There are many practices within the yoga family and choosing the right one for you can appear a little confusing. Here I try to explain a little more about three popular styles that are all beneficial to our busy modern lives.
In addition to my Vinyasa Flow classes I also teach Yoga Nidra, Yin Yoga and Restorative Yoga; three types of yoga that are very similar but have key differences, working on different areas of the mind and body yet achieving similar results.
First let’s look at Restorative Yoga. This style is ideally suited to a one-to-one session as it uses props including blocks, blankets and cushions. In Restorative Yoga poses are held for between 5 and 20 minutes so these props help to support the body as you slow down, enter a state of deep rest, relaxing the mind and body which in turn brings stillness and a sense of peace. Restorative Yoga helps to activate the parasympathetic nervous system and increases the capacity to allow the body to rest, heal and maintain balance to all body systems.
In Yin Yoga we focus on stretching the connective tissue to increase flexibility and mobility and improve circulation. Props may also be used but are intended to deepen or ease the stretch and the poses in Yin yoga only last for 3-5 minutes as we access the tissues of the body and help to create strength and space in the joints. At the same time, on a mental level the intention is to create a quiet, internal practice leading to the reduction of stress and anxiety.
If some of this sounds similar to Yoga Nidra you would be right. As I explained in a previous post, Yoga Nidra works on both the sympathetic and parasympathetic nervous systems taking you into a state of deep meditation. It also uses props such as blankets and cushions as you will be in Savasana (corpse pose) for approximately 20 minutes so it’s good to be comfortable! Yoga Nidra is a guided practice that can help with issues such as insomnia and stress while aiding mental clarity and awareness.
These three styles of yoga have subtle differences but they all help to reduce stress and anxiety and aid relaxation enabling the body and mind to heal – which is something we could all use on a regular basis.
If you would like to learn more about the different styles of yoga that I teach or join one of my classes please contact me on 07947 653380 or email josie@kamakosha.co.uk . I’d love to hear from you.
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