Yoga Can Help Injury Prevention & Recovery

Best Types of Yoga for Recovery

• 1

  Restorative yoga

  It's in the name. Restorative. Recover. Same goal. Sometimes it might feel like you aren’t really doing much because Restorative yoga is a mellow, slow-moving practice with longer poses/holds. These give the body a chance to tap into the parasympathetic nervous system, which provides deeper relaxation. This yoga practice involves props like blankets, bolsters and yoga blocks. It’s beneficial for just about everyone, especially those who might be dealing with anxiety or insomnia.

• 2

  Power yoga

  This is an umbrella term for hybrids of several forms of yoga, including Ashtanga yoga and Vinyasa yoga. It’s more intense than Restorative yoga. Power yoga is a great tool for an active recovery day where you are still getting movement in but at in less intensive session.

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  Vinyasa yoga

  This practice links continuous movement and breath together in a faster pace that will remind you of dancing. It’s great for those who like to get the heart beating. There’s often music playing that matches specific sequences of poses.

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  Hatha yoga

  This practice is ideal for beginners because of the slower pace. It requires you to hold each pose for a few breaths.

• 5

  Iyengar yoga

  This is a detail-oriented practice that focuses on the body’s alignment in each pose. It’s recommended by many doctors for patients overcoming injury. You’ll use props like yoga blocks, blankets, straps and rope walls to help you work within a range of motion that is safe and effective.

• 6

  Bikram yoga

  This form of yoga is for those who want to break a sweat. Bikram consists of a specific series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises in a room heated to 105 degrees with 40-percent humidity. All Bikram studios practice the same 90-minute sequence so it’s ideal for those who travel a lot.

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  Hot yoga

  Hot yoga is similar to Bikram because it’s practiced in a hot room but it’s not constrained by the same 26-pose routine. If you like to sweat, this is the one for you.

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  Kundalini yoga

  This practice of yoga is for people looking for a more spiritual experience. It emphasizes the internal aspects of yoga, including breathing, meditation, chanting, singing and spiritual energy. The goal is to release untapped inner energy and bring your self-awareness to a higher level.

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  Yin yoga

  This form of meditative yoga concentrates on stretching, flexibility and unwinding. Poses are held for several minutes and target deep connective tissues and fascia, while restoring length and elasticity. Practitioners swear on its restorative power.