There are mental health benefits, physical health benefits, and there are lifestyle benefits. And you know what else we love about yoga? It’s totally flexible, too!

You’ve definitely heard of yoga. It’s everywhere – in media, in a gym near you, and likely in a home studio on your neighbourhood block. There’s a reason this ancient discipline has translated so seamlessly into the contemporary fitness lexicon, with millions of people embracing its physical and mental benefits. The beauty of yoga lies in its diverse styles, each offering a unique experience and catering to different needs – so there’s bound to be a style of yoga for you.

Whether you’re a seasoned yogi or a beginner looking to start your journey, understanding the different types of yoga can help you find the perfect practice for you. In this article, we will explore the eight major styles of yoga and recommend the ideal Trojan Health and Fitness equipment for each style. Now drop and give us Zen!

Firstly, what are the benefits of yoga?

– Improved flexibility and strength

Yoga poses (also called ‘asanas’ by those in the know) promote flexibility, stretching and strengthening muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Regular practice can enhance overall physical strength and range of motion. Yes, yoga makes you bendy!

– Stress reduction

Yoga incorporates deep breathing, relaxation techniques, and meditation, which can help reduce stress, lower cortisol levels, and promote a sense of calm and relaxation. It can also improve sleep quality and alleviate anxiety. Yeah, we know exercising to chill out might seem counterintuitive, but don’t knock it before you try it!

– Increased mindfulness and awareness

Yoga encourages present-moment awareness and mindfulness. Through focused breathing and attention to the body, yoga helps cultivate a greater sense of self-awareness, enabling practitioners to be more mindful in their daily lives. Centre your mental self into your physical self when you step onto that Trojan yoga mat.

– Enhanced mental clarity and concentration

The combination of physical movement, breath control, and meditation in yoga can improve mental clarity, focus, and concentration. Regular practice may also boost cognitive function and memory. We’re not saying yoga is going to turn you into a MENSA member, but it might help you feel that little bit sharper.

– Better posture and balance

Yoga poses emphasize proper alignment, which can improve posture and balance. By strengthening the core muscles and promoting body awareness, yoga helps prevent and alleviate back pain and other posture-related issues. Yogis stand extra tall!

– Increased energy and vitality

Some stipulate that yoga stimulates the body’s energy centres (chakras) and promotes the flow of vital energy (prana). Regular practice can help increase overall energy levels, combat fatigue, and improve overall vitality, even if you don’t necessarily stand by the more esoteric side of the practice. It’s a cappuccino for the mind, except nobody’s gonna write your name on the cup wrong.

– Improved cardiovascular health: 

Certain styles of yoga, such as Vinyasa or Power Yoga, incorporate more dynamic movements that can raise the heart rate and provide cardiovascular benefits. Regular practice may help lower blood pressure, improve circulation, and enhance heart health. Not quite the cardio-bunny activity that running gives you, but the right yoga flow will get your heart pumping.

– Weight management

Yoga can aid in weight management by increasing metabolic rate, promoting healthy eating habits, and reducing stress-related eating. Certain styles, such as Power Yoga or Hot Yoga, can also provide a more vigorous workout that supports weight loss. Slow down while trimming down simultaneously.

– Enhanced immune function

Studies have shown that yoga practice can boost immune function by reducing stress, improving sleep, and increasing overall well-being. A healthy immune system is better equipped to fight off illnesses and infections. Invincible? Maybe not. But regular yoga might get you as close as you can be to it!

1. Ashtanga Yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a dynamic and physically demanding practice that follows a specific sequence of poses. It focuses on synchronising breath with movement to create a flowing and meditative experience. Ashtanga yoga builds strength, flexibility, and endurance, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a challenging practice.

This is the sort of “hardcore” yoga that you can make your primary exercise modality and get super ripped – but the learning curve for getting great at it is steep, so make sure you find yourself a great teacher. Recommended Trojan equipment for Ashtanga yoga practitioners includes a high-quality yoga mat with excellent grip to support your movements and provide stability during challenging poses, and we think our 10mm deluxe yoga mat is perfect for this. Additionally, investing in resistance bands can help you deepen your stretches and improve your overall strength. They also make you look like you know what you’re doing. We’d suggest these resistance bands from our catalogue.

2. Hatha Yoga

Hatha yoga is a gentle and balanced practice that emphasises alignment and breath control. It involves holding poses for longer periods, allowing for a deeper exploration of each posture. Hatha yoga is suitable for beginners and individuals seeking a slower-paced practice that cultivates mindfulness and relaxation.

If you’re looking to gently introduce yoga as a starting activity or add an active recovery modality to your existing fitness routine, you hatha try Hatha! (Sorry!) For Hatha yoga, Trojan Health and Fitness recommends a comfortable and cushioned yoga mat (like our 40mm folding mat) that provides adequate support for extended poses. Additionally, incorporating yoga blocks (or an aerobic step) can assist in achieving proper alignment and enhancing your practice.

3. Hot Yoga

Hot yoga takes place in a heated room, usually set at around 35 ° C. This intense practice combines various yoga styles, such as Bikram and Vinyasa (we’ll explain these later) with the added challenge of heat. Hot yoga increases flexibility, detoxifies the body through sweating, and promotes cardiovascular health. Be warned: you’re going to sweat, and it’s going to feel awesome. To maximise your hot yoga experience, Trojan Health and Fitness suggests investing in a non-slip yoga surface like our aerobic mat that absorbs moisture and provides a secure grip even in humid conditions. To maximise your heat experience, we’d also recommend trying out a sauna suit – make sure you’re ready for this though – it can be a pretty intense experience!

4. Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar yoga focuses on precision and alignment, utilising props such as blocks, straps, and blankets to support the body in achieving correct positioning. This style of yoga emphasises the therapeutic benefits of each posture and is suitable for individuals recovering from injuries or those seeking a mindful and detail-oriented practice. If you’re looking for a fix for limited mobility that’s supported in a way that doesn’t put a mega uncomfy impact on your joints, Iyengar is the solution! It’s also a pretty fun word to say.

To enhance your Iyengar yoga practice, Trojan Health and Fitness recommends using a set of high-quality yoga props, including blocks, straps, and bolsters. You can find all sorts of exciting Iyengar accessories in the small equipment section on our website. These props provide stability and assist in achieving optimal alignment, allowing you to explore the postures with greater ease. You’re about to be the most balanced person you know.

5.Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini yoga combines breathwork, chanting, meditation, and dynamic movements to awaken the spiritual energy within – if that’s your sort of thing. This practice focuses on releasing energy blockages and expanding consciousness. Kundalini yoga is suitable for individuals seeking a transformative experience that nurtures both the body and the mind. Even if you’re not necessarily aligned with the “spiritual” side – it’s a scientific fact that concentrated breathwork and meditation practised daily can reduce your anxiety levels. For Kundalini yoga practitioners, Trojan Health and Fitness recommends our yoga bundle, complete with a mat, ball, roller and rope to maximise your workout comfort.

6.Power Yoga

Forget all the “peaceful” and “zen” connotations you previously associated with this discipline: power yoga is a dynamic and vigorous practice that combines elements of strength training and flexibility. It emphasises continuous movement and a faster-paced flow, making it an excellent choice for those seeking a physically challenging and cardio-intensive workout.

If you’re already a gym bunny, power yoga might be the perfect cross-training addition to your weekly workout plan. To support your Power yoga practice, Trojan Health and Fitness suggests using a high-quality yoga mat like our 6mm Cooltech Mat that offers excellent traction, ensuring stability during fast-paced transitions. Power bands are also beneficial for adding resistance to your movements and increasing the intensity of your practice.

7. Restorative Yoga

Ah, recovery. If you’ve been following our blog for a while, you’ll know it’s one of the most important aspects of making progress towards your goals. Restorative yoga focuses on relaxation and rejuvenation, using props to support the body in passive poses. It aims to release tension, reduce stress, and promote deep relaxation. Restorative yoga is ideal for individuals seeking a gentle and calming practice that promotes overall well-being, as well as pursuing active recovery modalities to soothe painful muscles. For Restorative yoga, Trojan Health and Fitness recommends practising in conjunction with our 4 in 1 Massage Set. This equipment helps release any of the lactic acid your muscles are retaining, which is what causes post-workout stiffness and soreness.

8. Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is a fluid and dynamic practice that synchronises breath with movement. It involves a series of flowing sequences, seamlessly transitioning from one pose to another. Vinyasa yoga cultivates strength, flexibility, and mindfulness while providing a creative and energising practice.

This is an all-rounder that can be modified to suit your goals, whether they involve cardio, strength or functional fitness. Vinyasa flows are also tons of fun to perform to your fave playlist if your headphones are essential to every exercise outfit you own. To enhance your Vinyasa yoga practice, we suggest using fun props like our yoga wheel and wooden balance board to enhance balance.

So, yoga-nna get involved?! 

We bet you are! If that’s the case, then choosing the right yoga style and equipment is essential for a fulfilling and enjoyable practice. Whether you prefer the dynamic sequences of Ashtanga or the restorative relaxation of Restorative yoga; Trojan Health and Fitness offers a range of equipment designed to support your unique journey. And all our gear is as flexible as you’re about to become, so you can try out multiple disciplines with your basic Trojan yoga setup.

Explore the different styles of yoga, find the one that resonates with you, and enhance your practice with Trojan Health and Fitness equipment when you visit a Game or Makro outlet near you. Remember, yoga is a personal and transformative experience, and finding the right style and equipment can elevate your journey to new heights. We’re with you every step of the way. Namastay active, Trojan family!