Types Of Yoga

 For more than 2,000 years humans have practiced yoga. Over these centuries yoga has developed into a system of widely varied practices, much like an ancient tree with many branches.

Each branch of yoga was developed to serve specific human needs. As a general rule, though, they all serve one primary purpose: to bring into equilibrium the human mind and body. In what follows, we will take a closer look at a few of those many branches of yoga.

Hatha Yoga

If enhanced well being is your goal, you should direct yourself to the practice of hatha yoga. In addition to meditation, which is the common practice for all yoga branches, hatha yoga teaches a series of postures (known in yoga terminology as asanas) and breathing exercises (called pranayamas). Hatha yoga is considered to be one of the primary antecedents of modern physical therapy.

Karma Yoga

Another popular branch is karma yoga, which operates upon the principle that everything that happens to us in our life is a direct consequence of our past actions. As a result, karma yoga encourages practitioners to eliminate negativity and selfishness from their current lives, to avoid having to deal with future consequences. Karma yoga is practiced throughout one's day, including at work. Activities undertaken with the goal of helping other people, such as volunteering at a soup kitchen, are associated with the karma yoga path.

Raja Yoga

A branch of yoga which places a great emphasis on meditation is raja yoga. Known also under the name of classical yoga, raja is a more advanced practice. Practitioners usually start with hatha yoga in order to prepare the body for more advanced training. Studies have shown that people attracted by this form of yoga are, in general, more introspective and more drawn to profound meditation. Various religious groups devote themselves to this yoga path, which is similar to a monastic or contemplative lifestyle.

Jnana Yoga

This branch of yoga is directed mainly to scholars. It involves development of the intellect through the study of yoga tradition, scripts and texts. It is also known to be the yoga of the heart and wisdom. Although it is described as the most difficult of all yoga practices, jnana yoga is also considered 1 of the most direct and rewarding paths.

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti yoga promotes the ideal of devotion. The principle message of this yoga path is the presence of something divine in every form of creation. Hence, it is important to tolerate, accept and respect any form of life with which we come into contact.

In Conclusion

These are only a few of the numerous yoga branches and paths. The important thing to understand is that you can find a yoga practice suitable to your needs, and use it to find equilibrium and inner peace.