A good teacher will not do his or her own practice at the front of the room. Regular attendance is needed to really reap the benefits. Aim to go to a class every few days – later, you can consider committing to a course. Newcomers can sign up for deals such as £20 for 14 consecutive days of classes. The most cost-effective way is to take advantage of studio offers. Yoga can be expensive, especially in the larger cities. All teachers have their own unique focus based on their personalities, their own yoga practice and where and with whom they've trained. When you think you've settled on a style of yoga you enjoy, try a few different teachers. This is how I started my yoga journey – by watching and copying. Some classes – marked general or open level – are suitable for all.

And for those who are relatively healthy and want a challenge, ashtanga vinyasa or vinyasa flow might be a good choice.īefore you make a decision, try a few of the most common styles of yoga that you might see on a yoga studio (or gym) timetable. Perhaps try yin or hatha yoga. Those who have an injury or live with a chronic medical condition such as arthritis might want to try Iyengar yoga, or one-to-one sessions with a teacher where you will be able to focus on alignment and your unique needs. If you are drawn to experience the spiritual side, you could try jivamukti.

That way, you can balance your fitness routine.

For example, if you're already doing lots of strength training your best choice is likely to be a yoga style that focuses more on flexibility. But to get the most benefit and the most enjoyment, you need to find a yoga style and a teacher that suits you. All yoga styles create a feeling of lightness, ease and relaxation.

Hatha yoga one hour sequence