Types of Yoga

Yoga has been around for many centuries. It originates from India and means ‘union'; A union of the body, mind and breath. There are about forty different types of yoga and each is a positive way to reduce these negative factors in our lives. Even if you are practicing only the physical part of yoga you will benefit greatly.

Yoga isn't just for the spiritually minded people; everyone can benefit. It seems as though many people feel that there are not great benefits from yoga because one doesn't work up a sweat and get the heart pumping. This is not true, yoga is a calming practice and it works at strengthening the central nervous system and keeping it healthy. Yoga is known for decreasing health problems or fixing existing problems. It is known to help heart conditions, anxiety, carpal tunnel syndrome and various chronic conditions. It is definitely a holistic approach to healing. Many people swear by it. It is a wonderful way to start the day, especially if the weather is warm and sunny.

There are many different types of yoga, and it is important to choose a form that is appropriate for each individual's level of fitness, goals, and medical condition. Some of the most popular and widely available forms are briefly explained below:

• Bhakti Yoga
  

  Bhakti Yoga emphasizes on the love and devotion to the Almighty. The individual performing this type of Yoga concentrates on the existence of Almighty. He/she learns to show love, compassion to the creatures co-existing with him/her, apart from keenly worshipping the Lord. Bhakti Yoga can be practiced in a number of ways, such as praising the God by singing, chanting slogans, reading religious books, listening to prayers and by watching religious movies.

• Hatha Yoga
  

  Hatha Yoga was founded by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century in India. This type of Yoga is all about the combination of two extremes, 'ha' (the Sun, regarded as the positive current) and 'tha' (the Moon, regarded as the negative current). It involves the performance of physical postures (Asanas), breathing exercises (Pranayams), meditation, mudras and purification procedures known as 'Shatkriyas'.

• Jnana Yoga
  

  Jnana literally means 'knowledge', but in the context of yoga it means the process of meditative awareness which leads to illuminative wisdom. Jnana Yoga is the process of converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom. It is a discovery of human dharma in relation to nature and the universe. Jnana Yoga is described by tradition as a means to obtain the highest meditative state and inner knowledge. It is not a method by which we try to find rational answers to eternal questions; rather it is a part of meditation leading to self-enquiry and self-realisation.

• Karma Yoga
  

  As the name suggests, Karma Yoga is the dedication of all the actions (karma) and their fruits to the Almighty. Karma Yoga is a path of devotion to the work. One looses his identity while working, only selfless work remains. This state is very difficult to achieve. Generally some rewards or incentives or outcome follows the work and one is attached to this reward or incentive. This is not the Karma Yoga. Non-attachment with the work and becoming the perfect instrument of the super consciousness in this manifested universe is the ultimate aim of Karma Yoga.

• Kundalini Yoga
  

  Kundalini Yoga aims at drawing the untapped energy (Kundalini), coiled at the base of the spine, by using a set of technique that uses the person's mind, senses and body. Apart from the physical postures (Asanas), the person performs meditation, chants mantras in order to awaken each of the seven chakras of the body. The Asanas are coordinated with the hold of breath control.

• Mantra Yoga
  

  Mantra Yoga, as the name suggests, makes use of mantras to attain a peace of mind and increase the concentration power. The mantras are chanted by the person in a thoughtful way, in order to attain certain goals. Mantra Yoga helps eliminate a number of disorders, including psychosomatic ailments and the problems of anxiety, stress and tension. It boosts the person's self-confidence as well.

• Kriya Yoga
  

  The word kriya means 'activity' or 'movement' and refers 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 practice. Kriya Yoga does not curb mental fluctuations but purposely creates activity and awakening in consciousness. In this way, all faculties are harmonized and flower into their fullest potential. Kriya Yoga originated in antiquity and evolved over time through practice and experience. The full forms of Kriya Yoga consist of over 70 kriyas out of which only 20 or so are commonly known.

• Raj Yoga
  

  Raja Yoga is a comprehensive yoga system which deals with the refinement of human behavior and personality through the practice of the yamas (restraint) and niyamas (disciplines); attainment of physical health and vitality through asanas (postures) and pranayamas (pranic breathing techniques); management of mental and emotional conflicts and development of awareness and concentration through pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and dharana (concentration); and developing the creative aspect of consciousness for transcendental awareness through dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption in the universal identity).

Yoga can become a rewarding, life-long activity that promotes health and maintains function as one ages. Because of the many modifications available and the different types of yoga, it can be a part of almost everyone's fitness plan, and the opportunities to advance and improve are endless.