Six Branches Of Yoga
Carrie A.Hall
Hatha Yoga
Hatha Yoga is the path of Physical Yoga or Yoga of Postures is
the most popular branch of Yoga. Hatha Yoga considered the body
as the vehicle for the soul. It uses Physical Poses or Asana,
Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, Meditation in order to bring
the body in perfect health and for the more subtle spiritual
elements of the mind to emerge freely. The practice of Hatha
Yoga will result to the union of the body and the soul, it aims
to make the body perfect and fill it with life force.
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is the path of heart and devotion or the Yoga of
devotion. Yogis who practice Bhakti Yoga sees the Divine in
everyone and everything he encounters. This lead him to develop
love, acceptance and tolerance for all. Bhaki Yoga teaches a
person to have a devotion to God and all things through
devotion to life and love.
Raja Yoga
Raja means "royal". Raja Yoga is the path of Yoga that focuses
on meditation and contemplation. It is based on the Eight Limbs
of Yoga which was discussed in the Yoga Sutra. This Yoga path
teaches deep self respect through self mastery. The self here
is honored. Raja Yoga believes that the universe exists for the
self, giving the self an illusion of centrality which results to
self respect and respect for all creatures. Raja Yoga is also
referred to as the King of Yogas, majority of its practitioners
live in spiritual or religious orders.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that deals with wisdom and
knowledge or the Yoga of the mind. Jnana Yogis pays tribute on
man's intelligence. They try to surpass limitations by unifying
intellect and wisdom. Jnana Yoga tries to obtain existence
beyond doctrine and ideological controversies by accepting all
other philosophies and religion. It also uses an open, rational
and curious mind in studying the spirit.
Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga believes that your present situation is based on
your past actions. Karma Yoga is the path of service; it refers
to the energy of action. This path requires you to be selfless.
Performing a selfless service is the essence of Karma Yoga or
consciously choosing a future that is free from negativity and
selfishness knowing that your life is a consequence of your
past actions. Karma Yoga practices try to change your action
towards the good - good words, good thoughts, good deeds, in
order to change your soul. By being selfless, you change your
consciousness which leads to a change in your destiny.
Tantra Yoga
Tantra Yoga is the path of ritual and perhaps the most
misunderstood path. Some may think of Tantra Yoga as sorcery,
witchcraft, magic spell or some mysterious formula. Most people
perceive Tantra Yoga as sexual. All of these perceptions are far
from truth. Tantra is the knowledge concerning Tattva (Truth or
Brahman) and Mantra (mystic syllables). It utilizes rituals to
respectfully experience the sacred in everything we do, not
just sex though sex is a part of it. It aims to expand our
awareness in all states - whether awake or asleep. Tantra Yoga
practitioners must have purity, humility, devotion, courage,
dedication to his Guru, cosmic love, faithfulness, contentment,
dispassion, non-covetousness, and truthfulness.
About The Author: Yoga is for Anyone! Find out about Yoga
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