When choosing a yoga studio or a specific class, it is important to understand the many different types of yoga practice. While slight differences exist in how various teachers conduct classes in each of the yoga styles mentioned below, the underlying core for each yoga type is strongly established.
Different Types of Yoga

Experienced yogis have one or two styles they prefer to practice. For beginner and intermediate students, learning several different types of yoga can be a beneficial experience. It is especially important for absolute beginners to try several different yoga classes before deciding whether or not yoga is something for them; while one person may strongly prefer a slow-moving meditative practice, others may find this type of class boring and ineffective, preferring a more athletic type of yoga instead.

Here are just a few styles of yoga practice.

Ashtanga Yoga
A physically-demanding style of yoga, Ashtanga Yoga is a type that moves quickly from one pose to another. The style incorporates vinyasa, or flowing with breath, and combines this movement with static postures. Ashtanga ispopular among athletes because it stresses the physical aspects (and provides many physical benefits) of yoga. While slower-moving, more meditative, types of yoga may help practitioners clear their minds, therefore relieving stress, Ashtanga can be a stress-relieving experience due to its level of physical activity. Like a good run or any other vigorous exercise, Ashtanga reduces stress and improves overall physical condition. This is one of the most popular types of yoga.

Hatha Yoga
While, technically speaking, Hatha Yoga is a term that refers to the physical aspects of doing yoga (asanas/poses, as opposed to the breathing exercises or meditation practices), some studios offer classes that are titled 'hatha yoga', which can cause some confusion about what to expect. Usually, a class that is advertised as a Hatha yoga class will be a pretty traditional yoga experience, a rather slow-moving class with quite some meditative elements, and poses that are held for longer periods of time than in a flow yoga setting. If a studio you are considering offers this class, you may want to call and ask what the class is like, or ask if the studio offers trial classes for newcomers; the best way to find out what the session is really like is to simply try it.

Bikram Yoga and Hot Yoga
Many people use the terms "Bikram" and "Hot" Yoga interchangeably, but while Bikram Yoga is a type of hot yoga, not all Hot Yoga is Bikram Yoga.

Bikram yoga refers to an unchanging series of 26 yoga postures that are always performed in the same order to make up a Bikram class. In addition, classes of this type can only be offered by teachers who are certified in Bikram, because this style is not just a type of yoga, but an intricate method developed by Bikram Choudhury.

In contrast, Hot Yoga refers to any yoga class that is done in a heated room. While most classes are fast-moving, athletic practices, any series of postures may be used in a Hot Yoga class, and various amounts of meditation and breathing exercises may be incorporated into the practice.

Kundalini Yoga
The most meditative of the various styles of yoga, Kundalini Yoga aims to unleash the unused energy resting inside every person who practices it. The idea behind this type of yoga is to release potential energy that most people in daily life fail to recognize or utilize; for many newcomers, the experience of Kundalini Yoga can be an overwhelming one. Practicing this type of yoga with a very experienced teacher is the best way to get good results without having any of the negative side effects that can accompany the practice, such as lightheadedness or nausea. A widely spiritual practice, Kundalini Yoga is best for people looking for mental benefits from yoga, as opposed to those looking to gain physical strength and/or lose weight.

Iyengar Yoga
Another popular yoga class is Iyengar Yoga, created by B.K.S. Iyengar. It is somewhere between the athletic styles and the meditative styles. The poses that make up the most common Iyengar asanas for a class are meant to be executed in a controlled manner and held for a longer period of time than a pose practiced in a yoga flow class. Despite this slow style of execution, Iyengar Yoga can have significant physical benefits in addition to the mental benefits, which include relaxation, stress relief, and an increased ability to focus.

Power Yoga
Created by Baron Baptiste, this style is similar in some ways to Ashtanga Yoga because it focuses on practicing poses in rapid succession. Power Yoga does not have a specific set of postures or a specific order in which to complete them. Studios create their own Power Yoga classes based on what their teachers and students find to be the most beneficial poses and sequencing. Athletes usually enjoy this style because it challenges them more than some slower-moving yoga classes; in addition, this type of yoga has significant health benefits, from muscle building to improved circulation.

Choosing Your Types

When considering the different types of yoga, be sure to evaluate both the outcome you would like to have, as well as the type of workout you prefer. People who have never tried yoga will do well to experiment with several different types of yoga before choosing one or two to practice regularly. In any case, if the first type you try does not satisfy you at all, by all means try another style, or two or three, before deciding whether or not a style has something in it for you.