The fastest way to narrow it down: decide whether you want to move continuously or hold still. Vinyasa, ashtanga and power yoga move; hatha and iyengar hold with effort; yin and restorative hold without effort. Almost every other distinction is detail on top of that one.
The styles, plainly
Hatha. Usually means a general class at a moderate pace, holding shapes for several breaths with pauses between them. In practice it is the default term for "not a flow class". A reasonable starting point for most beginners, and the closest of the common Western labels to how a great deal of yoga is taught in India.
Vinyasa (or flow). Shapes linked continuously, one movement per breath, sequences built fresh by the teacher. The most common style in UK studios. Physically demanding, aerobic in feel, and not ideal as a first experience because it moves faster than a beginner can be corrected.
Ashtanga. A fixed sequence, the same every time, practised at pace. Demanding and repetitive by design — the repetition is the method, since you can see your own progress against a constant. Not gentle.
Power yoga. A fitness-oriented derivative of ashtanga. Strength and sweat foregrounded, the tradition mostly not.
Iyengar. Precision, alignment and props — blocks, straps, belts, chairs, ropes. Shapes held for a long time with a great deal of attention to detail. Excellent if you want to understand exactly what you are doing, and often recommended around injuries because of the precision and the prop use.
Yin. Long holds — three to five minutes — in mostly seated and lying shapes, aimed at connective tissue rather than muscle. Passive, slow, and much harder than it sounds, mainly because of the stillness.
Restorative. Fully supported shapes held for long periods with bolsters and blankets. The point is to do nothing at all. Genuinely rest, not a light workout.
Kundalini. Repetitive movement, breathing practices and chanting, with a more overtly spiritual framing than most of the above. Distinct enough that people tend to know quickly whether it is for them.
Choosing
If you sit at a desk all day and feel stiff: hatha or iyengar to start, yin added later.
If you already train hard and want mobility: hatha or iyengar, and resist the pull towards vinyasa, which will feel more like your existing training and do less of what you are missing.
If you want fitness from the class itself: vinyasa or power.
If you are stressed and sleeping badly: restorative or yin, plus breathing practice.
If you are working around an injury: iyengar, or one-to-one, and tell them what the injury is before you book.
If you have no idea: hatha. It is the sensible default and the one that most rewards a first session with someone watching you.
What the labels do not tell you
Two things matter more than the style name and are not in it.
The teacher. Variation between two teachers of the same style is usually larger than variation between styles. A good hatha teacher and a poor one are further apart than hatha and vinyasa.
The pace of correction. A style that moves quickly cannot correct you often, whatever the teacher's skill. This is the single strongest argument for beginning one to one and then choosing a style once you know what your body actually does — you will pick differently, and better, after two sessions than you would from a list like this one.
Questions people ask
What is the difference between hatha and vinyasa?
Hatha generally means a moderately paced class where shapes are held for several breaths with pauses between them. Vinyasa links shapes continuously, roughly one movement per breath, in sequences the teacher builds each time. Vinyasa is faster and more aerobic; hatha allows more time to correct a position.
Which yoga style is best for beginners?
Hatha for most people, or iyengar if you want precision and prop-based work. Both move slowly enough to be corrected. Vinyasa and ashtanga are demanding and move faster than a beginner can usefully be adjusted.
What is yin yoga?
Long holds of three to five minutes in mostly seated and lying shapes, aimed at connective tissue rather than muscle, with the body relaxed rather than working. Slow and passive, and harder than it sounds because of the stillness rather than the effort.
Does the style matter more than the teacher?
No. Differences between two teachers of the same style are usually larger than differences between styles. Pick a teacher you can learn from, and let the style follow.
A senior yoga teacher at IndieVeda, teaching one-to-one sessions live from India.