There truly is a yoga style for everyone! While the origins of yoga date back almost 5,000 years, yoga styles and philosophies are constantly being developed - from power to restorative and from prenatal to yoga for seniors.
Personality Types
It can be hard to sort through all the different options, so here we offer you the best yoga style for you based on your personality type.
To match you with a yoga class you’ll love, we use the Enneagram, a powerful personality system with ancient roots. Almost as old as yoga itself, the Enneagram’s origins date back to ancient Greece and Mesopotamia. Sometimes called the Rosetta Stone of human behavior, this personality system offers nine distinct personality styles based on your habit of attention.
Match Your Personality Type to Your Yoga Style
Type 1: The Perfectionist/Anusara-Inspired YogaYour habit of attention goes to improvement, efficiency, and getting things right. You have high standards, a strong work ethic, and a never-ending to-do list of all your tasks and chores. Your attention to detail is one of your strong points, but it can be hard for you to leave things as “good enough.”
Anusara-Inspired Yoga, with its emphasis on alignment and precision, is a great match for your personality. The philosophy highlights the three As: alignment, attitude, and action, and the practice is balancing for your personality. It encourages you to shift your focus from perfecting a pose to enhancing the goodness and beauty that already exists within you. Get started with this class called Anusara Alignment.
Type 2: The Helper/Restorative YogaYour habit of attention goes to the needs, wants, and desires of other people. You have high emotional intelligence, work hard in support of others, and place a lot of value in your relationships. You can be so focused on other people that you lose touch with your own needs, and self-care can be neglected.
Restorative Yoga is the practice for you. You spend a lot of your time in support of others, so you’ll do well with a soothing practice that offers your body relaxation and healing. Restorative Yoga gives you the chance to connect deeply with your body and will leave you feeling refreshed and renewed. Try The Art of Letting Go to get started.
Type 3: The Achiever/Yoga SculptYour habit of attention goes to achievement, and you like to be the best. You can be motivating and inspiring, and you don’t just like to compete, you like to win. Your high energy and always on-the-go attitude are notable, but you have to be careful you don’t get too focused on your image.
You’ll like the way Yoga Sculpt combines yoga exercises and strength training to create a full-body workout. This high intensity practice will appeal to your competitive nature, and you’ll likely get a toned body at the same time. Remember to be mindful that you don’t make your yoga practice a competition-this is about connecting with yourself. Get started with this Yoga Sculpt Basics class.
Type 4: The Individualist/Kundalini YogaYour habit of attention goes to the emotional world, and it is easy for you to focus on what is missing. Committed to authenticity, you are comfortable operating outside the mainstream, and seek to deeply understand yourself and others. You have high emotional fluency, you are tuned into the subtle undercurrents of situations, and it’s easy for you to feel dissatisfied.
Kundalini Yoga will intrigue you with its unique approach and its counterculture vibe. You do the practice with your eyes closed, and this style of yoga seeks to put you in touch with your higher self through a combination of movement, breathing, and in some classes, chanting. Try this Kundalini Yoga class for Positive Mental Projection.
Type 5: The Investigator/Ashtanga YogaYour habit of attention goes to resources, the demands of the outside world, and concerns about being overwhelmed. You are capable of deep focus, and when you are interested in something, you want to learn all about it. You like to plan things carefully, and you pride yourself on your fact-based, rational approach to things. Spontaneity doesn’t come easily to you.
You will love the predictability of Ashtanga Yoga, which features a set routine of movements, including sun salutations, standing poses, and seated poses. The practice builds on itself, and you’ll like the fact that you can go at your own pace. Get started with the First Series of Ashtanga.
Type 6: The Loyalist/Yin YogaYour habit of attention goes to danger and threats to your security. You have an awareness of what can go wrong, a strong sense of duty, and deep loyalty. You are excellent at spotting problems before they escalate into a crisis, but all this scanning for danger can leave you anxious and stressed.
Yin Yoga is the style for you. Using gentle, relaxing postures, this form of yoga will help lower your stress and quiet your anxious thoughts. With your danger scanning mind, you might worry about getting hurt in yoga classes, so you’ll be happy to know there is a low chance of injury in this low impact, slow-paced practice. Try Yin Yoga to Calm Your Nerves.
Type 7: The Enthusiast/Vinyasa Your habit of attention goes to the positive, and you love trying new things. You are upbeat, optimistic, and your energy and enthusiasm uplift others. Adventure-seeking and curious, you are easily distracted and holding focus can be challenging for you.
Vinyasa classes are great for you because the fast-paced flow holds your attention, and it is unlikely you’ll get bored. When the movements are paired with synchronized breathing, it is even better for you, since staying connected to the present moment is excellent for your forward-thinking personality. Try this Morning Manifestation Flow to get started.
Type 8: The Leader/Power Yoga Your habit of attention goes to power and power dynamics. Decisive, assertive, resourceful, and direct, you have a soft spot for the underdog and a protective nature. You like to feel strong and in control, and you hate feeling weak and vulnerable.
Power Yoga, with its emphasis on physical strength, is right up your alley.
This vigorous practice is designed to get your body strong, and you will appreciate its direct, no-nonsense style. Try this Half an Hour of Power class to get started.
Type 9: The Peacemaker/Hatha YogaYour habit of attention goes to harmony, and you hate conflict. You’ve got a mellow, easy-going nature, good listening skills, and you are the one who de-escalates disagreements and helps the rest of us find common ground. You are so good at listening to others, you often lose your own priorities, and inaction and sloth can be issues for you.
Hatha Yoga is perfect for you because it is one of the most accessible forms of yoga. If getting started is the hardest part for you, Hatha Yoga makes it easier by offering lots of classes and styles within the Hatha Yoga family. Try this Begin with the Basics class to get started.
To Summarize: A Yoga Style For Everyone
As you can see, there are different strokes for different folks, and one person’s favorite yoga class might be something another person wrinkles their nose at. The important thing is to experiment until you find the style (and teacher) that resonate with you. If you are looking for something specific, search the entire YogaToday library, since it is likely they’ve got an on-demand class that meets your needs.Learn more about the Enneagram here. And as a special gift, YogaToday subscribers can download “Headstart for Happiness: A Guide Book Using Kundalini Yoga and the Enneagram” for free using the code “yogatoday”.
