As my profile and post count probably conveys I am a beginner to Yoga…
my local studio offers both Vinyasa and Hatha style yoga along with a few others (warrior and gentle flow?) see class listing for all
TO be honest I don’t know what these really mean. I am just looking for something that is focused more on stretching my muscles a bit, and getting me active. But I am not looking to be uber flexible or toned.
Any advice?
Vinyasa is Hatha.
Iyengar is Hatha.
Ashtanga is Hatha.
The physical practice of asana is Hatha yoga.
What your particular studio means in their marketing only they can know. Unfortunately in publicizing class offerings studios often use these terms to differentiate the pace in which the class moves. A vinyasa class moves rapidly, often with many repetitions of the same sequence or segment of sequence.
A Hatha class may be a much slower pace with few, if any repetition other than Surya Namaskar.
But ask the studio. It’s their definition that matters here.
From the listed descriptions and from what you said you are looking for in a yoga class it looks like you should start with their Hatha Yoga. It says it is for beginners, which you are so would be especially good for you, and is more gentle “slow paced stretching”, which also sounds like what you said you wanted. It actually sounds like a lovely class that will introduce you to yoga. I hope you enjoy your first yoga class!
Thanks all, I am going to go with their Hatha offering for a nice slow paced course to introduce me.
I appreciate all the insight!
Hi YB365,
IA is correct in that all asana is hatha. However, many studios differentiate between vinyasa flow and hatha for the benefit of students who may not understand all the nuances of yoga (and don’t really care). I own a yoga studio and refer to hatha classes as a gentler, less flow-style of class. So, in your case I would recommend you begin there and as you become more familiar with postures, breath, and movement, try a vinyasa flow class.