posture. Developed by B.K.S. Iyengar, this style uses props such as blocks, straps, bolsters, walls, and chairs to make poses accessible, safe, and deeply informative. The focus on precision helps practitioners develop stability, mobility, and a profound understanding of how the body moves within each asana.

What to Expect in a Typical Iyengar Session

  • Clear, Detailed Instruction
    Teachers give specific cues to help you refine alignment and understand the mechanics of each posture.

  • Use of Props for Support or Challenge
    Props are used not only to make poses more accessible but also to deepen awareness, improve alignment, and allow longer, safer holds.

  • Longer Holds in Postures
    Instead of moving quickly, Iyengar encourages staying in poses to build strength, observe fine details, and experience the full benefits of proper alignment.

  • Focus on Technique over Speed
    Classes tend to be slower in pace but intellectually engaging, with attention to structural integrity and mindful awareness.

  • Progressive Learning
    Students gradually explore more advanced variations as they build understanding and confidence in foundational principles.

  • Therapeutic Possibilities
    Many Iyengar teachers incorporate modifications to address injuries, imbalances, or physical limitations.

Best For

Iyengar Yoga is best for individuals who value precision, clarity, and a thoughtful approach to movement. It’s ideal for those who want to understand the “how” and “why” behind each posture, rather than simply flowing from one shape to the next. This style suits beginners who appreciate detailed guidance, as well as experienced yogis looking to refine their technique. It’s also an excellent option for anyone recovering from injury, managing physical limitations, or seeking a therapeutic, alignment-based practice.

5. Yin Yoga: Deep Stillness and Fascial Stretch

Yin Yoga is a slow, meditative practice designed to target the deep connective tissues of the body - fascia, ligaments, and joints - rather than the muscles. Postures are held for several minutes at a time, allowing the body to soften gradually and the deeper layers of tissue to gently release. Yin encourages stillness, introspection, and a mindful connection to the breath, creating a deeply calming and restorative experience.

What to Expect in a Typical Yin Session

  • Long, Passive Holds
    Poses are held anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes (or longer), allowing connective tissues time to respond and gradually lengthen.

  • Floor-Based Postures
    Most Yin shapes are seated or lying down, with minimal muscular engagement so the deeper tissues can soften.

  • Gentle Stretch into Sensation
    The goal is not to push to the limit but to find a mild, sustainable edge that can be held comfortably over time.

  • A Meditative, Slow-Moving Pace
    Silence, soft music, and stillness support a calm atmosphere that encourages relaxation and inward focus.

  • Supportive Props
    Bolsters, blankets, blocks, and cushions help the body settle into postures safely and comfortably.

  • Emphasis on Mindfulness
    Yin invites you to observe sensations, emotions, and breath patterns, making it a powerful complement to more active styles of yoga.

Best For

Yin Yoga is best for individuals seeking deep relaxation, improved joint mobility, and gentle fascial stretching. It’s ideal for those who want a slow, meditative practice that balances the intensity of daily life or more active yoga styles. Yin is especially beneficial for people with tight hips or lower back tension, athletes needing recovery, or anyone craving quiet, grounding stillness. It also suits practitioners who enjoy introspection and wish to explore a calmer, more reflective dimension of yoga.

6. Restorative Yoga: Healing Through Rest

Restorative Yoga is a profoundly gentle, nurturing practice designed to soothe the nervous system and support deep physical and emotional healing. Using props to fully support the body, each posture invites complete relaxation with no effort or strain. Rather than stretching or strengthening, Restorative Yoga focuses on rest, recovery, and renewal, allowing the body to shift into a parasympathetic state where true healing can occur.

What to Expect in a Typical Restorative Session

  • Fully Supported Postures
    Bolsters, blankets, blocks, sandbags, and eye pillows help the body settle into complete comfort with no muscular engagement.

  • Very Long Holds
    Postures may be held for 5–15 minutes, allowing deep relaxation to unfold naturally and gradually.

  • A Slow, Quiet Atmosphere
    Expect dim lighting, soft music (or silence), and minimal talking. The class feels like a guided retreat for the nervous system.

  • Gentle, Subtle Movement
    Most poses are reclined or seated, and transitions are slow and mindful to maintain a sense of calm.

  • Breath Awareness & Soothing Cues
    Teachers may guide slow breathing, body scans, or grounding techniques to enhance relaxation.

  • Release of Tension & Stress
    The focus is on letting go - emotionally, physically, and mentally - rather than on achieving a specific shape or stretch.

Best For

Restorative Yoga is best for individuals needing deep rest, stress relief, and emotional or physical recovery. It’s ideal for those experiencing fatigue, anxiety, high stress, or burnout, as well as anyone healing from injury or illness. This style is perfect for people who want a gentle, compassionate practice that prioritizes comfort, stillness, and nurturing support. Restorative Yoga is also a beautiful complement to more active styles, offering balance and grounding.

7. Kundalini Yoga: Breath, Energy & Awareness

Kundalini Yoga is a transformative and spiritually oriented practice that blends movement, mantra, breathwork, and meditation to activate and balance the body’s energetic system. Often described as the “yoga of awareness,” it aims to awaken kundalini energy - a dormant spiritual potential believed to reside at the base of the spine. Through rhythmic movement, powerful breathing techniques, and focused intention, Kundalini Yoga helps practitioners cultivate clarity, vitality, emotional balance, and heightened self-awareness.

What to Expect in a Typical Kundalini Session

  • Dynamic Kriyas (Action-Based Sequences)
    Each class includes specific sets of movements, breaths, and mantras designed to work on a particular system - such as the lungs, heart, digestion, or emotional balance.

  • Powerful Breathwork (Pranayama)
    Expect techniques like Breath of Fire, long deep breathing, alternate nostril breathing, and rhythmic breath patterns that energize and cleanse.

  • Chanting & Mantra
    Mantras such as “Sat Nam” are used to focus the mind, elevate vibration, and create a meditative, uplifting atmosphere.

  • Meditation & Inner Awareness
    Sessions often include guided meditation, mudras, and visualizations to deepen concentration and connect with inner stillness.

  • Repetitive, Rhythmic Movements
    Movements may be simple but repeated for several minutes to build energy, endurance, and mental resilience.

  • A Distinct Energetic Experience
    Many practitioners feel grounded, expanded, emotionally clear, or deeply relaxed after a practice.

Best For

Kundalini Yoga is best for individuals seeking a powerful blend of physical practice, breathwork, and spiritual growth. It suits those who want to explore meditation, energy work, and mantra in a structured, experiential way. This style is ideal for people looking to boost vitality, reduce stress, improve emotional balance, or awaken a deeper sense of purpose and inner awareness. It’s especially appealing to practitioners who enjoy a practice that is both dynamic and deeply introspective.

8. Power Yoga: Strong, Athletic, Energizing

Power Yoga is a dynamic, fitness-inspired approach to yoga that builds strength, stamina, and heat. While influenced by the structure of Ashtanga, it offers far more flexibility in sequencing and intensity. The focus is on powerful movement, controlled breathing, and flowing transitions that challenge the body and energize the mind. Power Yoga blends traditional yoga principles with a more athletic style, making it a popular choice for those who want a vigorous workout along with mindful practice.

What to Expect in a Typical Power Yoga Session

  • Strong, active sequences
    Expect challenging poses, dynamic transitions, and movements that build heat and elevate the heart rate.

  • Strength building
    Classes often include planks, core work, standing balances, and poses that engage major muscle groups.

  • Flow-based movement
    Postures are connected with breath, similar to Vinyasa, but with an emphasis on power and endurance.

  • Varied and creative classes
    Teachers design their own sequences, so every session feels fresh and motivating.

  • A high-energy atmosphere
    Music, upbeat guidance, and a steady pace help maintain focus and momentum.

  • A grounding cool down
    After the intensity, the class usually ends with deep stretches and a relaxing final pose.

Best For

Power Yoga is best for people who enjoy an active, athletic style of movement and want a practice that feels like both yoga and a workout.
It suits those looking to build strength, improve stamina, and break a sweat while staying connected to mindful breathing.
This style is great for fitness enthusiasts, athletes, or anyone who feels energized by challenge and variety.
It is also ideal for yogis who prefer a fast-paced, empowering practice that leaves them feeling strong and uplifted.

9. Hot Yoga: Detoxifying Heat-Based Practice

Hot Yoga is a warming and invigorating style performed in a heated room, usually between 35°C and 40°C. The heat helps the body soften, making it easier to stretch deeply and move with greater ease. Practicing in a warm environment also encourages circulation, sweating, and a sense of metabolic activation. Many students find that Hot Yoga builds both physical endurance and mental resilience while creating a strong feeling of release and renewal.

What to Expect in a Typical Hot Yoga Session

  • A heated studio
    The warm temperature promotes increased flexibility, circulation, and sweating, which many people find detoxifying.

  • A mix of strength and stretch
    Classes often include standing poses, balance work, core activation, and deep floor stretches.

  • A steady, sweat-filled practice
    The heat adds intensity, helping to elevate the heart rate and build stamina.

  • Focus on breath control
    Although the room is warm, controlled breathing helps you stay grounded and calm throughout the session.

  • A clear, structured format
    Some classes follow a set sequence, while others offer more variation, depending on the teacher.

  • A refreshing cool down
    The final stretches and relaxation feel especially soothing after moving in the heat.

Best For

Hot Yoga is best for people who enjoy warmth, intensity, and a practice that feels physically cleansing. It is ideal for those who want to improve flexibility, build stamina, and sweat out tension from the body. This style suits individuals who feel energized by heat, people looking to support circulation, and anyone who enjoys a strong, invigorating workout with a relaxing finish. It can also appeal to practitioners who like a structured environment and a sense of challenge.

10. Jivamukti Yoga: Movement, Music & Philosophy

Jivamukti Yoga is a vibrant, holistic style that integrates dynamic physical practice, spiritual teachings, ethical awareness, music, and meditation. Created by Sharon Gannon and David Life, it aims to uplift the practitioner physically, mentally, and spiritually. Classes blend energetic movement with yogic philosophy, chanting, and conscious living, offering a well-rounded experience that goes beyond the physical postures.

What to Expect in a Typical Jivamukti Session

  • Strong, flowing sequences
    Expect dynamic, Vinyasa-style movement that builds heat, strength, and fluidity.

  • Philosophical teachings
    Each class includes a theme rooted in yogic texts, ethical principles, or spiritual reflection.

  • Music and chanting
    Mantras, ambient music, or uplifting playlists help create a soulful and immersive atmosphere.

  • Hands-on assists
    Teachers often offer adjustments to support alignment, deepen awareness, or refine posture if students are comfortable.

  • Meditation and breathwork
    Classes usually include pranayama, mindfulness, or guided inner focus to balance the energetic movement.

  • A holistic experience
    Jivamukti combines physical challenge with inspiration, introspection, and compassion-centered teachings.

Best For

Jivamukti Yoga is best for people who want a practice that is physically strong yet spiritually rich. It is ideal for those who enjoy movement paired with music, chanting, and meaningful philosophical themes. This style suits practitioners who appreciate ethical exploration, mindful living, and a sense of community. It is especially appealing to yogis seeking a joyful, expressive, and heart-opening experience that connects body, mind, and spirit.

11. Aerial Yoga: Yoga in a Hammock

Aerial Yoga is a playful and supportive style that uses a fabric hammock suspended from the ceiling to assist movement, enhance flexibility, and explore weightless inversions. The hammock provides both support and challenge, allowing practitioners to experience familiar postures in new ways. This style blends elements of yoga, strength training, and mindful exploration, creating a fun and freeing experience that encourages confidence and body awareness.

What to Expect in a Typical Aerial Yoga Session

  • Hammock-supported poses
    The fabric sling helps you move into postures with ease, offering support for balance, stretching, and alignment.

  • Safe, accessible inversions
    Inversions like flips, hangs, and supported handstand variations often feel more comfortable and achievable with the hammock.

  • Deep stretching and decompression
    Gentle traction from the hammock can help lengthen the spine and release tension in the back, hips, and shoulders.

  • Strength and core engagement
    Lifting, stabilizing, and transitioning in the air naturally builds upper body and core strength.

  • Playful exploration
    Expect a sense of fun and curiosity as you try new movements and experience the feeling of weightlessness.

  • A calming finish
    Many classes end with cocoon-style relaxation inside the hammock for a soothing, floating rest.

Best For

Aerial Yoga is best for people who enjoy creative movement and want to experience yoga in a new and adventurous way. It is ideal for those seeking support in inversions, looking to build strength, or wanting deeper stretches through assisted suspension. This style suits practitioners who appreciate playful exploration, as well as those who benefit from decompression for the spine and joints. It is especially appealing to yogis who like combining fitness, fun, and mindfulness in a unique environment.

12. Gentle & Slow Yoga: Accessible and Mindful

Gentle & Slow Yoga is a calming, supportive practice designed to meet the needs of all ages, bodies, and abilities. Movements are simple, slow, and mindful, allowing practitioners to build awareness, ease tension, and move comfortably at their own pace. This style emphasizes comfort, breath, and presence rather than intensity, making it a welcoming option for beginners, seniors, and anyone seeking a softer approach to yoga.

What to Expect in a Typical Gentle & Slow Yoga Session

  • Easy-to-follow movements
    Postures are simple and thoughtfully sequenced, focusing on mobility, comfort, and gentle stretching.

  • Slow pace with mindful transitions
    Movements unfold gradually, giving participants time to feel supported and grounded.

  • Breath-centered guidance
    Teachers encourage slow, steady breathing to calm the mind and relax the body.

  • Adaptations and props
    Blocks, chairs, straps, or cushions may be used to make every posture accessible and comfortable.

  • Focus on relaxation and ease
    Classes often include restorative poses, body scans, or guided relaxation to reduce stress.

  • A welcoming, inclusive environment
    The tone is calm, kind, and beginner-friendly, ensuring everyone feels safe and capable.

Best For

Gentle & Slow Yoga is best for individuals who prefer a soft, accessible practice that prioritizes comfort and mindfulness. It is ideal for beginners, seniors, people with limited mobility, or anyone recovering from injury or fatigue. This style suits those seeking stress relief, relaxation, and a compassionate approach to movement. It is especially appealing to practitioners who want yoga to feel nurturing, grounding, and wholly supportive.

13. Prenatal Yoga: Support for Pregnancy & Birth

Prenatal Yoga is a gentle, supportive practice designed specifically for expectant parents to promote physical comfort, emotional wellbeing, and a healthy pregnancy. Movements, breathwork, and relaxation techniques are chosen to help reduce common discomforts, improve posture, and prepare the body and mind for labor and birth. The practice creates a nurturing space where participants can connect with themselves, their baby, and their changing bodies.

What to Expect in a Typical Prenatal Yoga Session

  • Safe, pregnancy-friendly postures
    Each pose is carefully adapted to support different stages of pregnancy, focusing on stability, openness, and comfort.

  • Strengthening for key areas
    Gentle work for the legs, hips, core, and pelvic floor helps build resilience and support the body as it changes.

  • Breath techniques for calm and birth support
    Slow, mindful breathing is used to ease tension, manage stress, and prepare for labor.

  • Relaxation and stress relief
    Guided relaxation, meditation, or body awareness practices help promote rest and emotional balance.

  • Use of props for comfort
    Chairs, bolsters, cushions, and blocks help support the body and make postures accessible and restful.

  • A welcoming community atmosphere
    Classes often encourage connection, support, and shared experience among expectant parents.

Best For

Prenatal Yoga is best for expectant parents seeking gentle movement, stress relief, and mindful preparation for birth. It is ideal for those wanting to stay active safely, reduce pregnancy-related discomfort, and build confidence for labor. This style suits all experience levels, including those new to yoga, and is especially supportive for anyone looking for a calm, encouraging space during pregnancy.It is also helpful for parents who want to connect more deeply with their body and growing baby.

14. Meditation & Breath-Based Yoga: The Inner Practices

Meditation and breath-based yoga emphasize the inner experience of yoga rather than physical postures. These practices focus on cultivating awareness, steadying the mind, and regulating the breath through techniques such as pranayama, guided meditation, visualization, or silent sitting. The goal is to develop clarity, calm, and a deeper connection to oneself. This type of yoga is especially valued for its ability to reduce stress, enhance focus, and support emotional balance.

What to Expect in a Typical Session

  • Breath-centered practices
    Sessions often include slow, conscious breathing, energizing breath techniques, or calming patterns that settle the nervous system.

  • Guided or silent meditation
    Expect mindfulness practices, body scans, visualizations, or mantra-based meditation to support inner stillness.

  • Minimal physical postures
    Movement is simple, gentle, or sometimes completely absent, allowing full attention to rest on the breath and mind.

  • Calm, introspective atmosphere
    The environment is quiet and grounded, encouraging ease and internal focus.

  • Tools for daily life
    Practitioners learn methods they can use beyond the mat, such as stress-reduction techniques and mindful breathing.

  • Deep relaxation
    Many sessions end with a restful integration period that supports mental and emotional release.

Best For

Meditation and breath-based yoga are best for individuals seeking practices that calm the mind, reduce stress, and cultivate inner awareness. These styles are ideal for people who prefer a gentle, non-physical approach or who want to deepen their understanding of traditional yogic breathing and meditation. They suit beginners and experienced practitioners alike, offering powerful tools for emotional regulation, mental clarity, and spiritual growth. This approach is especially beneficial for those looking to balance a busy lifestyle or complement more active yoga styles.

15. Somatic Yoga: Mindful, Therapeutic Movement

Somatic Yoga is a gentle, therapeutic approach that blends slow, mindful movement with awareness-based practices to help release tension, retrain movement patterns, and regulate the nervous system. Instead of focusing on traditional poses, Somatic Yoga encourages exploration from the inside out, allowing practitioners to sense, soften, and re-educate habitual patterns in the body. The result is increased ease, mobility, and a deeper connection to one's physical and emotional landscape.

What to Expect in a Typical Somatic Yoga Session

  • Slow, exploratory movements
    Movements are gentle and often repeated with subtle variations to help the brain relearn healthier patterns.

  • Focus on sensation over shape
    Rather than achieving a perfect posture, the emphasis is on noticing how the body feels and moves.

  • Nervous system regulation
    Practices are designed to calm the body, reduce chronic tension, and support a sense of safety and grounding.

  • Breath awareness
    Soft, natural breathing is encouraged to support relaxation and presence throughout the session.

  • Minimal effort
    Movements are done without strain, often lying down or seated, to allow the body to unwind without resistance.

  • Increased body awareness
    As the practice progresses, participants become more attuned to subtle habits, compensations, and areas of holding.

Best For

Somatic Yoga is best for individuals seeking gentle, therapeutic movement that supports stress relief and nervous system balance. It is ideal for those recovering from tension, burnout, trauma, injury, or chronic pain, as well as anyone who prefers a slow, introspective approach to yoga. This style suits practitioners who want to improve mobility, release long-held patterns, and develop a deeper sense of embodiment. It is especially appealing to people who value mindfulness, subtlety, and the healing power of gentle awareness.

How to Choose the Right Yoga Style

Ask yourself: What does my body, mind, or heart need today?

If you want…

  • Strength: Power, Ashtanga, Vinyasa

  • Flexibility: Yin, Hatha

  • Stress relief: Restorative, Gentle Yoga, Somatic

  • Spiritual depth: Kundalini, Jivamukti

  • Playfulness: Aerial Yoga

  • Detox heat: Hot Yoga

  • Alignment: Iyengar

Yoga is not about choosing the “right” style forever—it's about choosing what supports you in this moment.

A Note From Inner Reconnect – Yoga with Jitka

No matter which style you practice, yoga is ultimately about coming home to yourself. At Inner Reconnect - Yoga with Jitka, I guide students through mindful, embodied practice designed to help them reconnect with their breath, their presence, and their inner wisdom.

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Introduction to Pranayama: The Power of Yogic Breathing