Fifteen styles of yoga.

Origin: Ancient Indian tradition, codified in the Hatha Yoga Pradipika (15th century)

Philosophy. The foundation of all physical yoga. The Sanskrit word combines ha (sun) and tha (moon), representing the balancing of opposites.

Feel. Methodical, gentle, focused on alignment and breath. Postures are held longer than in flowing styles. The teacher often gives detailed cueing.

Best for. Beginners, anyone returning after a break, members who prefer slower technical work to fast flow.

At R1SE: Hatha-style classes feature across the R1SE timetable; the Flow, Flex and Chill sessions all share Hatha foundations.

Origin: Developed by Krishnamacharya and his student Pattabhi Jois in the 20th century, from older Hatha foundations

Philosophy. Vinyasa means 'to place in a special way'. Every movement is paired with an inhale or exhale, creating a moving meditation.

Feel. Flowing, creative, cardiovascular. Each teacher sequences their own classes within the Vinyasa framework, so no two are the same.

Best for. Members who want movement and a sweat with their yoga; anyone with some yoga experience or solid fitness baseline.

At R1SE: Vinyasa is the backbone of the R1SE timetable. Hot Vinyasa runs daily across Brook Place and Kelham at 35°C.

Origin: K. Pattabhi Jois, Mysore, India, 20th century

Philosophy. A rigorous system following six fixed series of postures, traditionally practised six days a week.

Feel. Demanding, athletic, repetitive in the best sense. The Primary Series alone takes 90 minutes once you know it.

Best for. Members who thrive with discipline and progression; experienced yogis wanting to deepen the practice.

At R1SE: Elements of Ashtanga inform our Power and Vinyasa classes; we don't currently teach the formal Ashtanga sequence.

Origin: BKS Iyengar, India, mid-20th century

Philosophy. Alignment-led yoga using props (blocks, belts, bolsters) to make every posture accessible and therapeutically precise.

Feel. Detailed, technical, often deeply healing. Teachers give extensive cueing and modifications.

Best for. Members with injuries or chronic pain; anyone wanting to deepen their understanding of alignment; first-time yogis with health considerations.

At R1SE: Iyengar's alignment principles inform R1SE teaching across every style, particularly Foundation cueing and the Chill format.

Origin: Paulie Zink and Paul Grilley, late 20th century, drawing on Taoist tradition

Philosophy. Targets the deep connective tissue (fascia, ligaments, joint capsules) rather than the muscles. Postures are held passively at the edge of stretch.

Feel. Stillness-focused, meditative, occasionally intense at the edge of long holds.

Best for. Members who want depth rather than intensity; the complement to a hard training week; anyone working on mobility and connective-tissue health.

At R1SE: Yin elements feature across Hot Chill and Bliss; deep Yin workshops run periodically.

Origin: BKS Iyengar's later therapeutic teaching, refined by Judith Lasater

Philosophy. Healing through deep, passive support. Every posture is propped so the body can fully release.

Feel. Deeply nourishing, parasympathetic, often emotional.

Best for. Members in burnout, post-illness recovery, late pregnancy, or simply needing a complete nervous-system reset.

At R1SE: Bliss and Hot Bliss sessions are R1SE's most restorative formats. Often combined with sound healing.

Origin: Modern UK/US wave, 2000s onwards. Distinct from Bikram specifically.

Philosophy. Heated yoga across every traditional style. R1SE's 35°C rooms (deliberately lower than Bikram's 40°C) are calibrated for sustainability and cardiovascular safety.

Feel. Sweat-led, mobility-enhanced, deeply detoxifying. The heat amplifies whatever style is being taught underneath.

Best for. Most members. Hot yoga's combination of heat, breath and movement is the cleanest entry point into a sustainable yoga practice.

At R1SE: The R1SE flagship offering. Hot Vinyasa, Hot Flex, Hot Flow, Hot Power, Hot Sculpt, Hot Pilates, Hot Chill and Hot Bliss all run weekly.

Origin: Bikram Choudhury, Los Angeles, 1974

Philosophy. 26 postures and two breathing exercises performed in 40°C with 40% humidity, in a fixed 90-minute sequence.

Feel. Hot, repetitive, demanding. The same class is taught the same way in every certified studio.

Best for. Members who like predictability and structure; traditionalists.

At R1SE: Not taught at R1SE. Our hot yoga deliberately works at a lower temperature with a wider stylistic range.

Origin: Yogi Bhajan, USA, 1969 (drawing on older Tantric traditions)

Philosophy. Aimed at awakening dormant energy at the base of the spine. Combines movement, breath, mantra, mudra and meditation.

Feel. Energising, emotional, sometimes startling. Often features long held postures with specific breath patterns.

Best for. Members open to a more spiritual, energetic practice; anyone interested in the integration of mantra and breath.

At R1SE: We don't currently teach formal Kundalini; elements feature in some breathwork sessions.

Origin: Bryan Kest and Beryl Bender Birch, USA, 1990s, as an Americanised Ashtanga

Philosophy. Yoga as athletic conditioning, with less ceremony than traditional lineages.

Feel. Fitness-focused, sweaty, strength-building.

Best for. Members coming from a fitness background; anyone who wants yoga to be primarily a workout.

At R1SE: Hot Power runs regularly; one of our most cardiovascular formats.

Origin: John Friend, USA, 1997

Philosophy. Tantric heart-opening philosophy combined with detailed alignment principles.

Feel. Uplifting, technical, often emotionally expressive.

Best for. Members drawn to a more expressive, less austere style; those wanting both flow and alignment depth.

At R1SE: Influences our Vinyasa cueing language.

Origin: Sharon Gannon and David Life, New York, 1984

Philosophy. Vinyasa with a strong spiritual, ethical and activist framework. Includes chanting, scripture, meditation.

Feel. Athletic flow combined with deep philosophical context.

Best for. Members wanting the physical practice grounded in ethics and devotion; long-term yoga students.

At R1SE: Not directly taught; ethical framing informs our R1SE Academy teacher training.

Origin: Swami Sivananda, India, mid-20th century

Philosophy. A classical 12-posture sequence with breathwork, deep relaxation, mantra and meditation.

Feel. Devotional, traditional, deeply grounding.

Best for. Members wanting the most classical version of the tradition; anyone interested in yoga as a complete life system.

At R1SE: Influences our Bliss and Yin sessions.

Origin: Christopher Harrison, USA, early 2000s

Philosophy. Yoga performed partially or fully suspended in fabric, allowing spinal decompression, inversions without neck load, and a different relationship to gravity.

Feel. Playful, novel, surprisingly therapeutic. Spinal decompression is the standout benefit.

Best for. Members open to trying something different; anyone wanting safer access to inversions; those with neck or back issues that prevent traditional inversions.

At R1SE: Aerial yoga runs at R1SE Brook Place; Beginners Course required for new members.

Origin: USA, 2003

Philosophy. A blend of yoga, acrobatics and Thai massage practised in pairs or small groups.

Feel. Playful, trust-based, often outdoors. Builds strength, balance, and social connection.

Best for. Adventurous members; anyone who wants yoga as a partner practice.

At R1SE: Not currently part of our regular timetable; occasional workshops.