Best Types of Yoga for Mature Adults Beginning Yoga

What types of yoga are best for you?

The key is to find a yoga style that is right for you because yoga is for everybody, regardless of age, health, or current fitness level.

The types of yoga you're looking for may be advertised as 'user-friendly', 'doable', or 'accessible.' Seek out the styles of yoga classes labeled 'beginning', 'gentle', 'easy', 'restorative', 'user-friendly', or 'introduction to yoga.'

There are lots of different yoga styles being taught today from slow, gentle, and alignment-focused to fast, flowing, and athletically-challenging with everything in between. It may take a little searching to find the type of yoga and teaching style that is right for you, but the benefits are worth it.

Based on my experience, these are some of the styles of yoga to consider when you have health concerns, are not in top physical form, or are approaching mid-life or beyond.

Types of Yoga Suited for Mature Adults Beginning Yoga

Anusara Yoga
Is a Sanskrit (Ancient Indian) word that means 'flowing with grace.' This is one of the relatively new types of yoga founded by John Friend that focuses on attitude, alignment, and action. It's designed to be spiritually inspiring while focusing on proper biomechanics to keep you safe. There tends to be lots of flowery language (such as 'melt your heart with gratitude') and attention to alignment detail.

Many of my favorite Phoenix yoga teachers are Anusara Yoga trained and/or influenced. While the use of sanskrit language and flowery metaphors may be off-putting to some, I find it motivating. The focus on body alignment, proper body mechanics, and doing poses safely has allowed me to keep myself safe in a variety of other types of yoga classes.

Look for a beginning or gentle anusara class. For more information, visit www.anusara.com

Iyengar Yoga
Iyengar yoga is another one of the types of yoga that emphasizes precise muscular and skeletal alignment. Lots of yoga gear and props are used -- like blocks, straps, blankets and bolsters to help you modify the poses to meet your abilities.

This is one of the yoga styles perfect for those who love precision and detail but may be challenging for those who like more movement. For more information, visit www.bksiyengar.com

Kripalu Yoga
Kripalu yoga is referred to as yoga of consciousness. This yoga style puts great emphasis on proper breath, alignment, coordinating breath and movement, and "honoring the wisdom of the body."

You are encouraged to work according to the limits of your individual flexibility and strength. For more information, visit www.kripalu.org

Viniyoga
Viniyoga is one of the more gentle styles of yoga that focuses on linking gentle movement with breath. With Viniyoga function is stressed over form and poses are modified to accommodate your physical limitations.

Many Viniyoga teachers also provide yoga therapy in which individualized yoga programs to help heal injuries and illnesses are prescribed. To learn more, visit www.viniyoga.com

Viniyasa
Is often called flow yoga and offers a lot of variations. It's usually fast paced and challenging with lots of music and creativity in sequencing of the yoga poses.

This is one of the types of yoga that focuses on connecting movement with breath but may be overly challenging for a mature beginner unless you are athletic and in good shape.

Yogafit
Yogafit is one of the styles of yoga often offered in gyms and health clubs. Yogafit classes follow the standard fitness class structure of warm-up, work-out and cool down.

Many Yogafit teachers are also certified as group fitness instructor and/or personal trainers. Yogafit classes are designed to offer a fitness-based, accessible, user-friendly approach to yoga but may be a too vigorous if you are suffering from serious health concerns.

There are many more types of yoga available including Ashtanga, Power, and Bikram, that are extremely vigorous and more suited for young athletic types. For a more detailed look at all the styles of yoga available, check out Yoga Journal

Learn more about the Benefits of Yoga

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