Which yoga suits you?
A timetable lists hatha, vinyasa or yin, and nobody explains what they mean. Here is the difference, with classes in Groningen for each style.
Sportspots editorial team, updated on
Photo: wefitness.nl
What are you looking for?
| You want | Look at | Pace |
|---|---|---|
| to learn the basics, without rushing | Hatha | Calm to firm |
| keep moving and warming up | Vinyasa | Brisk |
| to wind down and stretch more deeply | Yin | Very slow |
| a fixed sequence you can get better at | Ashtanga | Firm |
| yoga as training | Power | Firm |
| something gentle, or your body doesn't allow everything | Gentle yoga | Very calm |
Hatha
This is the yoga most people picture. You take a pose, stay in it for a few breaths, then move on to the next. There is time to hear what the intention is, which makes it a pleasant first class. The name alone doesn't tell you everything: dynamic hatha is a very different class from gentle hatha.
Hatha in Groningen: 23 classes per week, for example:
Vinyasa
In vinyasa, one pose flows into the next, in rhythm with your breath. You never stay still for long and you get warm. Good if being still makes you restless. There is less time to explain each pose, so if you're completely new, look for a class aimed at beginners or a slow flow.
The timetables in Groningen don't currently list a class by that name. Ask a studio: sometimes it's included in a class with a different name.
Yin
You sit or lie in a few poses, often for five minutes or longer each, using as little effort as possible. It sounds like doing nothing. Yet staying in a deep stretch can be quite challenging, especially mentally. Many people do it alongside running, strength training or a day behind a screen.
Yin in Groningen: 13 classes per week, for example:
Ashtanga
Ashtanga is a fixed sequence of poses that is the same every time. That may sound dull, but it's precisely why you notice your progress quickly. It is one of the older and more demanding styles, and you need strength and stamina for it. Many teachers offer separate classes to learn the sequence.
The timetables in Groningen don't currently list a class by that name. Ask a studio: sometimes it's included in a class with a different name.
Power
Power yoga is yoga as a workout: lots of strength, planks and standing poses, and you'll work up a sweat. Suitable if you already do sport and don't fancy a quiet hour.
Power in Groningen: 2 classes per week, for example:
Gentle yoga
This includes restorative yoga, gentle classes and chair yoga. You use cushions and blankets, or do the class on a chair. Good if you're stiff, want to get moving again or can't sit on the floor for long.
Gentle yoga in Groningen: 2 classes per week, for example:
Is it just listed as yoga on the timetable?
This is common. Of the 47 classes in Groningen, 8 have no style in the name. Many teachers mix styles and put their own spin on the class. Read the description on the studio's website or send a message: the question of whether a class is suitable if you've never done yoga before comes up every week.
Your first class
- Wear something you can move around in easily. You do yoga barefoot.
- Ask whether you need to bring a mat. Most studios have them available.
- Tell the teacher before class that it's your first time, and mention it if you have any problems. The teacher can then give you different variations.
- If you can't keep up, sit or lie down and rejoin when you can. Everyone does that now and then.
Classes for beginners in Groningen:
And what about pilates?
Pilates looks similar, because it also takes place on a mat, but the aim is different. You mainly train your stomach, back and bottom, with small, precise movements and usually without the relaxation and breathwork of yoga. If you want to get stronger in your core, pilates is the more obvious choice. If you also want to unwind, yoga suits you better. Check pilates in Groningen.