4 YOGA

WHAT IS YOGA

The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. This implies joining or integrating all aspects of the individual - body with mind and mind with soul - to achieve a happy, balanced and useful life, and spiritually, uniting the individual with the supreme.
In India, Yoga is considered one of the six branches of classical philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas - ancient Indian scriptures and amongst the oldest texts in existence.The Upanishads are also broadly philosophical treatises which postdate the Vedas and deal with the nature of the "soul" and universe.
However, the origins of yoga are believed to be much older than that, stemming from the oral traditions of Yogis, where knowledge of Yoga was handed down from Guru (spiritual teacher) to Sisya (spiritual student) all the way back to the originators of Yoga, "the Rishis," who first began investigation into the nature of reality and man's inner world.
Legend has it that knowledge of Yoga was first passed by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and from there into the lives of men.

PATHS OF YOGA

There are said to be 4 main paths (Margas), according to the Bhagavad Gita, by which to reach the ultimate goal of Yoga - "Kaivalya." There is the path of Knowledge (Jnana Marga) in which one learns to discriminate between what is real and what is illusory, the path of selfless work (Karma marga), the path of devotion (Bhakti Marga) and the path of control of the mind (Yoga Marga) where all the activities of the mind and consciousness are studied and brought under control. From these have come the various paths of yoga which can be followed

• Raja yoga involves mastery of the mind and senses in Samadhi; essentially the advanced aspects of Patanjali's astanga yoga.
  


• Hatha yoga is the yoga of the will which involves cultivating ones energy to arouse Kundalini primarily by means of asana and pranayama.
  


• Mantra yoga involves reciting sacred syllables to reach perfection.
  


• Laya yoga involves absorption in god to experience ultimate bliss.
  


• Bhakti yoga requires absolute devotion to god to achieve the ultimate goal.
  


• Karma yoga achieves this through selfless work without thought of personal reward.
  


• Jnana yoga is the yoga of knowledge cultivating the discrimination between spiritual reality and the illusion of the material world.

YOGA SUTHRAS OF PATANJALI

The varied philosophies and methodologies of Yoga itself were clearly and methodically brought together and presented by the sage Patanjali in his set of 196 aphorisms called "The Yoga Sutras," written some 2200 years ago. The Sutras bring together all the various strands of theory and practice from all sources of yoga and present them in one concise, integrated and comprehensive text. How all the aspects interrelate and form part of the whole body of yoga are clearly elucidated. There are 8 disciplines to yoga as presented by Patanjali (thus Astanga yoga - 8 limbed yoga) which must be practiced and refined in order to perceive the true self- the ultimate goal of Yoga:

Yama - Universal ethics: Non-violence, truthfulness, non-stealing, sexual restraint and non-acquisitiveness.

Niyama - Principles of self conduct: purity, contentment, intense dedication or austerity, study of self and scriptures and self-surrender.

Asana - practice of the postures.

Pranayama - Breath control.

Pratyahara - withdrawal and control of the senses.

Dharana - concentration.

Dhyana - meditation.

Samadhi - a state of higher consciousness where the sense of self (ego) dissolves in the object of meditation and the individual self exists in its own pure nature.

TYPES OF YOGA

• BHAKTI YOGA


• PURNA YOGA


• HATHA YOGA


• JNANA YOGA


• KARMA YOGA


• KUNDALINI YOGA


• MANTRA YOGA


• RAJ YOGA

BHAKTI YOGA

In this section of Yoga types, different Yoga styles and Yoga paths have been discussed. The prominent Yoga types or Yoga styles are Bhakti Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Mantra Yoga, Purna Yoga and Raja Yoga. Though all the above Yoga styles are popular among the Yoga followers but the Kundalini Yoga type is most sought after in the west. It is interesting to note that different Yoga types have their unique virtues. Some Yoga styles are useful for physical strength whereas some are useful for increasing mental prowess. Bhakti Yoga emphasizes love and devotion whereas Hatha Yoga is an easy Yoga style and most popular in the US. Jnana Yoga highlights the use of the mind to surpass the mind i.e. to discern the mind. Karma Yoga lays emphasis on selfless action and service. Kundalini Yoga uses sexual experience as a means to enlightenment and knowledge. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. Purna Yoga lays more emphasis on the importance of Karma in day today life. Raja Yoga provides solution for complete and holistic healing.

PURNA YOGA

Purna Yoga or integral yoga is said to be an improvisation over the traditional Yoga systems of India. It was thought that the traditional Yoga system revolved more around salvation and next life rather than the present one. The integral Yoga lays more emphasis on the importance of Karma in day today life. Purna Yoga gives Yoga a positive and dynamic form. Integral Yoga suggests three levels of integration- the integration of the inner, the integration of the human psyche with its external environment, and the integration of the psyche with its ultimate spiritual Ground. Purna Yoga is a world-affirmative and body-positive spirituality that skillfully combines self-transcendence with love, compassion, and veneration for all life. According to the Integral Yoga the ultimate goal of life is complete self-integration. This self-integration involves other important elements like action, love, wisdom and peace. The yoga of love or devotion (Bhakti yoga) is perfectly right in affirming love as the fulfillment of life and as an essential ingredient of salvation. It is important to note that Purna Yoga does not separate love from wisdom and selfless action. Love in its spiritual essence is an attribute of wisdom. Integral yoga points out that knowledge is inseparable from love and action but that action is not merely a means to self-purification resulting in salvation.

HATA YOGA

Hatha Yoga is an important Yoga type. Hatha Yoga is an easy form of Yoga and is very popular in the United States and other western countries. Hatha Yoga is said to be the basis of all Yoga systems. The word Hatha is made of two words, "Ha" and "Tha", Ha means "sun" and "Tha" means "moon." Thus, Hatha Yoga refers to positive (sun) and to negative (moon) currents in the system. The most suitable way to practice Hatha Yoga is to begin with a calm and meditative bent of mind. Sit quietly for a few moments and relax. Thereafter you can begin with the Hatha Yoga practice, slowly, with control and grace. While doing the asanas you must remember that you do not overstretch beyond a limit. Remember this is not a competition. Hatha yoga is a complete fitness program and will release endorphins in the brain as well as any regular exercise program. Hatha yoga is the physical part of Yoga practice. Hatha yoga lays emphasis on asanas, pranayama and dhyana (meditation). Another important facet of Yoga is that it aims at balancing different energy flows within the human body. About half of the nearly 200 Hatha Yoga asanas are popular in the West. The Hatha Yoga postures range from the basic to the complex, from the easy ones to the very challenging. Every movement in Yoga is planned and controlled as a result of that they prove revitalizing for both mind and body. Hatha Yoga exercises are intended to ease tense muscles, to tone up the internal organs, and to improve the body flexibility. The aim of accurate Yoga exercise is to improve flexibility and strength of the body. When practiced in combination with breathing techniques, Hatha yoga postures stimulate circulation, digestion, nervous and endocrine systems of the body.

JNANA YOGA

Another popular Yoga type is the Jnana Yoga. Jnana Yoga emphasizes the use of the mind to surpass the mind i.e. to discern the mind. The aim of Jnana Yoga is to endeavor ceaselessly to explore knowledge and to know and understand. Jnana Yoga is eight-limbed, and its other seven limbs are detachment, self-discipline, longing for freedom, hearing the truth, reflection upon that truth, and meditation. Jnana Yoga aims at attaining liberation through knowledge and not by rituals and ceremonies. Knowledge attained by Jnana Yoga is through understanding of judgment and experience. It is not that everyone is knowledgeable. Knowledge is only for the special few who are prepared for sound examination and clear discernment of the nature of Consciousness. The individual who chooses the path Of Jnana Yoga to discern knowledge goes through conclusions accumulated through millions of years. Afterwards the individual examines them in the light of his own intelligence and then comes to his own realization. In deep meditation, the knowledge seeker reflects the distinctiveness of Consciousness in manifestation. After going through this rigorous process of Jnana Yoga the knowledge seeker gains insight and perfect realization.

KARMA YOGA

Karma Yoga lays emphasis on selfless action and service. The underlying message of Karma Yoga is very clear- humans must always work in harmony with the great power that controls and runs the universe. If we follow this we are no longer egotistically motivated. At the same time we no longer maintain obsessive desires in relation to the future. With the eradication of compulsive or obsessive desire, we are able to live in the present and at the same time can plan for the future. This planning about future is independent of boundation to the future. We all know that every logical desire carries within itself the motive force for its fulfillment i.e. while doing different works we tend to think about their results in future. In the process we are subconsciously pushed towards it or attract it to ourselves. The most important aspect of the Yogic philosophy is that it is not against intelligent planning. It lays emphasis only on relinquishing egotistic desires. In this way we are more open to practical aspects of inner guidance. As we work with a cheerful attitude, doing what we are best suited to do, we know a harmony and an inner peace which those who strive and struggle can never know.

KUNDALINI YOGA

Kundalini Yoga system is remarkably different than most of the religious systems of the world. Most of the religious traditions look forward to maintaining celibacy to attain spiritual growth. It is mainly because of this attitude that the thought, sexual involvement is detrimental to a greater development of self, has come into being. On the other hand, Tantra yoga suggests that sexuality can be a very powerful force that should be harnessed for increased self-awareness and consciousness. Thus, Kundalini Yoga is curious, in that it not only allows sexual feelings and contact, but uses sexual experience as a means to enlightenment and knowledge. The Tantra school believes in the notion that if the enormous energy, trapped into sexuality, is released from the lower end of the spine, can flow up the spinal column to bring divine illumination to the brain. According to their belief, Kundalini energy flows in the interior of spine, along an energy channel called shushumna. The Kundalini energy is thought to be the most powerful of all supernatural energies. On the other side of the canal are two additional energy channels, one called "Ida" corresponding to the male, and the other the "Pingala" corresponding to the female. Ida is at the right of the base of the spine and the pingala is at the left side. After achieving mastery of self by relaxing body tension, silencing mental talk, and releasing energy blocks, an individual is ready to join with a partner having the same energy level. Together they form a "whole". To reach this position the partners must achieve a highly developed awareness within their being. In the Tantric lovemaking (maithuna), the partners undergo a diversity of meditations and rituals before making physical contact. It is of utmost importance that throughout the lovemaking process the partners must maintain the spiritual link. It is interesting to know that in the Tantric yoga, the partners do not aim at orgasm. On the other hand they try not to have one. In the process they draw the forces of Kundalini energy upward. It helps in releasing the power of various chakras. The process of "maithuna" is not aimed at the sexual release as an end, but on sex as a conduit through which the evolution of self may continue.

MANTRA YOGA

Mantras are words, phrases, or syllables which are chanted attentively and thoughtfully to attain certain goals. In the Mantra Yoga meditation one has to chant a word or a phrase until he/she transcends mind and emotions. In the process the super conscious is discovered and achieved. The rhythm and the meaning of mantras combine to conduct the mind safely back to the point of meditation- the higher consciousness or the specific spiritual focus. Different syllables, phrases and words posses their unique healing potential. Hence they are chanted at a specific time. As a tool to achieve stillness, the mantra is to be discarded at the moment stillness is achieved. Sometimes mantras are also applied to modify circumstances. In the chanting of the mantras it is of immense importance that they are pronounced properly or else all their intended effect would not come. For such purposes it is important that the proper pronunciation is imparted.

RAJ YOGA

An important branch of Yoga, Raja Yoga is a one stop solution for complete and holistic healing. Raja Yoga possesses the positive power of influencing the life of human beings. Raja Yoga synchronizes the physiological system as a whole as well as transforms all spheres (physical, mental, emotional, intellectual, occupational, social and spiritual) of human existence. Raja Yoga therapy is truly a holistic treatment as it heals the principal mechanisms and the control of the whole person. Raja Yoga helps an individual to mitigate emotional and mental conflicts. Raja Yoga also brings lasting peace and satisfaction in one's life. All these virtues make Raja Yoga a way of living. If a person is not healthy from inside he/she can't be called a complete healthy individual. Raja Yoga is of immense importance here as it heals a person from within as well. All systems of human beings get transformed through Raja Yoga practice. Raja Yoga not only transforms the body but also the brain, which completely harmonizes the individual. Being a self initiated technique, Raja Yoga helps healing through activation of health promoting physiological and biochemical processes in the body. It is interesting to note that during the course of the Raja Yoga practice an individual comes into harmony with other human beings and environment. Raja Yoga practice prolongs human existence. Thus, Raja Yoga helps people to fulfill and achieve responsibilities in a balanced way.