Below is a copy of a response to similar question. Please enjoy your Yoga Journey!
Namaste,
Chandra
Posted: 07 Feb 2005 02:40
This is a reply which I made to a previous post with a similar inquiry. I have taken yoga teacher training from an Ashtanga-based style (White Lotus in Santa Barbara and a Yoga Therapy style Structural Yoga from Mukunda Stiles (see Mukunda’s Q&A on this site)). Asking yourself what your body needs to be harmonious and what your mind needs to be harmonious may provide you with the answers you seek.
“Listed below is a link to an article from Yoga Journal which gives a nice overview of various yoga styles. What your goals are will direct the choice of yoga style which fits your needs. These are the “major” or more widely defined “styles” of yoga. Individual teachers may incorporate other body awareness techniques, such as Feldenkrais or Somatics. They may merge what they have learned from several streams of teachers. The class may include meditation or chanting. In my experience, classes at gyms tend to be less focused on the spiritual aspects and more on the physical, yoga for a work out. Yoga classes taken from outreach programs in hospitals are more focused on yoga for stress reduction. It is wonderful that you are exploring yoga, and thinking about what your own needs are. I’m sure you will find the teacher who is right for you.”
Namaste,
Chandra
Here is the link:
http://www.yogajournal.com/newtoyoga/165_1.cfm