| Category | Benefits | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Standing Poses | Build strength, stability & confidence | Mountain, Warrior I & II, Triangle |
| Seated Poses | Improve flexibility & calm the mind | Forward Bend, Staff Pose, Lotus |
| Balancing Poses | Sharpen focus & coordination | Tree, Eagle, Dancer |
| Backbends | Open the chest, energise the spine | Cobra, Camel, Wheel |
| Forward Bends | Release tension, promote introspection | Childās Pose, Seated Fold |
| Twists | Detoxify organs, improve mobility | Half Lord of the Fishes, Revolved Triangle |
| Inversions | Boost circulation, shift perspective | Shoulder Stand, Legs-Up-the-Wall |
| Restorative Poses | Deep healing, total surrender | Corpse Pose (Savasana), Supported Bridge |
| Category | Purpose | Key Exercises (Examples) |
|---|---|---|
| Warm-Up & Breath | Activate core, align spine, oxygenate | The Hundred, Spine Stretch Forward |
| Core & Powerhouse | Build deep abdominal strength | Roll Up, Teaser, Double Leg Stretch |
| Spinal Mobility | Improve flexibility & posture | Roll Over, Spine Twist, Swan Dive |
| Leg & Glute Strength | Tone the lower body, improve stability | Single Leg Circles, Side Kick Series, Shoulder Bridge |
| Forward Bends | Release tension, promote introspection | Childās Pose, Seated Fold |
| Back Extension | Strengthen posterior chain, open chest | Swimming, Rocking, Swan |
| Full-Body Integration | Combine strength, control & flow | Criss-Cross, Leg Pull Front, Control Balance |
| Yoga Style | What It Is | Primary Weight Loss Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Vinyasa Flow | A dynamic, athletic style where movement is synchronised with the breath, creating a continuous, vigorous sequence. | High Calorie Burn & Endurance. Keeps the heart rate consistently elevated, similar to light cardio. |
| Power Yoga | A fitness-based approach to Vinyasa, often adding strength-building drills and core work. | Muscle Building & Metabolism. Focuses on holding challenging strength poses, building metabolically active lean muscle. |
| Ashtanga Yoga | A specific, fixed sequence of poses performed in the same order every time, generating internal heat. | Discipline & Deep Core Work. The rigorous structure and pace ensure consistency and deep muscle engagement. |
| Posture Category | Example Poses | Primary Core Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Belly-Down Backbends | Locust Pose (Salabhasana), Cobra Pose (Bhujangasana) | Spinal Erectors & Back Core. Strengthens the entire posterior chain, crucial for postural support. |
| Balance & Stabilization | Tree Pose (Vrikshasana), Eagle Pose (Garudasana) | Obliques & Deep Stabilisers. Requires deep core engagement to maintain balance and prevent tipping. |
| Abdominal Power | Boat Pose (Navasana), Plank Variations, Dolphin Pose | Rectus & Transverse Abdominis. Directly recruits the front abdominal wall for isometric holds. |
| Category | Stretch Target | Strength Target | Signature Poses |
|---|---|---|---|
| Forward Folds | Hamstrings, spine | Core, hip stabilisers | Seated Fold, Wide-Legged Fold, Pyramid |
| Hip Openers | Hips, glutes, inner thighs | Glutes, pelvic floor | Pigeon, Frog, Lizard, Fire Log |
| Backbends | Chest, shoulders, quads | Back, glutes, core | Cobra, Upward Dog, Camel, Wheel |
| Twists | Spine, obliques | Rotational core, lats | Thread-the-Needle, Revolved Triangle, Half Lord |
| Arm Balances | Wrists, shoulders | Core, triceps, serratus | Crow, Side Crow, Eight-Angle Prep |
| Standing Balances | Ankles, calves | Quads, glutes, focus | Warrior III, Dancer, Eagle, Tree |
| Yin + Active Holds | Deep fascia, joints | Isometric endurance | Dragon, Sphinx, Supported Bridge |
| Functional Benefit | How Yoga Delivers It | The Impact on Your Wellbeing |
|---|---|---|
| Increased Agility | Improves coordination and range of motion, allowing for quick, safe shifts in position. | Reduced Injury Risk in sports, hobbies, and accidental slips. |
| Joint Health | Strengthens the small, stabilising muscles around major joints (knees, shoulders, hips). | Less Pain from arthritis and degenerative conditions; greater joint support. |
| Effortless Posture | The back and core are strong enough to hold the spine upright without strain. | Look and Feel Confident all day long without slouching or fatigue. |