The wide world of yoga

You don't have to be a particular religion, shape or size to benefit from the 5,000- year-old discipline of yoga

Yoga's popularity in the West can be attributed to its many forms that can be easily adapted for any age or ability. Each individual will get something different from yoga. For some, it is a great stretch or workout, while for others, it's a chance to unwind, get in touch with their bodies and meditate.

'Yoga works every part of your body, ensuring immense physical benefits as well as developing feelings of inner calm and well-being,' says Swami Satchinanda, Chairman of the Education Committee for The British Wheel of Yoga, the governing body for yoga in the UK. Most recreational yogis (people who practise yoga on average once or twice a week) benefit, both mentally and physically, once they have discovered a class that suits them. In looking for the type of yoga that is right for you, keep the following in mind:

  • Find a method that suits your body type and your lifestyle
  • Remember each yoga method has the same ingredients but in slightly different quantities
  • Always work at your own pace
  • Find a teacher who suits you

However finding a yoga class is not always as easy as it seems. Lucy, a 25-year-old legal assistant, was attracted to the concept of yoga, but put off by the classes she attended. 'I kept trying different things. First I went to my gym and then to a class in a church hall. Neither of them worked for me. I didn't like the teachers. In one, they did the whole class using the Sanskrit words for the positions. I didn't have a clue what they were talking about.' Lucy finally found a class she liked via word of mouth. 'A friend told me about an Iyengar yoga centre where a precise, more technical style of yoga is practised. I went once and was hooked.'

But not everyone is as lucky as Lucy. 'The best thing to do is to try lots of classes, that way you get to experience different styles and different teachers - then you can decide what is or is not for you,' says Simon Low, director at triyoga, a London yoga center which offers a range of mind/body classes. It's also important to understand the differences in each of the yoga disciplines, before you start taking the classes.

Hatha, which means 'union' in Sanskrit, is an umbrella term for yoga that employs physical and breathing exercises to still the mind. Hatha is one of the eight branches of yoga which is an ancient Indian philosophy studied to attain enlightenment. Among the other forms of yoga are Raga, Tantra and Mantra, which are all philosophical practices focused on elevating one's mental state. They involve following certain dietary conventions and codes for living.

Within Hatha yoga there are many different disciplines and now - due to yoga's increased popularity - there are many classes that teach a fusion of several styles. These hybrid classes are often best for beginners, as they offer a broad range of poses, breathing exercises and some physical exertion.

Among the most popular styles of yoga taught in the West today are:

Ashtanga Viniyasa: Ashtanga is one of the most popular forms of yoga in the West. A physical and mental discipline, it focuses on the unity of movement and breath. Ashtanga is taxing physically (it's what Madonna and Geri Halliwell claim keeps them in shape) so it's important that as a beginner you join a beginner's class. Ashtanga involves a series of flowing moves or viniyasas, synchronised by the breathing. The class can be 'fast and furious', so be warned.

Sivananda: Based around a series of 12 postures including the Sun Salutation sequence, breathing and meditation. This is a well rounded practice, not overly exerting and suitable for all levels of expertise.

Viniyoga: Yoga tailored to the individual and their own needs. A practice can be as short as 15 minutes or as long as two hours. Traditionally this yoga is practised on a one-to-one basis with an instructor rather than in large classes. It is also an excellent means of defining your own self-practise which can be done at any time.

Iyengar: A slower, more precise form of yoga, Iyengar is the most widely practised yoga discipline worldwide. It focuses on bodily alignment and precision of posture, often with the help of props such as ropes or blocks. This method of yoga is particularly suitable for people with specific needs such as the disabled, older people and those with injuries.

For further information on yoga, contact the following yoga centres: