Yoga is a means to find health, happiness, healing, transformation, and peace. This ancient discipline with the philosophy of non violence at it's core, and its clear understanding of nature, brings art into science and science to spirituality. It is a pursuit that benefits both the individual and society. Yoga can be practiced in a way that suits the personality of the individual and is able to bring to each person what they need at that point in time.
I have listed the main paths to yoga. Please note that these paths overlap and are not mutually exclusive. We can practice them all if we want to!
- Hatha Yoga - postures, breathing, cleansing (kriyas) & meditation. The yoga for the active person or for those who need to improve their health. Hatha Yoga can be taught in different styles such as Classical Hatha, Ashtanga, Iyengar Yoga and Yoga Therapy, and these all exist to suit the needs and personality of different yoga students and teachers.
- Raja Yoga - meditation - to be practiced with Hatha yoga. For those in good health who can sit with an upright spine long enough to meditate. Meditation should flow from sessions in concentration, i.e. focusing the mind on one point, which could be an object such as a candle or mandala, or a visualized object. Meditation is best practiced with a teacher who can point out to you the subtleties of practice by observing your progress.
- Karma Yoga - right action & belief in cause & effect. For those who believe in helping others. Offering help, or Seva, can be fulfilling if nothing is expected in return. This can include volunteering to further a good cause or simply offering help to those around you regularly.
- Bhakti Yoga - devotion to the Divine, including chanting/mantra. For the emotional, artistic and spiritual person. This method can be very uplifting, bringing out joyful and peaceful feelings or helping to clear out the past and any emotional blockages. Mantras include the Gayatri Mantra and Kirtan chants include the Mahamantra. Kirtan is traditionally chanted in a call and response format and using instruments such as the harmonium and tabla. When these are chanted we tune ourselves to the vibrations of our environment, making us feel our connection with nature. These chants can also help us through tough times as they help clear the mind, improve the breathing and calm the nervous system, therefore making us feel more grounded.
- Jnana Yoga - philosophy - Self study through the scriptures. For the intellectual and inquisitive. The yoga texts are an excellent way to understand the background and philosophy behind the practice. These include Patanjali's Yoga Sutras, The Bhagavad Gita and the Upanishads.
- Tantra Yoga - sacred rituals & experiencing the Divine in everything. For the spiritual person.
