Yoga has been around for thousands of years, and it’s comforting to know that the heart and soul of yoga will always remain because there will always be plenty of purists out there. On the flip side though, yoga is also subject to trends that come and go… and there are some wild ones out there! (If you haven’t heard of goat yoga, do a quick search online, you won’t be disappointed!)
Here are the Top 5 Yoga Trends in Vancouver in 2018
1. Acro Yoga
Acro is short for acrobratic and this style of yoga has really taken off lately. It requires a pair of people, and instead of the traditional solo style series of postures, Acro Yoga asks two people (who really trust each other) to do a deliberate set of poses that rely on each other for lift and balance.
The result is a gravity defying, exciting and super fun practice. Make sure that your instructor has lots of experience and that there is a focus on safety and trust.
2. Yoga Retreats
More and more people are taking their health and well-being into their own hands and the result is often taking an extended break (7-10 days) to go somewhere quiet and serene, unplug, eat well and deepen the practice.
Yoga retreats are found all over the world, and British Columbia has some exceptional locations from the interior to the island. Some people travel far and wide to Mexico, Thailand, Spain, Central America… the list is endless. Yoga retreats range from the very fancy and expensive to the rustic and humble. Whatever you’re looking for in a yoga retreat, we guarantee there’s an option out there.
3. Restorative Yoga
It’s funny that this “style” is coming back into popularity, since yoga should always give the practitioner a chance to restore and rebalance their mind, body and soul. For a while, there was a huge push toward Power yoga and super sweaty practices. And while those are still popular and have an important place in western yoga, it’s nice to see that restorative yoga is gaining some traction, too.
Yin yoga and restorative yoga really slow things down and let the yogi enter into deep postures, often aided by the help of props like bolsters, straps and bricks. It allows the mind to calm down and the body to fully relax.
4. Yoga for Everyone
We love seeing yoga affect people’s lives no matter their situation or how they identify — it’s really a beautiful side of the practice and it shows why yoga has endured for so long. It really is meant to be available to anyone.
These days, there are classes for seniors, athletes and addicts. There are men only classes, classes for pregnant women and new moms and dads. A person can find classes that focus on mental health or unlocking creativity or pretty much anything! It’s heartwarming to see this trend toward inclusivity in yoga and to see so many people benefiting from what the practice has to offer.
5. Yoga Teacher Training
Becoming a yoga teacher is a viable and realistic career path for more and more people. As yoga continues to grow and reach people, there are ever more opportunities to build a business or a career as a yoga teacher.
Some people take yoga teacher training in order to deepen their practice and gain a better understanding of anatomy or pranayama (breathing practices). Others have a dream of teaching yoga retreats or joining the staff at a studio. There are so many ways that people take Yoga Teacher Training and integrate it into their lives.
If you are curious about any of the trends mentioned or are thinking about embarking on the next step of your yoga journey, we’d love to be a part of it. Our Yoga Teacher Training is second to none and will prepare you for an exciting life ahead.