Not Every Prospective Student is able to Practice Every Yoga Style

The need for different styles goes beyond satisfying personal preferences. In many instances, practitioners should not or cannot practice certain types of yoga. For example, a pregnant woman should avoid unnaturally high temperatures, including saunas and jacuzzis. The hot, humid environment of a Bikram yoga class, therefore, should be out of the question for pregnant students, particularly those in their first trimester. (Many women swear by Bikram yoga throughout pregnancy. As a prenatal yoga teacher and natural childbirth educator, it is my professional opinion that Bikram yoga in pregnancy confers some of the same benefits as other yoga styles, but no additional ones. It also presents greater risks for mother and baby than do normal-temperature classes.)

A student with osteoarthritis risks doing further damage to her joints in an Ashtanga class if she jumps into poses. A practitioner with a heart condition is usually instructed to exercise lightly and to avoid vigorous activity. For these students and others who are at a lower level of physical fitness, a gentle yoga style is necessary.