Paths of Yoga

Karma yoga

Through the system of karma yoga all our actions have the potential to become ‘yoga’. This important path aims to combine action with equanimity, resulting in a dynamic form of meditation. The philosophy behind karma yoga is that we are bound in this world of joys and sorrows due to the cause and effect of our actions (karma), and in order to free ourselves from this cycle of bondage we need to develop immunity to the reactive and negative components of an action. In traditional ashrams all activity is based around the concept of karma yoga. The aim is that people act with awareness of their actions so that the spirit of yoga permeates all aspects, from cooking, cleaning and office work to interacting and relating to others.

Bhakti yoga

Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion. The word ‘bhakti’ comes form the root bhaja which means to ‘adore, serve, love, to be devoted.’ The practices of bhakti yoga aim to channel the emotions and feelings towards a higher, sublime experience. Many people give this path a religious bent, however an ardent practitioner who is able to feel intense devotion will automatically achieve the state of concentration, regardless of religious beliefs.

Hatha yoga

The term ‘hatha yoga’ is commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The syllable ‘ha’ denotes the sun, representing the pranic or vital force governing the physical body; ‘tha’ denotes the moon, representing the mental force, thus making hatha yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies that govern our lives. More correctly, the techniques described in hatha yoga harmonise and purify the body systems, and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices.

Jnana yoga

‘Jnana’ literally means 'knowledge', but in the context of yoga this does not mean an intellectual understanding, rather it is the process of meditative awareness and self-enquiry that leads to intuitive wisdom.
In jnana yoga nothing is taken for granted, everything is questioned, gradually unravelling the layers of ignorance, until we discover our true ‘Self’.
There is a famous saying in jnana yoga: ‘I am not this, I am not that.’ Ultimately, conclusions are drawn that the Self cannot be anything impermanent and so it must be beyond language, intellect and mundane existence.

Kriya yoga

 The word ‘kriya’ means 'activity' or 'movement' referring to the activity or movement of consciousness. Kriya also refers to a type of practical or preliminary practice leading to total union, the final result of all yogic paths. Unlike more classical forms of yoga and meditation, kriya yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness. In this way all faculties are harmonised and flower into their fullest potential.

Raja yoga The word ‘raja’ means ‘king’, thus raja yoga is the kingly or royal yoga. The path of raja yoga usually refers to the system of yoga that is described in the Yoga Sutras of Rishi Patanjali (c. 500 BCE). In this ancient text Patanjali gives eight stages of yoga (ashtanga yoga) which are known collectively as raja yoga.
Raja yoga is a comprehensive yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behaviour and personality through the following systematic stages, each of which is a rung in the ladder to the development of spiritual awareness and awakening:

1. Yama (self-restraints, social observances)
2. Niyama (personal, inner disciplines)
3. Asana (postures)
4. Pranayama (pranic breathing techniques)
5. Pratyahara (sensory withdrawal)
6. Dharana (concentration or one-pointedness)
7. Dhyana (meditation)
8. Samadhi (absorption, self-realization)