Yoga has become one of the most popular activities in the UK, with an impressive number of people taking part in an ever-widening range of classes. With so many types of yoga available, from traditional to contemporary, it can be difficult to keep up to date with the latest trends and the new classes available. My guest writer is Anne Bridges, who is a keen yogi, takes a look at the types of yoga to look out for in 2015.

Satyananda Yoga

Satyananda yoga is a modern type of yoga, which has risen in popularity in recent years. It was created by Swami Satyanand Saraswati and combines many other types of yoga, including Jnana, Bhakti, Hatha and Tantra.

It’s a traditional form of yoga and can be tailored to accommodate for all levels of ability.

It’s also an introspective form of yoga, which encourages participants to hold the poses with their eyes closed. This helps with meditation, and ensures there are no distractions external to the body, helping to clear the mind and focus.

Jivamukti Yoga

This is a relatively new form of yoga, developed by David Life and Sharon Gannon in the 1980s. It’s a physically demanding yoga, similar to Hatha and Vinyasa varieties, but also has spiritual roots, linked back to the more traditional forms of yoga.

It teaches five key areas: Scripture (shastra), music (nada), devotion (bhakti), a compassionate lifestyle (ahimsa) and meditation (dhyana).

It has risen in popularity over recent years, with this trend set to continue into 2015. If you’re looking for a type of yoga that will give you an excellent workout, while also helping you along the path to enlightenment, Jivamukti Yoga could be just the type you’re looking for.

Laughter Yoga

Traditionally, yoga is associated with a calm, tranquil and relaxing environment. Even the more vigorous types of yoga pay attention to important concepts surrounding breath and meditation, so this yoga trend may come as a surprise to some people.

Laughter yoga focuses on fun and enjoyment, encouraging laughter and playful behaviour within the sessions. While this may seem counterintuitive, it has been linked with some impressive health benefits.

It can help to alleviate the symptoms of depression, allergies and asthma, and has also been found to relax the muscles.

It’s less spiritual than many of the traditional types of yoga, which has made it popular with people who want to participate in a yoga class within a light-hearted and invigorating environment.

Antigravity Yoga

Antigravity yoga is another new type of yoga, which was developed by the aerial performer Christopher Harrison. The classes make use of silk hammocks, in which participants complete a series of poses while elevated from the ground.

In addition to traditional yoga sequences, Antigravity Yoga also uses techniques from Pilates and acrobatics to provide a challenging workout for the whole body. This exciting type of yoga recently made its way to the UK and U predict it is set to rise in popularity throughout 2015.