I’d grown up doing yoga in my living room with my mom, kind of doing the movements, but mostly just enjoying being there with my mom. My first experience in a yoga studio was a vividly different one. After a friend had asked me to join a class, I said yes with a perceived gusto and much hidden fear and reserve. What my friend failed to tell me is that we were going to one of the hardest classes in the area.
Arriving in the studio I took in every detail to get an idea of what to expect and followed my friend mimicking their actions through my listlessness. After entering the heated room, I found it to be uncomfortable at first. Upon sitting after situating my mat, towel, blocks, and water bottle, I began to relax a little and found a warm comfort in the heated room.
How did the class go? It was challenging, and… fun. I found myself looking around at the other more seasoned students, and at my friend following the teacher and found myself inspired. Everyone was sweating and moving through their practice with determination, passion, and some with grace. I had to take multiple breaks, but I found a love for hot yoga and the challenge of finding my limits while also giving myself grace for not being on the same journey as the others.
This I recognize is not similar to most people’s first experiences in a yoga studio. That first step into the room can make or break your yoga journey. Most often people just don’t know what they’ve signed up for. Yoga in the United States is a large blanket that encompasses a wide array of lineages, each with its own unique philosophy, practice, and emphasis. It’s important to have some idea of options so you can find the style that fits you in your phase of life.
Here are some of the prominent ones practiced in the Midwest.
Vinyasa Yoga
Often referred to as “flow” yoga, Vinyasa emphasizes fluid movement from one pose to the next, synchronized with breath. It is a dynamic and athletic form of yoga that evolved from Ashtanga Yoga. Classes often include varied sequences that enhance cardiovascular health, flexibility, and strength.
Power Yoga
Is an offshoot of Vinyasa and while it matches Vinyasa in many ways, Power Yoga includes core work, weights, and a faster pace. Focus is on strength and may include more hand & arm balances than other vinyasa classes, especially in the Midwest.
Restorative Yoga
Restorative Yoga involves holding gentle poses for extended periods with the support of props such as bolsters and blankets. Focus is to hold to surrender. It emphasizes deep relaxation and recovery, making it ideal for stress relief and healing. The practice is designed to activate the parasympathetic nervous system, promoting overall well-being and balance.
Yin Yoga
Yin Yoga is a slow-paced style of yoga with postures that are held for longer periods, typically three to five minutes. It targets the connective tissues, such as ligaments and fascia, rather than focusing on the muscles. This practice aims to improve circulation in the joints and increase flexibility, while promoting a meditative state.
Hatha Yoga
This practice is often considered the foundation of all yoga styles, focusing on physical postures (asanas) and breath control (pranayama). It aims to align and calm the body, mind, and spirit in preparation for meditation. Hatha classes typically provide the most basic yoga postures and are held for 4–5 breaths depending on the teacher.
Ashtanga Yoga
Developed by K. Pattabhi Jois, Ashtanga Yoga is a vigorous style of yoga that follows a specific sequence of postures and is synchronized with the breath. This physically demanding practice builds strength, flexibility, and stamina. It is known for its dynamic flowing sequence and is the origin of modern Vinyasa yoga.
Meditation & Breathwork
This practice, often rooted in ancient traditions, has gained significant popularity as a tool for stress reduction, mental clarity, and overall well-being. This style has little to no movement and is practiced seated or lying. This practice focuses wholly on the breath and internal mind.
Kundalini Yoga
Popularized in the West by Yogi Bhajan, Kundalini Yoga combines postures, breathing exercises, chanting, and meditation to awaken the kundalini energy at the base of the spine. It focuses on spiritual and personal growth, aiming to increase self-awareness and inner peace.
Picking a Style
Everybody is unique and through exploring different styles you may find something specific somewhere you didn’t imagine. These recommendations are simply to give you some direction, but always listen to your intuition on what is a fit for you!
Individuals who are sedentary due to jobs that limit movement may find themselves in a disposition towards high mental stress leading to mental fatigue. Styles that may support them best are: Hatha, Yin and Restorative yoga.
Those who are in physically demanding jobs, or high activity level, may find styles that provide dynamic flow attractive such as Vinyasa, Ashtanga, Power Yoga.
You know your body better than anyone else, try a couple of different options and let the style find you. Who you are as a person uniquely defines what yoga styles support you and it may change just like the seasons.
Picking a Studio
There are multiple options right in the heart of Wichita. Depending on what style you wish to try will determine where you start your search. After finding some options, locate the schedule or a class description page to help you determine if there are levels and what different types they offer.
Attending Your First Class
Can definitely be intimidating. Grab a friend to join you or maybe you already know someone who goes to that studio, ask them if you can sit next to them or if there’s anything you should be aware of beforehand such as what you need to bring or class etiquette.
Here are some things you may want to bring, but most spaces provide them to you or have them for rental.
- Water bottle with closed lid
- Yoga Mat
- Yoga Towel (for power yoga, hot yoga)
- Hand towel
Props – depending on the class there will be props supplied to you. Standard at studios are blocks and straps. However, bolsters, sandbags, blankets, and more are available.
First and foremost do not wear shoes onto the studio floors as it can damage the floor.
- Slow does not always mean easy
- Do not judge your practice on what you see on the mats around you
- Be willing to try a different style to help lock in what fits for you now and what may fit later
- Always listen to your body
