Vinyasa, hatha or yin: which fits your week?

By yum · Updated 9 November 2026

The short version: Vinyasa is yoga in flow, where you move with your breath and warm up. Hatha is calmer, and you stay in each pose a little longer. Yin is the quiet end: you sit or lie down and hold poses for several minutes. You don’t have to pick one. Many people get the most out of combining them: flow when they have energy, calm when the week has been long. Here’s how to choose based on what you need, and what it looks like at yum in Sydhavn.

In short

• Want to move and sweat a little? Choose vinyasa.
• Want to learn the poses properly at a calm pace? Choose hatha.
• Want to slow down and give your body time? Choose yin.
• At yum, vinyasa means yum in the sky (slow flow) and yum on fire (powerful flow). Yin and restorative are in yum on earth.
• A good week can easily hold both flow and calm.

What’s the difference between vinyasa, hatha and yin?

This is a rough sketch. Teachers often blend styles, and a slow vinyasa flow can look a lot like hatha. Want to know more about flow? Read what is vinyasa yoga?. Want to see every style side by side, including restorative and aerial? Read which type of yoga should I choose?.

What do you need today?

The best question isn’t “which yoga is best?” but “what do I need today?”.

You have energy and want to move. Vinyasa is a good choice. The flow raises your pulse a little, warms you through and takes enough focus that your mind gets a break from the to-do list.

You want to learn yoga properly. The calm pace of hatha is great for that. You have time to notice where your feet are and what your shoulders are doing. That’s also what makes you feel at home in a flow later.

You’re tired, stressed or sore. Yin and restorative are often the right call. You lie on the mat, supported by bolsters and blankets, and let your nervous system settle. Read yoga for stress and sleep too.

You sit all day. A slow flow makes a lot of sense, because it moves your whole spine. Read yoga for back and neck.

Which yoga is the hardest?

It depends on what you mean by hard. Vinyasa is usually the most physically demanding of the three, because you’re moving all the time and carry a lot of your weight on your arms. Yin isn’t hard on your muscles, but it can be hard on your patience. Lying still for minutes at a time takes getting used to. Hatha sits somewhere in between.

If you’re brand new, start gently. It’s easier to turn it up than to recover from starting too hard.

How to combine them in a busy week

You don’t have to choose sides. Here are three examples of what a week can look like. Adjust them to your body and your calendar:

• Two classes a week: One vinyasa flow (yum in the sky) and one calm class (yum on earth).
• Three classes a week: Two flows and one calm class. Put the calm one after your busiest day.
• You already train a lot (running, climbing, dance): One powerful flow (yum on fire) and one calm class for recovery. Read yoga for climbers or yoga for dancers.

A rule of thumb: a fast flow late in the evening can keep some people awake. If you struggle to sleep, save the calm classes for the evening. Read yoga before bed.

How we do it at yum

• Vinyasa: yum in the sky is a slow flow with movement from hatha and vinyasa (60–75 min, intermediate and up). yum on fire is our most physical class, with head- and handstands (60–75 min, advanced).
• Hatha-inspired: yum basic elements goes through the basic poses (60 min, beginners). yum at sea is a fixed sequence focused on alignment, strength and flexibility (all levels).
• Yin and restorative: yum on earth is slow, inspired by yin and restorative, with meditation (60–75 min, all levels). yum retreat is breathwork, yoga nidra and sound (30–90 min).
• Small classes, free props: A maximum of 18 per class. Mats, blocks, straps, bolsters and blankets are free to borrow.

See every class and level in class descriptions, and find times on schedule and booking.

Want to try them all? With yum intro you get 30 days of unlimited yoga for 399 kr. (359 kr. under 30), so you can try both flow and calm and feel what you need. After that it continues as a membership at 799 kr./month (729 kr. under 30) unless you cancel before the intro ends.

FAQ

What’s the difference between vinyasa and hatha?

In vinyasa you move from pose to pose with your breath. In hatha you stay in each pose a little longer, with pauses in between. Vinyasa feels more flowing, hatha calmer and steadier.

What’s the difference between vinyasa and yin?

Vinyasa is active and warm, and you’re moving most of the time. Yin is quiet: you sit or lie down and hold poses for several minutes. They complement each other well.

Which yoga is best for beginners?

A calm pace is the easiest place to start. At yum that’s yum basic elements. yum on earth and yum at sea suit all levels too. yum in the sky is for intermediate yogis (not brand-new beginners). See levels on class descriptions and times on schedule and booking.

Can I do both vinyasa and yin?

Yes. Many people combine a flow when they have energy with a calm class when they need to wind down. It gives the week a good balance.

Which classes at yum are vinyasa, and which are yin?

Vinyasa: yum in the sky and yum on fire. Yin and restorative: yum on earth. See every class in class descriptions.