This is a guest post by upcoming retreat leader to Floating Leaf Eco-Luxury Retreat, Nina Hayes
I’m often asked, “Which style of yoga is best?” Just as I’m a strong believer that there is no such thing as a “best” diet, there is no “best” yoga. However, there is a yoga style that will support your unique personality and needs. For both the newbie and the seasoned practitioner, the following tips will guide you in discovering a style that will catalyze a vibrant body, mind, and spirit.
Bali yoga retreat leader, Nina Hayes
- Lineage
Who founded the style and is it based on yogic wisdom or a fad?
Some newer styles are fantastic, though you’ll want to do your homework to see whether the style is based in trusted yogic sources including texts like the Hatha Yoga Pradipika or Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. Having a lineage also means careful transmission of teachings. Typically, this includes extensive teacher training and ongoing mentoring of existing teachers.
- Your Body
Honor where you are today
If you are nursing a sprained ankle it’s probably not the best time to begin a demanding Ashtanga practice, though restorative yoga might be perfect. Our bodies are in a constant state of transformation and what is appropriate at one stage of life may not serve you in the next.
- Enjoyment
If you don’t like it, you wont stick to it!
Yoga requires consistent effort to work its magic and while every practice won’t leave you blissed out, you’ll want to feel better post practice. I suggest evaluating at lease three sessions of a particular style noticing the effects of the practice on both your body and mind.
Once you find a yoga style that feels like home, you’ll benefit by committing to it. If possible, study with the same teacher or few teachers within a given style. This will allow the teacher and student to cultivate trust and will provide you with the repetition necessary for transformation.
Nina Hayes is a yoga instructor, real foods lifestyle coach, and Reiki practitioner devoted to creating uplifting and transformative retreat experiences. To learn more about Nina and sign-up for her retreat in Bali this September visit https://development.balifloatingleaf.com/retreat_packages/let-go-be-free-bali-retreat/
