Different Types of Yoga practices and disciplines

Yoga, a practice that originated in ancient India, has evolved into a multifaceted discipline with a variety of styles, each offering unique approaches to physical, mental, and spiritual well-being. Understanding the diverse types of yoga allows practitioners to explore and find the style that resonates most with their needs and preferences. like Gyan yog, bhakti yog, Raj Yog etcFrom the dynamic and physically demanding to the gentle and meditative, the spectrum of yoga practices caters to individuals of all ages, abilities, and goals. In this exploration, we will delve into some of the most prominent types of yoga, shedding light on their distinctive characteristics, benefits, and philosophies. Whether you seek to enhance flexibility, cultivate inner peace, or embark on a journey of self-discovery, there exists a path within the vast realm of yoga that can guide you towards your aspirations. Join us as we embark on a journey through the rich tapestry of yoga, where ancient wisdom meets modern lifestyles, offering a plethora of paths towards holistic well-being.

1. Types of Yoga By Dr M P Dogra

2. Main Paths of Yoga Gyana Yoga is the philosophical path. The focus of this path is to gain the ability to distinguish between reality and unreality. To attain Self-Knowledge through study, practice and experience. Karma Yoga is the path of action. It deals with the law of cause and effect. Each action has a corresponding reaction, on one’s body, mind and consciousness. The outcome of an action is dependent upon its ethical value and the intention with which it was carried out. Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion and love for God and for the whole of creation - animals, as well as humans, and all of nature. Raja Yoga is also known as the “Royal Path of Yoga” or the “Eight Step Path”. It is the path of self-discipline and contains, amongst other things, those Yoga techniques that are familiar to us such as Asanas , Pranayama , Meditation and Kriyas. Hath Yoga Hatha yoga is the science of harmonizing Pingala and Ida; or the solar and lunar energies within us so as to prod our higher consciousness to life. It is the science of activating the third, central nadi - Sushumna - which is the path to enlightenment.  Hatha  also means being adamant, making an effort.

3. Jnana Yoga

4. Path of Knowledge. Jnana Yoga is the process of converting intellectual knowledge into practical wisdom Experiencing knowledge . Jnana is Sanskrit for “knowledge or wisdom” and Jnana Yoga is the path of attaining knowledge of the true nature of reality through the practice of  meditation , self-inquiry, and contemplation. Jnana Yoga can be defined as the “awareness of absolute consciousness,” and is a comprehensive practice of self-study ( Svadhyaya ). The fundamental goal of Jnana yoga is to become  liberated from the illusionary world of maya  (self-limiting thoughts and perceptions) and to achieve the union of the inner Self (Atman) with the oneness of all life (Brahman).  Jnana Yoga

5. The Four Pillars of Knowledge  ( sadhana chatushtaya ) Viveka intellectual effort to distinguish between the real and the unreal, the permanent and the temporary, and the Self and not-Self. Vairagya   (dispassion, detachment) is cultivating non-attachment or indifference toward the temporal objects of worldly possessions and the ego-mind.  Shatsampat   Six mental practices to stabilize the mind and emotions. Mumukshutva an intense and passionate desire for achieving liberation from suffering.

6. Shama  Controlling Mind, Calmness of Mind. D ama  (restraint, control) is the strengthening of the mind to be able to resist the control of the senses, and the training of the senses to be used only as instruments of the mind. • Uparati  (withdrawal, renunciation) is the abandonment of all activities that are not one’s  Dharma  (Duty). A simple lifestyle is followed that contains no worldly distractions from the spiritual path. • Titiksha  (endurance, forbearance) is the tolerance of external non-conducive situations that are commonly considered to produce suffering, especially in extreme opposite states (success and failure, hot and cold, pleasure and pain). • Shraddha  (faith, trust) is a sense of certainty and belief in one’s guru (teacher), the scriptures and the yogic path. • Samadhana  (focus, concentration) is the complete one- pointedness of the mind. Shatsampat  (six virtues)

7. Three core practices of Jnana Yoga Sravana hearing or experiencing Vedantic philosophy through a guru or spiritual teacher, thereby achieving a deep understanding of the concepts of atman and Brahman and the philosophy of non-dualism. Manana thinking and reflecting on the teachings of non-duality in an attempt to understand their subtleties. Nididhyasana constant and profound meditation Brahman and the inner self in order to experience absolute Truth.

8. Karam Yoga

9. Karma Yoga BG-II—48 – Yogah Karmasu Kaushalam . Karma yoga’s primary goal is to  attain moksha (enlightenment)  through one’s actions and work in the world. One does not need to wish for wisdom in order to practice this yoga. This yoga is a way to help others while lessening  our own suffering and our egoistic tendencies . When practicing Karma Yoga, one’s actions are viewed as a form of prayer or worship to deepen one’s spiritual connection to the Divine or to the oneness of all life.  Karma yoga also has the power to transform your ordinary everyday actions into mighty acts of spiritual connection and mindfulness

10. Three Types of Karam Kriye Man Karam Karam done in day to day life. These Karam goes to chit and becomes sansakar Sanchit Karam Sanchita Karmas are accumulated works. Like Sanskar Prarabdh  ripe or fructuous actions

11. 4 Types of Kriyeman Karma Punya S hukal / Virtuous / Auspicious Paap K rishan , Non Virtuous / Vikarma Mishrit C ombination of Punya and Paap Yogic Saturn is a gas giant and has several rings

12. Bhakti Yoga

13. Derived from the Sanskrit root,  bhaj  meaning "to serve God," Bhakti yoga is a practice of selfless devotion and recognition of the Divine in everything. The intention when practicing Bhakti yoga is to devote one's self to the Divine in everything, thereby realizing the union of  atman  (the individual self) with  Brahman  (universal consciousness). It is motivated by a love of God rather than a fear of negative repercussions or punishment, and the path therefore helps to develop love and acceptance for all beings. BHAKTI YOGA

14. 4 Types of DEVOTEES Artha the distressed Artharthi the seeker of material wealth Jijnasu the inquisitive Jnani the self-realized

15. Shravana Bhakti Kirtan Bhakti Padasevaa Bhakti Archana Bhakti NINE FORMS OF BHAKTI Smarana Bhakt Vandana Bhakti 01 02 03 04 05 06 07 08 09 Dasya Bhakt Sakhya Bhakt Atmanivedana Bhakt

16. Hatha Yoga The word  ‘ha’  means Sun,  ‘ tha ’  means Moon.  Hatha means to balance the Sun and Moon energies in you. Hatha   yoga is the science of harmonizing  Pingala  and  Ida;  or the solar and lunar energies within us so as to prod our higher consciousness to life.  It is the science of activating the third, central  nadi - Sushumna - which is the path to enlightenment. Hatha   also means being adamant, making an effort.

17. Four Parts of Hatha Yoga Chaturanga Yog 03 01 04 02 Mudra 10 Mudras, Bandhas and Kunalini aweking Asanas Description of Asanas and Mitahara Nadanusandhana Exploration into Naad . Anhad and Aahat Pranayama / Kumbhak 8 different types of pranayama and Shatkarmas

18. 15 Classical Asanas Out of 84 Asanas 15 are classical asanas Swastikasana , Gomukhasana , Veerasana , Kurmasana , Kukkutasana , Uttanakoormasana Dhanurasana , Matsyendrasana Paschimottanasana , Mayurasana , Shavasana , Siddhasana , Padmasana , Simhasana Bhadrasana .

19. 8 Pranayama / Kumbhak Surya Bhedan Pranayama Shitali Pranayama Ujjayi Pranayama Sheetkari Pranayama Bhastrika Pranayama Bhramari Pranayama Morcha Pranayama Plavini Pranayama

20. 10 Mudras Maha Mudra Maha Bandha Maha Vedha Khechari Uddiyana Bandha Mula Bandha Jalandhara Bandha Viparita Karani Vijroli Sakti Chalana.

21. Raja Yoga or Ashtang Yoga

22. Raja Yoga The Sanskrit word  raja  means king or royal. It is the King of Yogas . Raja yoga focuses on attaining enlightenment through meditation and energetics . In this form of yoga, the yogi sits in a meditative pose and silences their mind by restraining the wayward thoughts, and eventually enters into a thoughtless state. By working through the mind, the practice of Raja Yoga paves a way to discipline, self-control, concentration, mental peace, and inner joy. The concept of Raja Yoga follows the principles of eight-limb yoga or Ashtanga Yoga that was compiled by Patanjali . By practising the eight-limb yoga, the practitioner can reach the enlightened state of consciousness or  samadhi .

23. Eight limbs  of Raja Yoga: Yamas   (self-control or restraints) –  ahimsa  (non-violence),  satya   (truthfulness)  asteya   (non-stealing),  brahmacharya   (chastity) and  aparigraha   (non-possessiveness). Niyamas   (discipline or observance)  – saucha   (purity),  santosha   (contentment),  tapas  (self-discipline),  svadhyaya   (self-study),  ishvarapranidhana   (devotion or surrender). Asana  (physical poses or exercise) Pranayama   (controlled breathing exercise) Pratyahara   (sense withdrawal from external objects)

24. Eight limbs  of Raja Yoga: Dharana   (concentration) Dhyana   (meditation) Samadhi  (complete realization or super consciousness) This eight-limbed approach is a systematic method to find liberation from all sufferings.

25. The 5 stages of Mind – Chitta Bhumis Kshipta   – the mind is in a scattered state Mudha   – the dull and forgetful state of mind Vikshipta   –  concentrated yet a mildly scattered state of mind Ekagra   – prolonged practice makes the mind one-pointed; focused or meditative state of mind Niruddha   – fully controlled state of mind

26. Be Your Own Doctor