THE FOUR PATHS OF YOGA
The Four Paths of Yoga all lead to the same place - union with the Divine - but help in getting there by giving options that fit different human temperaments and approaches to life. Which one fits you best?
Karma Yoga(also known as the yoga of action) teaches to act without egoist expectations in all endeavours of daily life ~ home, work, school. It is a good path with someone who is outgoing and enjoys a certain sense of spiritual activism to help others.
Raja Yoga(also known as the Science of the mind) is the path that takes us on a comprehensive journey to understanding our mind and thoughts. Through mental control, we are able to gain control of the physical body and the life force energy known as prana. This is a good path for those who are interested in meditation and its effects on the mind.
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Bhakti Yoga (also known as the path of devotion) is a good path for someone with an emotional nature and enjoys prayer, worship and seeking God through unconditionally loving others. The rise of kirtan or singing/chanting the names of God is a sure sign that Bhakti Yoga is a growing path around the world.
Jnana Yoga (also known as the yoga of knowledge) is considered a good path for those with strong intellectual tendencies as it requires great strength of will and mind. Using Vedanta as a vehicle, the inquiry into the individual nature is the key to this difficult path. It is best undertaken after some of the lessons of the other paths have been well understood in order to move along towards Self-realization or profound spiritual awakening.
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Hatha Yoga vs Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the path that passes through self-restraint and sense of mastery to union with God leads.
Raja Yoga teaches how the senses and Vrittis or thought waves in the mind ascend mastered how to concentration develops and how to merge with God.
Hatha Yoga requires physical mastery, Raja Yoga on the other hand thought control. The yogi focuses on the chakras (astral nerve centers in the body), on the mind, the elements and gained superhuman knowledge. He gained control of the elements.
Raja Yoga is about the development of the rule ( Raja : king / ruler) over the mind and the description / definition of the spirit. The Raja Yoga of Patanjali is concerned directly with the spirit and the mind-control (mental techniques). Through self-observation and self-analysis , we get to know our individual pattern. We find out what limits us in our potential and what good. By focusing on the good in us, we are developing more and more of our divine strength.
Hatha Yoga is the body-oriented part of the Yoga Ha (ha) means "sun", Tha (Tha) is called "moon". "Yoga" means " unity / harmony ". Hatha Yoga is therefore to harmonize the two basic energies in our system, the activating, warm and constructive, cooling energy . "Hatha" as a whole word also means "effort".
Hatha Yoga says that the body of the temple of the soul is, and should be maintained as such, without, however, consider him the most important thing. Hatha Yoga sees the people so as a whole. Hatha Yoga is not only the physical body , but also to the power envelope ( Pranamaya Kosha ) and the spiritual and emotional envelope ( Manomaya Kosha )
Raja Yoga teaches how the senses and Vrittis or thought waves in the mind ascend mastered how to concentration develops and how to merge with God.
Hatha Yoga requires physical mastery, Raja Yoga on the other hand thought control. The yogi focuses on the chakras (astral nerve centers in the body), on the mind, the elements and gained superhuman knowledge. He gained control of the elements.
Raja Yoga is about the development of the rule ( Raja : king / ruler) over the mind and the description / definition of the spirit. The Raja Yoga of Patanjali is concerned directly with the spirit and the mind-control (mental techniques). Through self-observation and self-analysis , we get to know our individual pattern. We find out what limits us in our potential and what good. By focusing on the good in us, we are developing more and more of our divine strength.
Hatha Yoga is the body-oriented part of the Yoga Ha (ha) means "sun", Tha (Tha) is called "moon". "Yoga" means " unity / harmony ". Hatha Yoga is therefore to harmonize the two basic energies in our system, the activating, warm and constructive, cooling energy . "Hatha" as a whole word also means "effort".
Hatha Yoga says that the body of the temple of the soul is, and should be maintained as such, without, however, consider him the most important thing. Hatha Yoga sees the people so as a whole. Hatha Yoga is not only the physical body , but also to the power envelope ( Pranamaya Kosha ) and the spiritual and emotional envelope ( Manomaya Kosha )
TYPES OF YOGA
Hatha, Ashtanga and Kriya Yoga are just different forms of practicing yoga, but the basic core remains the same in all the three forms.
Difference Between Hatha, Ashtanga And Kriya Yoga
HATHA YOGA
Hatha Yoga is a particular system of Yoga described by Yogi Swatmarama, compiler of the Hatha Yoga Pradipika in 15th century India. Hatha Yoga differs substantially from the Raja Yoga of Patanjali in that it focuses on "shatkarma," the purification of the physical body as leading to the purification of the mind ("ha"), and "prana," or vital energy (tha). Compared to the seated asana, or sitting meditation posture, of Patanjali's Raja yoga, it marks the development of asanas (plural) into the full body 'postures' now in popular usage and, along with its many modern variations, is the style that many people associate with the word "Yoga" today. Hatha yoga considers ‘ha’ (sun) and ‘tha’ (moon), i.e. the two opposing parts of the body (front and back, left and right etc.), and the ‘yolking’ of them (yoga). Of the original yoga or the eight- fold yoga as proposed by Patanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutra’. Hatha yoga deploys just two—those of posture (asana) and breathing (pranayama). Through the practice of Hatha Yoga, your body becomes supple, strong, flexible and balanced. Your organs are well supplied with blood. Pranayama (science of breathing) teaches breathing techniques and is an essential part of yoga. Pranayama helps in centering the mind and improves concentration and mental well being. Hatha Yoga is the most commonly practiced form of yoga because of its emphasis on physical exercise.
Hatha yoga utilizes speed, repetitions, maintainence with strength (Isometric) and jerks in the mode of performance.
Hatha yoga utilizes speed, repetitions, maintainence with strength (Isometric) and jerks in the mode of performance.
ASHTANGA VINYASA YOGA
Yogi K. Patabhi Jois introduced a version of yoga called Ashtanga Yoga which is a more power-packed version of the traditional Hatha Yoga postures. It pays particular attention to the sequence of asanas and how one asana should lead to the other. The asanas are done as a continuous motion and resemble aerobics since they are more energetic and taxing. It combines the principles of postures and breathing like Hatha Yoga, but here stamina building also forms a component. To distinguish it from Patanjali’s original Ashtanga Yoga, this is also called Ashtanga Vinyasa Yoga.
KRIYA YOGA
Kriya Yoga, introduced by Yogi Paramahansa Yogananda, is ‘spirituality’ based yoga, where an initiation takes place between the ‘master’ and his ‘disciple’. You have to follow three basic principles, namely, self discipline, introspection and devotion. By practising these three you eventually achieve a higher consciousness or state of being. These kriya exercises are not simple breathing exercises. The ‘prana’ or life- force is controlled and channelized through the spinal passages and the spiritual energy is opened up. The mind, body and spirit reach a sense of balance and purity.
Presently, the interest in yoga has heightened. Several forms of yoga under different names have cropped up. Few examples are Iyengar Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Power Yoga and many more. You can take select what suits you. However, the basic principles of yoga are the same, with the aim to make your body supple and your mind tranquil.