Hatha vs Yin; Which Beginner Yoga Class is Right for You?

So you’re ready to start your yoga journey. Yay.  Maybe one of your friends has been telling you how much they love class or the algorithm has been popping content up on your page, or maybe your doctor has told you that yoga will help you with those aches and pains. Great, but wait - where to start! A quick Google search will bring up millions of pages, videos and images and with so many different styles of yoga to choose from it can feel a little overwhelming even knowing where to begin. Let me help you here my friend with a little breakdown of two styles of yoga, the differences, similarities and how to help you choose one that’s the right fit for you. 

What is Hatha Yoga? 

• Traditional practice from Indian culture. 

• Broadly speaking, Hatha yoga is a style of physical practice that is typically at a slower pace than a flow class. 

• Holding static poses for a few breaths to help you learn alignment for your body.  

• Build strength and bone density using body weight.  

• Connect to your breath and focus on steady breathing throughout.  

How does Hatha Yoga feel in the Body? 

It will feel perhaps a little challenging if this is your first ever class, but not impossible. Yoga can help support many functions in your body from the mobility of joints, strengthening and lengthening of muscles around joints to help your posture, the respiratory system with the pranayama (breathing) practices and the nervous system through meditation. When everything is working together well you might feel energised yet calm and grounded at the same time. This might sound contradictory but it the feeling of balance and equilibrium in the body, or the unity of all the parts of you working together. 

What Can You Expect in a Hatha Yoga Class? 

This is totally dependent on the teacher and their sequencing. There are many many yoga asanas (poses) from standing, kneeling, seated, reclined, prone or side lying. And within that there could be a selection of twists, forward folds, back bends, balances. The class might have a physical theme like a focus on anatomy, or a seasonal theme perhaps a philosophical theme. It could be something from the yoga sutras(ancient texts) related to the wider context of yoga as a way of life. Or maybe something else. 

Now lets switch gears and have a look at Yin Yoga. 

What is Yin Yoga? 

Yin yoga was developed combining teachings of traditional yoga poses with elements of Traditional Chinese Meridian Theory. It has a different energetic quality to Hatha Yoga, different names for the poses and different intensity and tone. 

• The poses are all seated or reclined (apart from one) 

• Postures are held statically for longer period of time (3minutes or more) 

• The focus is on softening and releasing for the deeper connective tissue in the body. 

• It is deeply relaxing and grounding. 

• Props are used to allow more comfort and access. 

How does Yin Yoga Feel in the Body? 

Due to the longer passive holds yin can feel very calming and grounding. The muscles are encouraged to relax and release to allow space for the connective tissue to soften. At first the long holds might feel a bit boring or maybe the time will pass quickly, the time spent in stillness will encourage a connection to the present moment, making this a mindful practice. The poses might feel more accessible and with the use of props very comfortable, this is not about going for a full range of movement but finding a place to stop and hold that is sustainable for the time in the pose allowing tension to be released. 

What Can You Expect in a Yin Yoga Class?

As this is a floor based practice you can expect to be seated with your props and practice a shorter number of postures but with longer holds. The class might be themed around the meridians in the body, a seasonal theme or something else depending on the teacher. 

Which one should you choose? 

There isn't a wrong choice. Just listen to your body and notice what you're craving; some energy or rest? I’d say try both and feel the differences. You might be all in for Yin or here for Hatha. Try them both and find your yoga rhythm. 

Where to try class? 

Good news is that there are 2 new blocks of instruction to these styles starting right here in Aberdeen. Beginners Hatha starts on 1st September at the new One Wellness studio Bridge of Don or Introduction to Yin starts on 2nd September at Riverside Studio. You can book your space at wiselittleyogi.com. 

Whether you’re drawn to Hatha or Yin (or maybe both) yoga is all about meeting yourself where you are. I would be honoured to guide you on your journey - and I promise you'll be welcomed with warmth and a smile.

Ali x