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Yoga for Beginners: Take This Quiz to Find Your Style
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Finding the right yoga can be tricky. This quiz swaps trial and error for a more “scientific” approach to matching beginners with the right type of yoga.
Discovering your perfect yoga match
There are many types of yoga for beginners. To discover your yoga match let’s first explore the type of person you are. Each year two million people take a personality test called the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). We thought it would be great if there was a version of the Myers-Briggs test that harmonized your personality style with your perfect yoga match. So we made one for you.
As you take the quiz, be sure to keep track of the number of times you chose either A,B,C,or D, as an answer.
Yoga For Beginners: The Quiz
1. What is your approach to planning a vacation?
A – I like to make sure I know exactly where I’m staying and have a daily itinerary mapped out.
B – I plan logistics like hotel and transportation well beforehand. Then I begin daydreaming about the vision of my trip.
C – Before I go, I research and take notes. I want to know the best restaurants, beaches, trails, and hotels, and bring a list with me. Otherwise, I don’t mind spontaneity.
D – I pack a bag and go. I prefer to leave my options open and keeps things exciting.
2. My favorite kind of menu experience looks like…
A – An intricate five-course menu chosen and planned by the chef.
B – A well-considered menu in a single genre that I’m craving. Pictures are helpful.
C – An interesting, new dining experience with clear descriptions of what’s in each dish.
D – A build-your-own situation with lots of delicious options.
3. How do you select music when you exercise?
A – The same playlist in the same order, every time. It helps me keep track of my pacing.
B – I create playlists with general themes, and I choose one based on the vibe I want.
C – All of my favorite songs, on shuffle.
D – I like the freedom to keep it fluid and switch it up in the middle of a walk.
4. You’re writing a memoir. Where do you begin?
A – By creating an organized outline of significant memories, and getting the facts right.
B – By reading a book on memoir writing, then I’d consider the themes of my life, and maybe create a vision board.
C – By surrounding myself with important objects and symbols from my life. Then I would journal, paying attention to the little moments of significance.
D – I would consider the patterns throughout my life, and where they meet, created the quilt of where I am today.
5. What is your favorite post-workout feeling?
A – Accomplished and successful.
B – Balanced and appreciative.
C – Inspired and uplifted.
D – Blissed out and nourished.
6. When it comes to self-care…
A – I wake up at the same time every day. Without my routine, my day feels off.
B – I am all about intention setting, and I love a good self-help book.
C – I care a lot about my space. I like to light a candle, put essential oils in the bath. The small things fill me up.
D – I go with the flow. Any kind of routine feels like the opposite of self-care.
7. The first time I baked a souffle, my process was…
A – I had the recipe open on the counter. I measured everything precisely before beginning.
B – I found the recipe with the nicest picture. I love inspirational foodie blogs.
C – I bought all the highest quality ingredients. I missed a few steps in the recipe but I made it work.
D – I watched a cooking show, used the ingredients that I had on hand, and went for it. It didn’t turn out perfectly, but it satisfied my craving for something sweet!
8. Choose the sentence that describes you best.
A – I am conscientious, responsible, and organized.
B – I am insightful, attuned, and see the big picture.
C – I am flexible, sensitive, and notice small details.
D – I am an adaptable idealist and see possibilities.
What’s my perfect yoga match?
Mostly A’s
You’re organized and detailed, You crave order and thrive in environments that are conscientious, traditional, and systematic. Types of yoga that are systematic, alignment-focused, and traditional may work in harmony with your personality.
For a lower to medium intensity yoga for beginners, try: Iyengar
Iyengar yoga is systematic, traditional, and precise. Iyengar classes focus on alignment between all levels of a person: physical, intellectual, and spiritual. Props are used generously to support every kind of body and its abilities. In a traditional Iyengar class, you will not find any music, but your body will be well-aligned and challenged through precision.
For a higher intensity class, try: Ashtanga
Ashtanga yoga for beginners follows a systematic sequence that’s the same each class. Ashtanga yoga is a more advanced traditional vinyasa style class. And it’s guaranteed to make you sweat. You’ll be introduced to sanskrit names of poses and feel challenged on many levels.
Mostly B’s
You seek meaning and deeper understanding. You easily pick up on patterns and themes. You may prefer long-term planning and goal-setting over logistical details. Types of yoga in harmony for your personality are infused with philosophy and give you a structured container that supports a bigger life vision.
For a lower to medium intensity class, try: Hatha
Hatha classes can vary, but adhere to traditional postures and yogic philosophy. This makes hatha a great yoga for beginners. Hatha classes are accessible to almost all body types and strength and energy levels. Hatha is a sanskrit word, linking ‘sun’ and ‘moon’– a great metaphor for the goal of balancing steady and easeful energy in the body. Though the postures might change from class to class, the emphasis on maintaining balance is constant.
For a medium to high intensity class, try: Kundalini
Kundalini is a unique style that is quite different from your run-of-the-mill yoga for beginners class. In a Kundalini class, you will hold interesting postures for longer periods of time, do breathwork, and chant. In terms of intensity, these classes can be quite challenging mentally and often physically, but you will likely leave with a feeling of inner vibrancy and gratitude.
Mostly C’s
You may be quite flexible and adaptable. You could also be sensitive and pick up on nuances and small details with ease. You may enjoy meeting new people, exploring new environments, and trying new things. Types of yoga that are philosophically interesting, detailed in alignment, but that vary in structure from class to class may work well with your curious yet adaptable personality.
For a lower to medium intensity class, try: Yin
Yin yoga for beginners is based in Chinese Taoist philosophy and seeks to balance the yang, or more active, qualities of life with yin, or more receptive, energy. With a detailed and intricate philosophical foundation, yin cares for the body’s joints, fascia, and sore muscles with longer holds, focused breath, and stillness. Yin is quiet, slow, but not lacking in intensity, especially if you tend to be busy. The qualities make yin a great yoga for beginners option.
For a medium to higher intensity class, try: Anusara
Anusara yoga is rooted in spiritual oneness and intrinsic goodness. Class themes are woven throughout alignment-specific postures. In an anusara class, your body is the expression of spiritual principles. Anusara classes are strong, filled with many heart openers, as well as inspiring messages that will leave you satisfied and glowing.
Mostly D’s
You are deep, imaginative, and spontaneous. You thrive in new and exciting environments where you can adapt quickly and stimulate your enthusiastic self. Types of yoga that are innovative, spacious, and that offer many options will support your craving to keep things fresh and open.
For a low-intensity class, try: Restorative
Restorative yoga is all about relaxation. In a restorative class, postures are low to the ground, held for up to ten minutes, and generously supported by props to promote total rejuvenation of the body, mind, and spirit. Restorative classes target restoration of the nervous system, which will leave you feeling calm, rested, and ready to go with the flow of your life.
For a medium to higher intensity class, try: Vinyasa
Vinyasa classes vary tremendously but share a commonality: linking breath with movement to support a moving meditation. Vinyasa classes can be fun, exciting, challenging, and can even feel like a flowy, choreographed dance set to a fun soundtrack. In a typical vinyasa class, there are many options to support your level or interest on any given day. You will leave having had a good workout and recharged with vitality.
Yoga for Beginners: The Outlook
There are numerous yoga styles for beginners that fit pretty much any personality. If you’re new to yoga or looking to pick it up again after a break, knowing your personality type can be the key to finding the right type of yoga for you.
