There are many types of yoga, from slow, still practices that help you sleep to fast, sweaty flows that build strength. They share the same roots, poses, breathing and attention, but mix them differently. Below, the different types of yoga are explained with short descriptions: compare yoga styles at a glance, then learn how to choose one for your goal and start at home.
How many different types of yoga are there?
There is no fixed number, because teachers keep creating new styles. It helps to separate two meanings of "types":
- The classical paths. In Hinduism, the different types of yoga are paths to inner freedom. The 4 types of yoga in Hinduism, as taught in the Bhagavad Gita, are Karma yoga (selfless action), Bhakti yoga (devotion), Jnana yoga (knowledge) and Raja or Dhyana yoga (meditation). Hatha yoga, the physical practice of postures and breathing, grew later as a support for these paths. Read more in what is yoga.
- Modern styles. The most popular types of yoga classes today, from Iyengar to Power yoga, are branches of Hatha yoga. These hatha yoga styles differ in pace, props, heat and how much breathing, meditation or chanting they include.
This page covers the main types of yoga practice today. The types of yoga breathing have their own page on pranayama, and the individual poses are in our yoga poses library.
Yoga styles list: all 25 compared
A different types of yoga chart and list: all 25 with their names, pace, level and benefits. Tap a name to read the full guide.
| Style | Pace | Level | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hatha | Slow | Beginner | Learning the basics, flexibility, calm |
| Ashtanga | Fast, set sequence | Advanced | Strength, stamina, discipline |
| Vinyasa | Flowing | Intermediate | Fitness, variety, moving with the breath |
| Iyengar | Slow, precise | Beginner | Alignment, injuries, back pain |
| Yin | Very slow, long holds | Beginner | Deep stretching, hips, winding down |
| Restorative | Very slow, supported | Beginner | Relaxation, recovery, sleep |
| Kundalini | Varied, breath-heavy | Intermediate | Breathwork, meditation, energy |
| Power | Fast | Advanced | Strength, calorie burn |
| Hot | Moderate, heated room | Intermediate | Sweat and flexibility, for healthy adults |
| Yoga Nidra | Lying still | Beginner | Sleep, stress, deep rest |
| Prenatal | Slow | Beginner | Pregnancy, with your doctor's OK |
| Postnatal | Slow | Beginner | Core and pelvic floor after birth |
| Sivananda | Slow | Beginner | Twelve classic poses, breathing, relaxation |
| Jivamukti | Flowing | Intermediate | Flow with chanting, music and philosophy |
| Anusara | Flowing | Intermediate | Heart-opening poses, alignment |
| Kripalu | Slow to moderate | Beginner | Self-awareness, gentle practice |
| Viniyoga | Slow, adapted | Beginner | Therapy, personal health needs |
| Chair | Slow, seated | Beginner | Seniors, office workers, limited mobility |
| Aerial | Moderate | Intermediate | Supported stretching, playful inversions |
| Acro | Moderate | Advanced | Partners, strength, trust |
| Face | Seated | Beginner | Relaxing the jaw and brow |
| Laughter | Playful | Beginner | Mood, social connection |
| Yogalates | Moderate | Intermediate | Core strength, posture |
| Wall | Slow | Beginner | Balance support, alignment |
| Somatic | Very slow | Beginner | Releasing muscle tension |
Looking for a type of yoga that starts with K? There are two: Kundalini, built on breathwork and meditation, and Kripalu, a gentle, compassionate practice.
How to choose the best type of yoga for your goal
The best type of yoga is the one you enjoy enough to repeat. Start from what you want most:
Types of yoga for weight loss and strength
The best yoga styles for weight loss and strength are the faster ones: Power, Vinyasa or Ashtanga. They keep you moving and build muscle, which is why they are the usual answer to the best type of yoga for weight loss and for strength. Yogalates adds core work. Combine with walking and sensible eating, and see yoga for weight loss.
Types of yoga for stretching and flexibility
Of all the types of yoga for hips and hamstrings, Yin stretches deepest: it holds poses for three to five minutes. Hatha and Iyengar are gentler yoga styles for flexibility, with better alignment.
Types of yoga for stress relief, anxiety and sleep
Restorative, Yin, Yoga Nidra and gentle Hatha are the yoga styles for relaxation. Most research on yoga for mental health uses gentle, Hatha-based programmes with breathing and meditation, so these are a sensible first choice. See yoga for anxiety and yoga for stress relief.
Types of yoga for back pain and injuries
Iyengar and Viniyoga adapt every pose to your body and use props, which suits people with back pain or old injuries. Avoid hot and fast styles until you know your limits, and check our yoga for back pain plan. Ask a physiotherapist first after a recent injury.
Seniors and kids
Chair, Wall, Hatha, Restorative and Kripalu are the best types of yoga for seniors, because they offer support and a gentle pace. See our yoga for seniors guide. The best types of yoga for kids are playful and short, full of animal poses; see yoga for kids.
Pregnancy, after birth and your period
What type of yoga to do during pregnancy? Prenatal yoga, with your doctor's agreement; avoid hot yoga, deep twists, lying on your belly and inversions. After birth, move on to postnatal yoga once you are cleared. What type of yoga to do on your period? Gentle Hatha, Yin or Restorative often feel best; many women skip strong inversions and core work on heavy days.
Different types of yoga for beginners: where to start at home
The easiest type of yoga for beginners is Hatha. It moves slowly, holds each pose for a few breaths and teaches the basic shapes every other style builds on. Once you know them, try Vinyasa, the type of yoga that flows and moves with the breath. Here is how to do yoga at home step by step:
- Pick a quiet space the size of a mat, and practise on an empty stomach.
- Play Your First Yoga Session in our guided sessions: the 3D figure shows each pose and the voice guides you in 28 languages.
- Practise 10 to 20 minutes, three times a week, for a month.
- Then explore: Surya Namaskar is the best type of yoga to do in the morning, and Yin or Yoga Nidra is the best type of yoga to do before bed.
For a fuller plan, read yoga for beginners.
Different types of yoga in Hindi — योग के प्रकार: भगवद गीता में योग के चार मुख्य मार्ग बताए गए हैं: कर्म योग (निष्काम कर्म), भक्ति योग (ईश्वर-भक्ति), ज्ञान योग (ज्ञान) और ध्यान या राज योग (ध्यान)। आज जो योगासन हम करते हैं, वे हठ योग से आते हैं, और हठ योग की कई शैलियाँ हैं, जैसे अष्टांग, विन्यास, अयंगर और यिन। शुरुआत करने वालों के लिए धीमा हठ योग सबसे आसान है।
Frequently asked questions
What are the different types of yoga?
There are many different kinds of yoga. The best-known modern styles are Hatha, Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Iyengar, Yin, Restorative, Kundalini, Power, Hot yoga and Yoga Nidra, plus newer ones such as chair, aerial, wall and somatic yoga. In the classical sense, the main paths are Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Raja yoga.
What is the best type of yoga for beginners?
Hatha yoga, because it is slow, holds poses long enough to learn them and covers the basics. Iyengar, with its props and precise instruction, is also excellent if you have stiffness or an old injury.
Which type of yoga is best for weight loss?
Faster styles such as Power, Vinyasa and Ashtanga burn the most calories. Any style helps if you practise regularly and combine it with walking and a sensible diet.
Which type of yoga is best for flexibility?
Yin yoga, with its long, passive holds, is the best type of yoga for stretching. Hatha and Iyengar improve it more gradually while also building strength and alignment.
What is the best type of yoga for mental health?
Gentle, breath-focused styles such as Hatha, Restorative and Yoga Nidra. Studies of yoga for anxiety and depression mostly use these, alongside, not instead of, professional care.
What are the 4 types of yoga in the Bhagavad Gita?
Karma yoga (the path of selfless action), Bhakti yoga (devotion), Jnana yoga (knowledge) and Dhyana or Raja yoga (meditation). They are spiritual paths rather than styles of physical exercise.
What types of yoga are good for couples?
Acro yoga is the classic partner practice. For a gentler option, do partner stretches from Hatha yoga together, such as seated twists and back-to-back breathing.