Bend, Burn, Be Mindful

Yoga—it is not just for wealthy granola-crunching vegans who sip kombucha while doing headstands.

The 5,000-year-old practice is as student friendly as it gets. If you cannot commit to an in-studio class or cannot fork up the dough for one, don’t stress. There is an influx of free yoga content on websites like YouTube. With easy access, you can practice from the comfort of your own room. Don’t worry about only having a few feet of space because a few feet are all you need.

Yoga is often commended for its ability to combine strength, flexibility and cardiovascular training into one activity. Yet what makes the practice especially unique and ideal for students is its focus on mindfulness, which, according to many, carries over into all aspects of daily life.

“People find, after getting into it for the physical reasons, there’s mental and spiritual benefits as well,” said Sharon Cardamone, a Boston-based yoga instructor of 26 years.

Yoga experts throw around some terminology that can be intimidating to beginners. It can be hard to get started when you can’t make sense of those words. Here is a quick breakdown of a few common styles to look out for, each promising different experiences and reaping different results.

For the Beginner

Hatha

The umbrella term for yoga practices that teach physical postures. A hatha practice is ideal for beginners looking to build a solid foundation of basic poses, as it combines mild to moderate physical exertion with mindful consideration and reflection.

For the Stressed

Yin/Restorative

Often described interchangeably, Yin and Restorative yoga utilize props that allow practitioners to reap the rejuvenating spiritual and mental benefits of common poses without the physical exertion.

For the Athletically-Driven

Vinyasa

Named after the Sanskrit term that roughly translates to “to place in a special way”, this physically demanding style focuses on linkage of breath with movement as well as smooth transitions from pose to pose. A typical vinyasa practice gets your heart pumping, serving as killer cardio while focusing on moving and breathing with mindful intention.

Power

Vinyasa’s gym-rat cousin. Popular for its emphasis on strength and flexibility, this quick-paced and physically rigorous style incorporates vinyasa breathing techniques, but is less spiritually engaging.

By Nicole Wilkes | Illustrations by Katie Hong and Samantha West | Design by Solana Chatfield