Different styles of Yoga : Hatha : Ashtanga : Iyengar : Bikram & more

There are many styles of yoga but, generally, all use the same asanas (postures) and breathing techniques (pranayama). So even if you're a devotee of a particular style of yoga, you will be able to easily follow the classes on our yoga holidays & retreats.

If you want to broaden your knowledge of the various yoga styles, please scroll to the base of this page. But first let us tell you about the yoga & teachers you'll meet on our holidays and retreats.

The twice daily yoga classes are based on Hatha and Vinyasa Flow yoga. This means that you'll be holding asanas using the breath to release deeply into the body whilst building strength and stamina. Other times the class will be flowing sequences (vinyasa) using the breath to seemlessly flow from one asana to another in a meditative way.

The level is suitable for keen beginners, those with a lapsed practice & intermediate yogis. Our teaching style is relaxed - no pressure to be perfect. Likewise there's no room for ego as it's not what yoga's about. It doesn't matter what other people around you can do, you just work with what you have. Be patient, keep practicing and your body will open up let you back in.

The yoga sessions will incorporate the teachings of Patanjali's 8 Limbs to ensure you have a complete yoga experience and practice more than just asanas.

"The yoga was fantastic. I really enjoyed the variety of classes and different techniques. We learnt so much in 5 days. It's been a truly relaxing and indulgent time & I've loved every minute." Jennifer, Leics

All holidays have two - passionate - yoga teachers. This is a great way to experience the energies of different people. Here's a little about each teacher ....

Nicole Stone began practising yoga 12 years ago, qualifying as a yoga teacher in 2000 with an 'Excellent' grade Diploma from FRYOG (Friends of Yoga) a 2 year course. She is also accredited to the British Wheel of Yoga. "Every time I roll out my yoga mat I feel like I've come home. I love exploring the ever deepening possibilities of a yoga practice & feel inspired to to share it with others". Nicole's classes are both lively and relaxing using hatha & hatha vinyasa infused with in-depth anatomy knowledge. She encourages students to explore the yumminess of yoga from the inside out; weaving the breath with the asana and performing the postures with intention.

After years of chronic back pain and trying various therapies, including hanging upside down on an inversion table, Nikki Bates found Yoga and hasn't looked back. She has been practising for six years, and teaching since receiving her diploma in Spring 2005. Her classes combine breathing, relaxation and light visualisation techniques along with Hatha vinyasa sequences that will leave you feeling refreshed,healthy and heavenly. Her style is light- hearted yet with a strong emphasis on alignment and safety. "Im a self confessed yoga bore! I took up yoga to see what it could do for my back and the improvements were beyond what I hoped for. Knowing little back then about the subject I was unaware of how it would help me emotionally and mentally. Teaching yoga is the best job ever! I just love sharing it with people and the subject is just so vast, that there's always more to learn & share". You can read more about Nikki's yoga here www.hathaheaven.com

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Ananda Yoga is a classical style of Hatha Yoga that uses asana and pranayama to awaken, experience, and control the subtle chakra energies. Its object is to use those energies to harmonize body, mind, and emotions, and attune with higher levels of awareness. One feature of this system is the use of silent affirmations while in the asanas as a means of working more directly and consciously with the subtle energies to achieve this attunement. Ananda Yoga is a relatively gentle, inward experience not an athletic or aerobic practice. It was developed by Swami Kriyananda, a direct disciple of Paramhansa Yogananda, author of the spiritual classic, Autobiography of a Yogi.

Ansura Yoga® founded by John Friend in 1997 is a powerful hatha yoga system that unifies a Tantric philosophy of intrinsic Goodness with Universal Principles of Alignment. Anusara embodies an uplifting philosophy, epitomized by a "celebration of the heart," that looks for the good in all people and all things. Consequently, students of all levels of ability and yoga experience are honored for their unique differences, limitations, and talents. This life-affirming vision sets the basis for a yoga system in which the harmony and joy of a tightly knit community is exulted. Not only is Anusara an elegant system of alignment principles and non-dual philosophy, but it is also a community of highly trained teachers and fun-loving students.

Ashtanga Yoga for those who want a serious workout. Ashtanga may be the perfect Yoga. Developed by K. Pattabhi Jois. Ashtanga is physically demanding. Participants move through a series of flows, jumping from one posture to another in order to build strength, flexibility and stamina. It is not for beginners or anyone who's been taking a leisurely approach to fitness. Ashtanga involves challenging sequence of poses with Ujjayi Breathing and vinyasas (a flow of postures). This Yoga Style uses a system based on six series of increasing difficulty.

Bikram Yoga is named after its founder - Bikram Choudhury. Yoga is practiced in a room with a temperature of up to 100 degrees fahrenheit, thus be prepared to sweat a lot. Bikram Yoga enthusiasts crank the thermostat to high temperature then perform a series of 26 Asanas. Each posture is usually performed twice and held for a certain period of time.

Integral Yoga puts equal emphasis on Pranayama (Breathing Control), on Meditation, and on the Asanas (Physical Poses). This Style of Yoga was developed by Swami Satchidananda. The practice of Integral Yoga revolves around eight main goals: 1. Physical Health and strength; 2. control over all senses; 3. clear, calm and well-disciplined mind; 4. higher level of intellect; 5. strong and pliable will; 6. love and compassion; 7. purer ego, and; 8. ultimate peace and joy.

Iyengar Yoga named after B.K.S. Iyengar who is one of the best-known Yoga teachers. Iyengar's style is noted for great attention to detail and precise alignment of postures, he also popularized the use of yoga props such as blocks and belts. This great attention to detail, posture, and alignment has also become the notable characteristics of Iyengar Yoga.

Kripalu Yoga puts great emphasis on Proper Breath, alignment, coordination of breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body" -- you work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength. Students learn to focus on the physical and psychological reactions caused by various postures to develop their awareness of mind, body, emotion and spirit. There are three stages in Kripalu. Stage One focuses on learning the postures, proper breathing, and exploring your body's abilities. Stage Two involves holding the postures for an extended time, developing concentration and awareness of your thoughts and emotions. Stage Three is like meditation in motion in which the movement from one posture to another arises unconsciously and spontaneously while you are in a meditative state.

Kundalini Yoga was brought to the West by Yogi Bhajan in 1969. It focuses on the controlled release of the Kundalini (serpent power) energy which is found at the base of your spine. The practice of Kundalini Yoga involves classic poses, chanting, coordination of breath and movement and Meditation. The emphasis however, is not on the Yoga Poses but on the Chanting and Breathing. Kundalini Yoga rewards Yogis with spiritual transformation and unity consciousness.

Sivananda Yoga was developed by Vishnu-devananda who wrote one of the contemporary Yoga classics, "The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga". This Style of Yoga focuses on the Pranayama, classic Asanas, and relaxation. It also centres on diet and positive thinking and Meditation. Sivananda Yoga practice consist twelve basic Yoga Poses that seeks to increase strength, flexibility, Proper Breathing, and Meditation.

Viniyoga is rooted from the principle practiced by Sri. T. Krishnamacharya - that is to develop practices for individual conditions and purposes. Viniyoga makes use of modified Yoga Poses that are designed to meet the specific needs of an individual and to enhance healing, flexibility and strength of joints. Viniyoga poses also intend to promote the feeling of well-being and strength.

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