Who Is Yoga For? Finding Your Practice

Yoga is an incredibly versatile practice that can be adapted to the needs and abilities of each individual. Whether you are young or old, fit or untrained, yoga offers something for everyone and can be practised at any stage of life. Here are some groups that can particularly benefit from yoga:

Beginners:

For beginners, yoga offers a gentle way to improve physical fitness and relax at the same time.

Suitable yoga styles:

Hatha yoga: focus on basic asanas and breathing exercises.
Vinyasa yoga: Dynamic but accessible flows that build strength and flexibility.
Yin Yoga: Gentle stretches and long held poses for relaxation and flexibility.

Advanced:

Experienced yogis can deepen their practice and seek new challenges.

Suitable yoga styles:

Ashtanga yoga: Intensive, set series of asanas.
Power Yoga: Powerful and dynamic flows.
Iyengar Yoga: Focus on precise alignment and intense poses.

Seniors:

Yoga is also ideal for older people.

Suitable yoga styles:

Hatha yoga: Gentle exercises to maintain flexibility.
Restorative yoga: Deep relaxation and gentle stretches.
Chair yoga: adaptations of asanas that can be performed in a seated position.

Children and teenagers:

For children and teenagers, yoga offers a fun way to exercise and relieve stress at the same time.

Suitable yoga styles:

Kids yoga: Playful and dynamic exercises.
Teen Yoga: Adaptation of Hatha or Vinyasa Yoga for teenagers.

Pregnant women:

Yoga during pregnancy (prenatal yoga) helps expectant mothers to prepare for the birth, reduce stress and alleviate physical discomfort.

Suitable yoga styles:

Prenatal yoga: special exercises to strengthen and relax during pregnancy.
Gentle Hatha Yoga: Exercises adapted for expectant mothers.

Athletes:

Many athletes integrate yoga into their training programme to increase their flexibility, improve muscle strength and prevent injuries.

Suitable yoga styles:

Vinyasa yoga: Dynamic flows to improve flexibility and strength.
Power Yoga: Intensive training to strengthen the muscles.
Ashtanga Yoga: Strengthening series of asanas.

People with stressful everyday lives:

For anyone with a hectic lifestyle, yoga offers a welcome break to relax and calm the mind.

Suitable yoga styles:

Yin Yoga: Deep relaxation through long held stretches.
Restorative yoga: Gentle poses for relaxation and stress reduction.
Kundalini yoga: Combination of meditation, breathing exercises and postures for stress management.