There are so many different types of yoga out there, whether you want a more physically demanding class or an easy, relaxing, meditative class. Yoga improves flexibility and increases core strength while reducing stress levels. Yoga is sometimes a blend of pilate and tai chi. It also protects us from conditions like arthritis and back pain, and help prevent falls in elderly people.

Each time you practice yoga, you take your joints through their full range of motion. This can help prevent degenerative arthritis or mitigate disability by “squeezing and soaking” areas of cartilage that normally aren’t used.

Spinal disks—the shock absorbers between the vertebrae that can herniate and compress nerves—crave movement. That’s the only way they get their nutrients. If you’ve got a well-balanced asana practice with plenty of bends and twists, you’ll help keep your disks supple.

Yoga gets your blood flowing. More specifically, the relaxation exercises you learn in yoga can help your circulation, especially in your hands and feet. Yoga also gets more oxygen to your cells, which function better as a result. Twisting poses are thought to wring out venous blood from internal organs and allow oxygenated blood to flow in once the twist is released.

Yoga lowers blood sugar and LDL (“bad”) cholesterol and boosts HDL (“good”) cholesterol. In people with diabetes, yoga has been found to lower blood sugar in several ways: by lowering cortisol and adrenaline levels, encouraging weight loss, and improving sensitivity to the effects of insulin

Here is an interesting insight into different kinds of Yoga you can do to keep you relaxed during these difficult times.

This is a slow-paced style of yoga with seated postures that are held for longer periods of time. Yin can also be a meditative yoga practice that helps you find inner peace. Yin is a great class for beginners, as postures can be held for from 45 seconds to 2 minutes. The movements are relaxed, as you’re supposed to let gravity do most of the work.

Restorative yoga focuses on winding down after a long day and relaxing your mind. At its core, this style focuses on body relaxation. Restorative yoga also helps to cleanse and free your mind. You spend more time in fewer postures throughout.  Many of the poses are modified to be easier and more relaxing. Props such as blankets, bolsters, and eye pillows are also used to help you sink deeper into relaxation.

This is carefully adapted for “moms to be” and is tailored to women in all trimesters. Many have said that prenatal is one of the best types of exercise for expectant moms because of the pelvic floor work, focus on breathing, and bonding with the growing baby; prenatal yoga also helps mothers prepare for labor and delivery. During this practice, you use props in order to modify your poses and ensure stability.