Yoga is a practice that aims to unite your mind, body, and spirit, helping you experience a sense of wholeness and inner peace. While many people in the West primarily view yoga as a form of exercise and associate it with Hatha Yoga, this is just one aspect of the broader tradition.

The core of yoga involves not only physical postures (called asanas) but also breathing exercises (pranayama), gestures (mudras), and cleansing techniques (shatkarma). In many modern classes, you'll see a focus on physical movement, but remember—yoga's true essence goes deeper, helping to cleanse, energize, and calm both body and mind.

Yoga has many styles, each with its own approach and benefits. Finding the right style will help you enjoy yoga in a way that best fits your goals and needs.

Yoga is for everyone, regardless of age, weight, lifestyle, or beliefs. It welcomes people from all backgrounds, allowing each individual to practice in their own way and at their own comfort level.

Some yoga poses can be challenging or even risky, especially in certain situations or after recent injuries. But there's good news! Yoga offers many alternative poses and modifications, making it possible for almost anyone to practice safely. In fact, some health problems can be addressed through yoga therapy. If you're unwell or hurt, it's always a good idea to talk to a healthcare professional before starting any new activity.

When practicing yoga, you will feel muscles working and stretching, and this is okay. However, pain, especially in the joints, is a sign to stop and rest. Listening to your body is important for a safe and beneficial yoga journey.

Whether it's to help with stress, to increase flexibility, or to simply find peace, yoga has something for everyone. Embracing one's uniqueness—there is a place for everyone on the mat!

If you're new to yoga and feel out of shape or very inflexible, a gentle yoga style may be the best way to start your journey. Styles like Gentle Yoga and Restorative Yoga offer slower-paced classes that focus on stretching and relaxation, helping you build strength and flexibility at a comfortable pace.

If you're already somewhat fit or have a little flexibility, you can try starting with a standard Hatha Yoga class. Hatha yoga introduces foundational poses and breathwork in a balanced way. Once you're more familiar with the basics, you might try Vinyasa Yoga, also known as Flow Yoga, linking sequences of postures in a more dynamic way with the breath.

Each style of yoga has its own benefits, so you can experiment and discover the one that suits you best based on your goals and comfort level.

Here's a list of popular yoga styles with unique approaches and benefits. These descriptions will help you decide which styles might be best suited to your goals:

Understanding a few basic yoga concepts can make your first class and practice much smoother and even rewarding. Here are some key ideas: