The Schools of Yoga
Understanding The 9 branches of Yoga
HATHA YOGA
Asanas & Postures
The practice of asana, yoga oil, is commonly referred to as Hatha yoga. In Hatha yoga, the root, ha refers to the life, or pranic force, which governs the physical body. The syllable that denotes the Mind or Citta force. With practice, Hatha yoga awakens the physical and mental forces that regulate our lives.
BHAKTI YOGA
Emotion & Devotion
Bhakti is a yogic practice of love and devotion/complete faith. Faith is in the recognition that there is divinity or supreme consciousness in any form: Lord Rama, Krishna, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha, a Guru for his disciples.
KARMA YOGA
Yoga of Action
This is the Yoga of action and service, a path of devotion to the work. The goal is to transcend one’s identity through the efforts of selfless work. There’s an emphasis on non-attachment with the work and becoming an instrument of the divine
JNANA YOGA
Path of Knowledge
This is the Yoga of knowledge becoming wisdom. It’s a pathway by which one recognizes the personal as an integral element of the universal: one discovers how their life purpose, or dharma, relates to the universe.
TANTRA YOGA
Inner Technology
The word Tantra means “to weave or expand”. The purpose of Tantra Yoga, is a deeper connection with others and the universe through the process of merging spiritual styles, teachings, and various yoga practices. What distinguishes it from others is that it also weaves dynamics of other mystical practices such as astrology, Ayurveda, Crystal, and Gemology.
KRIYA YOGA
Internal Action
Kriya Yoga is a meditation technique of energy and breath control, as well as movement of energy and awareness. Kriya also refers to the result of the practice: total union that occurs from the purposeful actions and awakening in consciousness. The harmony of mental, physical and energetic faculties promotes a state of evolution into one’s highest potential. It is part of a comprehensive spiritual path, which includes additional meditation practices along with right living.
RAJA YOGA
King of Kings
This is the Yoga of concentration. The practice of Raja Yoga embodies the Yamas (restraint) and Niyamas (disciplines) to purify practitioners; the asanas (postures) and pranayamas (breathing techniques) to uplift vitality and health; pratyahara (sensory withdrawal) and Dharana (concentration) to create a balance of mind and emotions; dhyana (meditation) and samadhi (absorption in the universal identity) to develop consciousness
KUNDALINI YOGA
Unite The Finite With Infinite
This system of Yoga is concerned with awakening the energy centers or chakras, which exist in every individual. Asanas, pranayama, mudra, and bandha (conscious engagement and release of energy locks), and other forms of yoga such as Mantra yoga are used to stimulate the awakening. Kundalini practices and kriyas aid in releasing kundalini energy that rests at the base of the spine and distributes throughout the body by way of the chakras
NADA YOGA
Yoga of Sound
This yoga uses pure sounds as a means of meditation. There are no mantras involved. Nada yoga uses sound vibrations and resonances to treat various spiritual and psychological conditions. It also helps increase one's awareness of the chakras and energizes them. In Nada yoga, there are two types of sound: internal, or Anahata, and external, or ahata.