With more and more people adopting a healthier lifestyle, it’s not surprising to see new health food stores and gyms popping up in every neighbourhood, especially in urban areas. Yoga in particular is slowly gaining traction in this country as an alternative to intensive and often repetitive gym sessions.

Apart from the basic forms of yoga like Hatha Flow and Vinyasa, there are also specific practices developed for different types of individuals and to address specific issues. Some creative forms include acrobatic yoga and aerial yoga while ancient hot yoga is being made new again with the use of modern technology. There are also yoga classes for specific age groups from toddlers to seniors, as well as classes for the entire family.

So here are some fun and unique types of yoga that you can try out in various yoga studios and gyms around Kuala Lumpur and Selangor:

Aerial Yoga

Aerial yoga is a modern form of yoga using silk fabric in the shape of a hammock or swing. The hammock supports the weight of the body to help the person achieve numerous postures. The effect of using the fabric to practice yoga results in better coordination and concentration, and is great for core balancing and body weight training. There’s also the added bonus of feeling like aerial acrobat which is always fun!

1. Aravind Yoga

Aravind Yoga offers aerial yoga classes called Fly Yoga for all levels. They also have basic classes of Hatha and Yin yoga classes for beginners as well as specialised classes specifically for men, and advance classes of Hatha and Yin yoga.

Rate: RM40 per class, RM320 for 10 classes (valid  3 months). There are also passes for unlimited classes valid for 3, 6, and 12 months.
Address: L-2-2, Plaza Damas Phase II,, No. 60, Jalan Sri Hartamas 1, Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +60 12-366 6608
Website: www.aravindyoga.com

2. Dream Dance Studio

Dream Studio offers pole fitness, aerial hoop, and Fly Yoga. The Fly Yoga classes are available at Subang Jaya, Plaza Ativo in Bandar Seri Damansara and Taman Seputeh. If you’d like to try all three activities at least once before signing up, Dream Dance Studio is offering the chance to join three workshops in a month at a disicounted rate.

Rate: RM60 – RM280
Address: No. 37C, Jalan SS15/4, Selangor, 47500 Subang Jaya, Selangor.
Tel: +6017-3311 688
Website: fb.com/dreamsdancestudio

Hot Yoga (Bikram)

Hot yoga, also known as Bikram Yoga, is practised in a heated room with temperatures ranging from 38 to 40 degrees Celsius and about 40% humidity. The aim is to stimulate and cleanse the body. Some of the benefits of hot yoga include stress reduction, improve flexibility and strength, and detoxification. Generally, hot yoga is recommended for people with some basic yoga experience, but there are plenty of classes available now for absolute beginners as well.

3. Life Hot Yoga

Life Hot Yoga’s offers only hot yoga and is therefore very well equipped. The studio is equipped with a special far-infrared heating system which is therapeutically safe to the human body and doesn’t dry out the skin like conventional heaters. They offer Yin Yang, Vinyasa, Detox Flow other types of hot yoga classes.

Rates: RM80 per class (walk-in) or various monthly passes
Address: Level 3, Unit 3.05-3.07, Glo Damansara Shopping Mall, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +60-3-23811950
Website: lifehotyoga.com.my

4. Hot Yo Studio

Hot Yo Studio is another studio that offers various types of hot yoga, from Yin to Hatha Flow and more. The studio wants to bring the ancient form of yoga to the urbanites of Kuala Lumpur and they’re making it accessible to students of all levels. Hot Yo also uses infrared heating technology in their classes. If you’d like to take a sneak peek, Hot Yo offers one free trial class to anyone who is interested.

Rates: RM50 per class (walk-in) or various monthly passes
Address:  26-2 (Second Floor), Jalan 24/70A, Desa Sri Hartamas, 50480 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603- 6211 3263
Website: hotyostudio.com

Prenatal & Postnatal Yoga

Prenatal yoga is gaining some traction among young mothers as a way to prepare for childbirth and promote their baby’s health. This specific form of yoga is a multifaceted approach that encourages stretching, mental focus, and focused breathing while being gentle enough on the body to be relaxing.

5. Surya Yoga

Surya Yoga offers aerial yoga, hot yoga, hatha flow, prenatal yoga and more. The prenatal yoga courses are designed for expectant mothers past their 13th week of pregnancy. It’s a great way to safely stretch, exercise, prepare for a new baby and bond with other expectant mothers.

Surya Yoga also offers postnatal yoga classes to help mothers regain their strength and stability in the core abdominal, pelvic, and back muscles. It helps relax the mind and body and encourages recuperation after pregnancy.

Rates: Contact to find out.
Address: There are studios in Kota Kemuning, Kuchai Lama, Damansara, Cheras, Sri Petaling, and more. Refer to the website for branch addresses and contact details.
Website: suryayoga.com.my

6. Prana Yoga

Prana Yoga offers both prenatal and postnatal yoga classes among others. The prenatal classes here are set in small, intimate settings with props to facilitate the practice such as bolsters and straps which are used to reduce strain. Postnatal classes, on the other hand, is in the form of a dedicated eight-week program that can be personalised for one-on-one sessions or in groups of four.

Rates: RM50 per class (drop-in) for pre-natal yoga or RM240 for 8 classes
Address: Unit 2.3, 2n Floor, Pusat Kreatif Kanak Kanak Tuanku Bainun, 48 Jalan Tun Mohd Fuad,  Taman Tun Dr Ismail, 60000 Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +6012-9764 866
Website: www.pranayogakl.com

Yoga for Groups and Families

7. Super Yoga Kids – for children

Super Yoga Kids offers yoga classes for kids, teens, parent-toddler pairs and the entire family. Children are guided through tailored yoga poses that are fun and specifically designed to develop balance, strength, and poise as the children grow. Since yoga involves focusing on the mind and much as the body, children also learn to establish a sense of mental and emotional balance.

Rate: Contact for rates
Address: There are branches in Brickfields, Bangsar, Damansara Utama, Selayang Utama, Puchong, and Subang. Check out website for contact details.
Website: www.superyogakids.com

8. Iyengar yoga – for seniors over 60

Iyengar Yoga offers a yoga class specifically for people over 60 years old. It is a gentler class and focuses on helping students maintain physical strength, movement, and flexibility. They also offer yoga for children, remedial yoga, pre-natal yoga, and four levels of Iyengar yoga classes from beginner to advanced.

Rate: RM25 per class (drop-in) for 60+ class.
Address: #41-2, Jalan 109 E, Desa Business Park, Ppp. Desa Medical Centre, Off Old Klang Road Taman Desa 58100, Kuala Lumpur.
Tel: +603 7982 9979
Website: www.iyengaryoga.com.my

9. Oscillation – AcroYoga

Oscillation offers AcroYoga, also known as partner yoga. It’s the perfect type of yoga for building trust and teamwork with your friend or partner. The partner-based practice includes acrobatic type moves and poses that are achievable with a teammate. If you don’t have a partner to join you in the class, don’t worry, Oscillation will help you find an AcroYoga partner in class. It can be quite a fun activity, especially for people who prefer exercising and training with a buddy.

Rates: Contact to find out rates
Address: NZX Commercial Centre, Blk D, No.2, Jalan PJU 1A/41 B, Ara Jaya, 47301 Petaling Jaya (Above Happy Lucky Restaurant)  | Jalan Doraisamy, Chow Kit, 50300 Kuala Lumpur, Wilayah Persekutuan Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +603-27137 840
Website: www.oscillationyoga.com