Going into most yoga classes, you can be pretty sure what to expect. All you have to do is bring your yoga mat, a water bottle, and prepare to get your zen on. However, not everyone loves doing the same practice week after week, and that's why instructors and studios started reinventing yoga by including all your favorite things.
One of the most commonly-known types is hot yoga, where the participants do downward-facing dog, warrior pose, and many more in a room heated up like a sauna. The hot temperature can help your body detox and slow down both movements and breathing. If that's not for you, you'll definitely find a type of yoga you like from the list below!
1. Beer Yoga
Having a cold one on a hot day is pure bliss, and somebody decided it was a good idea to guzzle while stretching. Not surprisingly, beer yoga is popular in Germany and Australia, where people use a bottle of beer to achieve focus and balance. Every once in a while, everyone stops for a sip.
"BeerYoga is fun but it's no joke," founder Jhula said. "We take the philosophies of yoga and pair it with the pleasure of beer-drinking to reach your highest level of consciousness."
2. Tantrum Yoga
I could get on board with this one. Tantrum yoga is exactly what it sounds like: You arrive, roll out your mat, and start screaming. Instructors also incorporate "voice techniques such a yelling, stomping and even chest pounding." Of course, it also includes the yoga poses you know and love.
As noisy as it sounds, tantrum yoga has great reviews. Participants find it cathartic, because they have a safe space to release negative emotions such as anger and frustration.
3. Goat Yoga
You've probably heard of this one already, because it's gaining popularity. Studios are letting a bunch of kids run wild during a yoga class, but it's not what you're thinking. Basically, adorable baby goats run around during the practice and jump on your back whenever they feel like it.
"People are desperate for something that is pure and peaceful," said Lainey Morse, who uses her farm as a yoga studio. "It's really hard to be in pain and sad when there's baby goats jumping around you," she said.
4. Aerial Yoga
Of all the crazy types of yoga, this is the one I've tried, and it's marvelous. Aerial or anti-gravity yoga uses silk hammocks to allow you to get a deeper stretch through your hips and spine. It's a low-impact routine, designed to help you relax and pretend you're a Cirque du Soleil performer.
But beware! Some of the upside-down poses make give you motion sickness. Try a restorative class first before you attempt the "flying" workouts.
5. SUP Yoga
Balance is key with stand up paddle boarding yoga (SUP). If you enjoy the outdoors, but don't want to give up yoga for the summer, this is for you! These yoga classes allow you to relax while gazing into calm blue waters and (hopefully) bring you closer to rock-hard abs as you focus on keeping the board stable.
Click to the next page to find out how people play musical instruments while doing yoga!
6. Harmonica Yoga
Deep breathing is a technique I still haven't mastered, so this class would be amazing. Using this wind instrument, David Harp says breathing patterns can be improved. He calls this the "HarMantra," which is both breathing and the resulting sound from the harmonica as participants perform each movement. Weird, but cool.
7. Rave Yoga
Peace and harmony and slow breathing? That's not a part of this form of yoga. If you don't want to go to the club but still want to get your groove on, try a dynamic practice including fast dance music, stretching, and glow sticks.
In case you were wondering, this is a dry event (no drinking), but you will be able to bust a move!
8. Karaoke Yoga
Singing and being outrageous with your friends isn't just for Friday nights. Some yoga instructors have abandoned the traditional yoga practice and brought in a DJ and big screens to display song lyrics. Rather than focus on peace and relaxation, this class is more dance than yoga, allowing you to tap into your inner joy.
9. Laughter Yoga
Laughter has been proven to reduce stress and anxiety, so why not incorporate it into yoga and get double the benefits? During a typical class, participants will go through a variety of laughing exercises, including clapping and sometimes dancing.
Overall, it's made to be playful and joyful. We could all use more of that in our lives!
10. Bunny Yoga
Do you find your happy place during yoga? You might find it even faster if there are cute little bunnies hopping around. Pets create a therapeutic atmosphere wherever you are, so it makes sense that bunnies would make a practice even more relaxing due to their curious and calm temperaments. Count me in!
Which type of yoga would you try? Let us know in the comments!
