Which New Yoga Class is For You?

Anti-gravity

“Though not technically a yoga class, anti-gravity yoga or “aerial” yoga originated in New York. It mixes yoga, dance and Pilates, and uses a hammock hanging from the ceiling as a tool for each pose. Lots of core strength is required and you’ll find yourself in many inverted poses. The hammock allows yogis to try more advanced poses as it acts as a safety net.”

Broga

“Yep, this is a form of yoga geared to men, where the focus is on strength and fitness as well as flexibility. It has been going for a few years in the US but has only just started in Australia. Men generally have longer bones and larger, bulkier muscles than women, which is one reason they are often less flexible. Some men practise it for relaxation, others to lengthen and stretch muscles after weight training or running.”

Restorative

”This is similar to yin yoga (the two are often confused), but it has less emphasis on flexibility and more on relaxation. Restorative yoga is all about healing the mind and body through simple poses, which are often held for as long as 20 minutes with the help of bolsters, pillows and straps. A good restorative class is more rejuvenating than a nap. It is a great class to do at night if you have anxiety issues or you just want to wind down – you’ll sleep like a baby afterwards.”

Hip-hop

”Don’t worry, hip-hop yoga doesn’t mean you have to bust out your breakdance moves, it just means you’ll probably be doing downward dog to Snoop Dogg. The idea is that synchronising poses to both breath and music will be even more effective at calming our chattering ‘monkey minds’. “

Acro

”This is a blend of acrobatics and yoga, and is heaps of fun provided you have well-trained instructors and a buddy you can trust. Generally, one person is “base” and the other “flies”. It’s actually quite safe (and easier than you might think), as long as you are taught the correct alignment.”