Which yoga suits you?
A timetable lists hatha, vinyasa or yin, and nobody explains what they mean. Here is the difference, with the classes in Utrecht for each style.
Sportspots editorial team, updated on
Photo: yogamoves.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 |
| 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 Utrecht: 22 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.
Vinyasa in Utrecht: 13 classes per week, for example:
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 Utrecht: 26 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.
Ashtanga in Utrecht: 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 Utrecht: 5 classes per week, for example:
Is it just listed as yoga on the timetable?
That is common. Of the 101 classes in Utrecht, 37 have no style in their 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 suits someone who has never done yoga before is one they get 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.
Beginner classes in Utrecht:
And what about pilates?
Pilates looks similar, because it also takes place on a mat, but the goal is different. You mainly train your abs, back and glutes, 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 find calm, yoga suits you better. Look at pilates in Utrecht.