11. TYPES OF YOGA
1. RAJA YOGA
• Raja Yoga is simple words is all about your mind. It is a practice
that focuses on intelligence, emotional state and intuitive
parts of your mind. It is aimed towards uncovering the true
potential of a human mind through true understanding.
• It involves uplifting the lower mind to the higher mind, from
the 5 sensory experience to enlightenment. It is believed to
bring people to a state of clear awareness and awaken hidden
psychic potential. It includes the practice of contemplation and
meditation.
• Ideally, it should be practiced after the Hatha Yoga, which is
also aimed at preparing the physical body for deep meditation.
Raja Yoga is perfect for putting everything into perspective.
12. 2. KARMA YOGA
The Karma, we all know is about action, similarily the
Karma Yoga is the Yoga of actions.
• It requires the act of giving your time, efforts and
kindness towards a selfless action without expectations of
reciprocation or personal gain. This means acting without
the intention of a reward, confirmation or approval.
• It can be an unnoticed deed, for example, such as
cleaning up, fixing a fallen sign or saving a drowning insect
from the pool simply from the kindness of your own
heart. Karma Yoga revolves around doing things for the
greater good and is the most humbling of the many Yoga
styles.
13. 3. JNANA YOGA
• Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of seeking knowledge and wisdom and seeks
to understand the true meaning of everything with an
understanding that you can’t know all. It is the Yoga of self-inquiry
and asking questions such as, “Who am I, Where do I come from?”
without the interference of any previous assumptions – To know
that we don’t know and look within for all of the answers.
• In Jnana Yoga, our attention is turned towards the “Self” and we are
led to answers intuitively which are known, felt and experienced as
truth rather than intellectually “learned.” Ultimately, we recognize
and separate from ego and remain as the true Self.
4. BHAKTI YOGA
Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion and love for the Supreme,
God or a Guru. It is characterized by creating a loving, long-lasting
personal relationship with the Beloved in whatever form it may take
for you. It transcends all religions and is absolutely universal – The
true essence of love.
14. 5. MANTRA YOGA
Mantra Yoga is the Yoga of primordial sounds that vibrate with
the universe. Mantras are Sanskrit words and rhymes that are spiritually
powered. They are repeated (called Japa) and chanted with
concentration. This ultimately leads to the dissolving of the outer worlds,
which then allows for union with the universe.
6. TANTRA YOGA
• Tantra Yoga is the Yoga of various form of energies. The main focus is to
bring the duality of the feminine (Shakti) and masculine (Shiva) energies
within us together into a state of non-duality and thus achieving perfect
union.
• In some parts of the East, Tantra is looked down upon and not
considered a type of Yoga. This is most likely due to the fact that it is
often misunderstood, misconstrued and abused.
• It has often been associated with actions that are contradictory to the
true meaning and purpose of all Yoga. This is not to say that Tantra Yoga
should be dismissed – When used with an intention of Truth, it can be
very profound. However, without the supervision of a very experienced
and pure master, it is not advised.
15. 7. HATHA YOGA
• Most well know of all, Hatha Yoga is the Yoga of balance in
our bodies, both gross and subtle. “Ha” means sun and
“Tha” means moon.
• It includes all physical practice and is the recently
popularized style of Yoga in our western culture
characterized by asana (postures or poses). Hatha Yoga
also includes practices such as Mudra (hand gestures) and
all famous Pranayama (breath control.)
• It is considered the science of Yoga and its purpose is to
bring harmony to the chakras and energy points
throughout our body.
• Within Hatha Yoga, there are sub-categories of different
styles. These are the popular types of Hatha Yoga, which
are commonly referred to in the modern world.
16. 8. VINYASA
• Vinyasa Yoga is a common form of Yoga which includes a seamless flow of various
asana along with Pranayama. Each sequence is unique and ever-changing similar
to the flow of life.
9. KUNDALINI
• Kundalini Yoga is an extremely powerful Yoga which awakens the Kundalini
energies that lies dormant at the base of the spine and travels upward through
the chakras. It includes intense breathing, energizing movements and chanting.
10. ASHTANGA
• An Ashtanga is a very intense form of Yoga, which includes various postures. The
Asanas are combined with the breath and progress into advanced asana to tone
and master the body.
11. IYENGAR
• Iyengar Yoga is a versatile form of Hatha Yoga which was popularized by B.K.S
Iyengar. It includes the use of props such as blocks, cushions, and straps and is,
therefore, suitable for all body types and capabilities.
12. BIKRAM
• Bikram Yoga, which is also known as “Hot Yoga,” is done in a closed room that has
been heated to a high temperature and humidity level. This is a new form of Yoga
dedicated to sweating out those toxins.
