Yoga in Gothenburg and West Sweden

Harmony for body and soul  

Practising yoga is a good way of connecting with yourself through breathing techniques, meditation and gentle movement. Here are some tips for great yoga experiences, and you can also read about the most common forms of yoga as well as find idyllic yoga retreats. 

8 fun yoga experiences in West Sweden & Gothenburg

You’ll find yoga studios all across our region, so here we’ve gathered some more unusual yoga experiences you might not have heard of before.

Please note: some of these yoga experiences are seasonal. Check the individual business’s website for up-to-date information before you visit.

Read more about the different forms of yoga 

For many people the world of yoga can seem a bit like a jungle, which isn’t so surprising given how many different ways it’s practised around the world. You can learn a bit more about the most common forms of yoga here.

Hatha yoga

Hatha yoga is one of the most popular forms of yoga here in the western hemisphere. Hatha means powerful and its aim is to support our health, strength and stamina. The focus is mostly on the body but breathing and energy exercises are also practised. 

Under the Hatha yoga umbrella different yoga specialisations have been developed, some of which are athletic, others more restful or therapeutic. Some examples are Iyengar, Ashtanga, Vinyasa, PowerYoga and Anusara.

Iyengar yoga

Iyengar yoga is a form of yoga where the poses are static, and held for a longer time to improve strength and awareness. Iyengar yoga practitioners often use props like blocks and belts.  

Iyengar yoga is a gentle form of yoga which is ideal when used for therapeutic purposes. It was developed by B.K.S Iyengar who has been called "the architect of the body".

Ashtanga yoga

Ashtanga yoga is a strict form of yoga which is physically demanding. It consists of a series of poses and dynamic flowing movements which are done in the same order every time. When you practice ashtanga yoga you aim for optimal breathing where every movement is synchronished with a breath or a breathing pattern. 

Vinyasa yoga

Vinyasa yoga is derived from ashtanga yoga. The dynamic side and the breathing are the same but the big difference is that the sequences vary from time to time. Traditionally vinyasa yoga starts with a number of warm up salutes to the sun before the sequence of poses and movements begins. 

Power yoga

Power yoga is a sweaty form of yoga where your body gets a real workout. The movements and poses are similar to ashtanga yoga but the yoga teacher’s methods are much freer and more easy going. The focus is on training strength, stamina and flexibility. 
Power yoga started in the USA in the 1980s and quickly became a popular training method. 

Anusara yoga

Anusara yoga is a wide ranging form of yoga that works for most people whatever their age or previous experience. It’s a modern school of Hatha yoga that’s a lot like Iyengar yoga. The main difference is that Anusara yoga has a stronger flow in the sequences. Anusara yoga can be summarised by the three A’s – Attitude, Alignment and Action.

Kundalini yoga

Kundalini yoga is a spiritual form of yoga and distinguishes itself from the other yoga forms in that way. The focus is on achieving complete mental control by awakening the kundalini energy and getting it to spread through your body. This is done by repeating mantras and doing a sequence of predetermined poses in combination with breathing techniques. 

MediYoga is a gentle and slow form of kundalini yoga which research has shown to have a positive effect on rehabilitation. 

Yin yoga and restorative yoga

Yin yoga and restorative yoga are gentle forms of yoga with calm and soothing poses which help you to relax deeply. Many poses can be recognised from other styles of yoga but the difference is that they are supported with pillows, blankets, bolsters, blocks and belts which make it easier for you to really let go.  
This kind of recuperative yoga is perfect for people who feel stressed, burnt out or are recovering from an injury. 

Bikram yoga / Hot yoga

Bikram yoga, or hot yoga as it’s also called, is a branch of hatha yoga. It consists of a series of 26 poses and two breathing exercises and is practiced in a room which has been heated to 40 degrees, with a humidity level of around 40%. The aim of the heat is to enable you to get deeper into the poses and stretch better. 

Gong baths

During a gong bath you lie on a yoga mat and immerse yourself in the sound of the gong. In other words it’s not like a normal bath, in water, you bathe instead in the tones of the gong flowing through your body. 

Our bodies consist mostly of water and the many harmonics that are created set off vibrations inside you that bring about deep relaxation. Think how your body is affected when you go to a concert. You absorb the gong’s vibrations, which reach all the cells of your body, stimulatating well being, in the same way. 
 
Source: GlobalYoga Teacher Training parts 1&2

More about wellness and health in West Sweden