“What kind of yoga should I try?” is one of the most common questions from anyone new to a mat. Studios often list a dozen style names with no explanation, which makes picking a class feel harder than it needs to be. Here’s what actually separates the three most common starting points.

Hatha: Slow, Foundational, Beginner-Friendly

Hatha classes move at a steady, unhurried pace, holding each posture long enough to focus on alignment and breath before moving to the next. There’s no rush from pose to pose, which makes it the easiest style to learn proper form in without feeling overwhelmed. If you’re brand new to yoga, Hatha is almost always the right place to start.

Vinyasa: Continuous, Breath-Linked Movement

Vinyasa links movement to breath in a continuous flow, moving from one posture directly into the next rather than pausing between them. It’s more physically demanding and cardiovascular than Hatha, and works best for people who already have some yoga experience or a reasonable baseline fitness level and want a more challenging, energising practice.

Yin: Slow, Passive, Deeply Restorative

Yin yoga takes the opposite approach entirely — postures are held passively, usually seated or lying down, for several minutes at a time, targeting connective tissue rather than muscle. It’s less about strength and more about stillness, making it a good complement to a more active practice or a strength-training routine, and a solid option on days your body needs rest rather than exertion.

Which One Should You Choose?

There’s no universally “best” style — each does something different:

• Want to learn the fundamentals without feeling rushed? Start with Hatha.
• Want a workout that raises your heart rate and builds strength and stamina? Try Vinyasa.
• Want to improve flexibility and unwind after a stressful day? Yin is worth exploring.

Most experienced practitioners eventually mix styles depending on the day rather than sticking to just one, which is a perfectly reasonable way to start too.

Where Njálla Fits

Whichever style you try first, the right clothing shouldn’t get in the way. Our leggings move with you through a fast Vinyasa flow and stay comfortable through a five-minute Yin hold alike, without digging in or needing constant adjustment.

New to a home practice altogether? Start with our beginner’s guide to home yoga.