Anusara. Bikram. Moksha. Yin. Even the most experienced yogi can have difficulty deciphering all the different types and schools of yoga that exist today.

One of the great things about yoga is that it has something for everyone. You don't have to miss out on yoga's myriad physical benefits if you are not interested in its spiritual aspects. But if you want your hatha yoga class to be part of a larger spiritual practice that shapes your personal philosophy and values, you have that option as well.

I have a friend who resisted yoga for years because she said she already spent too much time in her head, and her experience with yoga had always been with gentle, meditative classes. But then she discovered Bikram yoga, and now she's one of the most enthusiastic yogis I know. If you're curious about some of the other paths yoga has to offer or feeling ready to take your practice to another level, consider trying out a new style.

If you're interested in …

• An intense physical workout: Try Bikram or another "hot" yoga class. The heat – around 105 degrees F – is said to help cleanse the body by creating a purifying sweat. Classes are 90 minutes and follow a set series of 26 postures. Be sure to drink plenty of water before and after class, and don't eat any heavy foods that day.
• A practice to satisfy your inner perfectionist: Try Iyengar yoga, which first pioneered the use of props to make poses safer and more accessible for students of all skills levels. Iyengar yoga is characterized by precision of movement; poses are often held for long periods so that students can learn the subtleties of each posture. In true Iyengar classes, students are taught only a limited number of postures, which must be mastered before moving on to more advanced poses.
• A means of self expression: Try an Anusara class. Anusara yoga, though derived from Iyengar, is less concerned with the subtleties of each posture than with creative freedom, individuality, and self examination.
• Yoga as a way of life: Try Jivamukti, if you live near one of the centers or a certified teacher. Jivamukti yoga emphasizes spiritual study, devotion to God, and nonviolence. Every class focuses on a different theme or element of yoga philosophy, which is explored through discussion, readings, prayers, and spiritual music. A vegetarian diet is encouraged.
• A return to yoga's roots: Ashtanga yoga combines a demanding vinyasa practice with an emphasis on yoga's spiritual philosophy. Ashtanga literally means "eight-limbed yoga," which refers to the eight core components of yoga as outlined by the sage Patanjali in The Yoga Sutras. Ashtanga classes incorporate breath work, chanting, and the use of bandhas – or muscular locks – to channel the flow of energy throughout the body.
• A socially and environmentally responsible yoga practice: Moksha yoga, which also makes use of a heated room, holds its studios to strict environmental standards and offsets its carbon footprint by donating to environmental causes. Moksha studios also offer low-cost classes and donate their time to their communities in order to make yoga more accessible to everyone.
• A fusion of Indian and Asian influences: Yin yoga is a gentle practice that uses the Taoist concept of yin and yang to balance the energy channels in the body. Though poses used in Yin yoga may resemble traditional hatha yoga poses, the emphasis is on stretching and strengthening connective tissues in the joints rather than the muscles.