Ideally you should choose a style of yoga then choose a teacher that has a class in that style, then a class at the right level for you. However, if you are new to yoga you won’t know which style you want and if you don’t know any local teachers you won’t know which one to choose. To start with it may be simpler to try out a class that just happens to be convenient in terms of time and location. Selecting a teacher is best done by trying out a lesson to see if you get on with the teacher and their teaching style (as well as the location and the other students!). Please note that there are no legal regulatory requirements for yoga teachers and anybody can call themselves a yoga teacher. You should ask about their qualifications. If you choose a BWY (British Wheel of Yoga) teacher they will have had a thorough training in anatomy, yoga philosophy, teaching, asana, pranayama, meditation, etc. There is a strong emphasis on safety for students and if the teacher has current BWY membership there is comprehensive insurance cover just in case there is an injury. The BWY does not have its own style, so teachers tend to have their own approach which includes elements from many schools depending upon the teachers experience. Most other schools of yoga have a defined style or approach to yoga teaching - for example Iyengar, Bihar and Ashtanga Vinyasa all are highly prescribed. To help you feel more comfortable about your options, I have compiled some information on yoga schools, styles, systems and related styles of body and energy work, although this is not comprehensive by any means! If you want look at web sites that list yoga teachers, please follow this link to my Events & Information page. It also includes suggestions for UK people to find a teacher.

Yoga Styles

School or Style	Description
Agni Yoga	Literally meaning 'fire' agni yoga is a synthesis of several other yogas, principally Raja yoga, Karma Yoga and Bhakti Yoga
Alexander Technique	This is a method of releasing physical and mental tensions that become 'embedded' in our bodies and habits through life experiences. Experience of the Alexander technique through a teacher greatly helps, in my experience, to deepen the awareness and release needed in Hatha Yoga.
Astanga Vinyasa Yoga	Based on the asana limb of Astanga Yoga, it includes joining postures called Vinyasa, and there is usually a fairly rigid sequence of postures executed with pranayama (breath) and bandhas (muscular locks for the retention of prana)
Astanga Yoga	Means 8-limbed yoga path as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali: Yama (moral code), Niyama (self-purification), Asana (postures), Pranayama (breath control), Pratyahara (withdrawal of the senses), Dharana (concentration), Dhyana (meditation) and Samadhi (enlightenment).
Bhakti Yoga	The Yoga of Love and Devotion. The favourite yoga of the Indian masses who focus on particular Hindu gods (typically Krishna). St. Francis of Agassi was probably practising Christian Bhakti Yoga.
Bihar School of Yoga	Founded in 1963 by Swami Satyananda Saraswati in Munger, India - it provides hatha yoga as defined in their book 'Asana, Pranayama, Mudra, Bandha'
BWY Yoga	No specific style or school belongs to the British Wheel of Yoga. It is very open and receptive to all forms of yoga.
Dru-Yoga	Promoted by LFST - Life Foundation School of Therapeutics - that originated at Bangor University in North Wales in the 1970s by Dr Mansukh Patel and John Jones. It is distinctly spiritual and focuses on Body Heart Mind Technology, Energy Block Releases and beautiful flowing sequences of movements and mudras with the body and breath.
Dynamic Yoga	See Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. Dynamic Yoga is a variation pioneered by Godfrey Devereux
Feldenkrais	Similarly to the Alexander Technique of teaching people the inter-relationship between body and mind, Feldenkrais talks about body consciousness. Classes on 'Awareness through Movement' involve psychosomatic re-education using posture and imagination to increase self-awareness and improve body habits.
Hatha Yoga	From the sanskrit words 'Ha' (Sun) and 'tha' (Moon), it is the primary yoga type found in the West with a focus on asana (postures), purification and breath for health and union of the body, mind and spirit.
Integral Yoga	Integral Yoga is a synthesis of yogas to develop all aspects of personal growth and includes raja yoga, japa yoga, hatha yoga, karma yoga, bhakti yoga and jnana yoga.
Iyengar Yoga	A school of hatha yoga with its own teacher training that focuses on stronger yoga postures with emphasis on alignment. Blocks, bricks and belts are often used to get alignment and 'perfect' posture.
Jnana Yoga	From the 8-limbed path of Astanga yoga, Jnana is the path of spiritual knowledge and wisdom through study and meditation to discard the illusory. 'Neti neti' - not this, not that and 'Who am I?' are jnana yoga tools.
Karma Yoga	The path of selfless service. As Krishna says in the Bhagavad Gita 'Whoever lets go attachment to the fruits of his actions, and instead dedicates his actions to God, is not touched by sin, like the lotus leaf is not touched by water'.
Kriya Yoga	This is a form of hatha yoga promoted by Goswami Kriyananda, who founded the Temple of Kriya, after the teachings of Babaji. It combines the 8 limbs of astanga yoga with astrology linked to the chakras.
Kundalini Yoga	This is hatha yoga with an emphasis on awakening the kundalini energy, normally lying dormant at the base chakra, through severe practices of breath retention and meditation.
Laya Yoga	See Kundalini Yoga
Mantra Yoga	Spiritual development through the use of repetitive sounds, which may be sub-vocalised as in Transcendental Mediation. Rhythmic repetition of a mantra like 'Om' is called japa. There are many mantras, some focused on a god, but even the sanskrit alphabet is believed to be effective in stilling the mind and moving closer to samadhi
Meditation	Typically seated with an erect spine, meditation forms the core yoga of ancient times and should be a part of every yogi's practice. It aims to calm the perturbations of the mind to allow the true nature of the mind, the self and the universe to reveal itself in a state called enlightenment, self-realisation or samadhi.
Pilates	A system of physical exercise created by Joseph Pilates in the 1940's with a focus on a powerful centre using the pelvic floor muscles and abdominals. Often known as body sculpting.
Power Yoga	See Astanga Vinyasa Yoga. Power Yoga is a variation pioneered by Beryl Bender Birch
Pranayama	One of the 8 limbs of Astanga Yoga. It is a set of techniques to work with subtle energy or prana through the breath.
Raja (or Royal) Yoga	'Royal' as you become ruler of your mind, raja yoga works upon the mind refining and perfecting it and through the mind on the body. Most people end up combining hatha yoga, focused on the body and breath, with raja yoga.
Reiki	Reiki (pronounced ray key) is a system of natural healing that works with the energy body. The healer attunes to the universal spirit and channels healing energy to the body to gradually dispel dis-ease, primarily through the chakras. Most people practice self-healing and the process of healing calms the mind considerably.
Sahaja Yoga	Literally meaning 'born with you', sahaja yoga works on de-conditioning the mind so that self-realisation is achieved, kundalini energy rises and the light of divine love emanates out to others.
Sapta Yoga	This is Hatha Yoga based on the classical text the 'Gheranda Samhita', and is taught at the Patanjali Yoga Center in Katmandhu, Nepal.
Siddha Yoga	Siddha Yoga Meditation has the goal of self-realisation through meditation, chanting, contemplation, study and selfless service (karma yoga). It is based upon Vedanta and Kashmir Shivaism.
Sufism	Sufism is a path of purification employing mental and spiritual meditative disciplines to achieve an experience of God. Its origins are in Islam and is named after the woollen garments worn by Muslim ascetics.
Surat Shabd or Nada Yoga	This form of yoga connects the soul to the universal consciousness through the use of meditation and sound (shabd) and is of Sikh origins, based on the texts of Sant Kabir. Eckankar is a similar following.
Tai-Chi	This is a form of moving meditation based upon a self-defensive martial art created by a Taoist monk from China about 800 years ago. Tai Chi must be practised mindfully and provides a high degree of awareness and tranquillity.
Tantric Yoga	Becoming enlightened through the opening up of the chakras to allow the prana to move up the sushumna is a general yogic goal. Tantric yoga achieves this through the power of sexual energy on the basis that it is natural and loving and so cannot be contrary to God.
Transcendental Meditation	This is a form of mantra meditation created for westerners by Maharishi Mahesh Yogi. Two 20 minute meditations per day to create a calmer mind with many benefits including creativity and eventually siddhis.
Vini Yoga	The Viniyoga tradition is a form of hatha yoga that avoids mere mechanical practice of asana but adapts to the body's current condition through self-awareness - rather like the Alexander Technique - and release habitual stress patterns in the body.
Yantra Yoga	With the use of sight and form upon which to contemplate, Yantra Yoga aims to calm the mind to allow the true self to shine through. Mandala patterns are also yantra.
Yoga of Synthesis	A synthesis of karma yoga, bhakti yoga, jnana yoga and raja yoga. Yoga of Synthesis is also another name for Arhatic yoga which uses a systematic method to awaken kundalini and activate the chakras, rather like kundalini yoga.

It should be emphasised, though, that the actual path you take is not that important as they can all lead to the same ultimate state of enlightenment. The important thing is to start and persevere! At the end of the day it is YOUR yoga - enjoy!

© Copyright 2001,2002, 2003, Don Kent