How to choose the right school of practice for you. There are almost as many styles of yoga as there are yoga teachers. Here is a list of styles and their features so you can find one that's suitable. Whatever you choose, find a good teacher who has undergone hundreds of hours of training.
Flow a.k.a Vinyasa
Can be soft and slow, or a vigorous, strength-building cardio workout, depending on the teacher and the class.
Probably the most popular style in a Western culture that values achievement over spirituality; this style developed into "power yoga."
Recommended for "Type A" competitive folk who like sports or work in demanding, high-pressure jobs (harder classes), and low-stamina folk hoping to build strength and endurance.
Iyengar
Slower, stretchy movement that emphasizes precise alignment of the body in each posture; employs lots of props and body inversions.
Unforgiving of losing "correct" alignment.
Recommended for those with back problems or people not interested in the spiritual component of the practice.
Kundalini
Seeks to unlock the body's potential by focusing on chakras.
The quest for spiritual and psychological growth is central; lots of meditation and chanting.
Recommended for the open-minded (Kundalini strikes some as dogmatic and overtly religious) and the pregnant (it's low-impact).
Yin
Focuses on opening the joints and interior tissues of the body.
Seems like a softer style—until you try holding a camel pose for 20 minutes.
Recommended for people who want to gain flexibility more than muscle or are "tight" mentally from working in a high-pressure environment.
Anusara
One of the youngest and fastest-growing styles; it means "following your heart."
Seems hippie-ish at first—each class begins with a chant in Sanskrit—but it's also powerfully athletic, with meditation.
Recommended for those interested in trying meditation and relaxation techniques.
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