There are several reasons as to why someone may find themselves interested in practicing yoga. For some, it is a physical pursuit, one that allows them to strengthen their core and improve flexibility. For others, the journey is more inward, with yoga practice giving them the respite to clear their mind and find a regular form of restoration.
Many forms of yoga are historic and have their roots in Asian cultures, while others are more modern inventions, being created in the West as yoga becomes practiced on a larger scale each year. This diversity means that beginners and experts can find their comfort zone more easily too.
This varied motivation is why yoga is not necessarily a single pursuit and, as time goes on, the yoga community sees itself becoming increasingly varied. To show you how, as well as to help inspire your new yoga adventure, here are three alternative forms of yoga for 2024.
Hot Yoga
Previously taking its name from Bikram Choudhury, this form of yoga is now referred to as hot yoga. This is because it takes place not among natural landscapes or inside a gym but, instead, in an active sauna. Practitioners embrace the heat and cycle through a set sequence of twenty-six poses, feeling their body temperature rise.
With pores opening and being cleansed by steam, hot yoga is remarkably restorative, leading many practitioners to feel entirely rejuvenated after a session. It is also a fantastic way to keep up yoga practice throughout the year too since saunas are an ideal destination during the colder months.
Paddleboard Yoga
While this may seem more appropriate for the adventurous, paddleboard yoga, also known as SUP yoga, is actually for those who want to best connect with nature.
Stand-up paddleboarding is a relaxed approach to the water, offering a stable platform on the water for exploration, photography, and even yoga. While some boards are designed for speed, others are designed for comfort and stability, making them ideal for yoga practitioners.
SUP yoga benefits are plentiful and many regular practitioners discuss how the movement of the water is a great backdrop upon which to both improve balance and strength while also helping to relax and distract the mind.
Yin Yoga
If you’re not looking to reach new temperatures or find your inner peace on lakes and shores, then yin yoga may be the right pursuit for you. This form of yoga is characterized by its slowness, with inner peace being the priority. As such, it is pursued largely by those who embrace yoga as a mental health practice, as well as those who may find themselves wanting to take a more measured approach to their yoga.
Posture and positioning in yin yoga is generally held for around two minutes, making this a brilliant practice for beginners who are finding their feet. The generous amount of time allowed for each position gives the mind time to settle without the concern of what’s to come.
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