Five Paths Of Yoga

There are many different paths of yoga. 

These numerous variations arise from modifications designed to suit the  temperaments and beliefs of everyone, and in a sense we can say that there is a different path of yoga for each individual, for each person has a unique personality. However, our personalities are more notable for their similarities than differences, as we are all composed of a  few basic characteristics such as emotion,  tendency to activity, etc. Because of these common aspects, yoga can be separated into a few paths which cater for each of these facets of personality. 

The many variations of yoga can be broadly classified into five basic groups. These cater for the most prominent aspects of our personality: 

• Karma yoga: the path of activity. 
• Bhakti yoga: the path of devotion. 
• Jnana yoga: the path of enquiry. 
• Raja yoga: the path of introspection. 
• Hatha yoga: the path of balancing the mental, physical and subtle (pranic or bioplasmic) forces of the body

Hatha yoga 

We will deal with this path first because it generally precedes the other forms. In other words, to tread any path of yoga, physical, psychic and mental health is essential and these are the basic aims of hatha yoga. In fact, it is often regarded as the first part of raja yoga, for without the preliminary practice of hatha yoga, raja yoga becomes very difficult, if not impossible. The Hindi word hatha means ‘obstinate’. But the meaning of hatha yoga is not ‘obstinate yoga’, though some people might regard it as being so. The word hatha is composed of two syllables, namely ha and tha. Ha means the ‘sun’ and tha means the ‘moon’. Yoga means communion. Thus hatha yoga means the harmony between the sun and moon aspects of our being.

We introduced you to some of the basic practices of hatha yoga, which can be roughly divided into different groups, as follows: 

• Shatkarmas – Shatkarmas are in the main concerned with cleansing the body. Many diseases are caused by the build-up of toxins within the body. These practices are the first step in eliminating these waste products, and thereby regaining perfect health
• Asanas –  Asanas are the physical postures of yoga.  There is much controversy between the different schools of yoga as to whether asanas are actually a part of hatha yoga, raja yoga, tantra yoga or of all three. 
• Pranayama  –    pranayama is the bridge between asanas and meditation, pranyama is the practice to raise awareness for pranic energy (vital or existential force)
• Mudras and bandhas – Mudras and bandhas are often classified with  hatha yoga. Mudras are special physical positions of the body or parts of the boch  which induce deeper physiological, psychic and mental changes in one’s being. Bandhas are physical locks which perform the same function.
• Karma yoga – This is the yoga of action, the system of attaining awareness through activity. It is performance of our daily work with constant awareness and at the same time without any expectation of reward. It is this living in the present which enables far more effective, efficient and powerful actions. By totally absorbing the self in the work at hand we tend to reduce the power of the ego. This is the essence of karma yoga, and results in less emotional and mental upsets in life. It helps to make the mind more calm and peaceful under any circumstances and more receptive to the practices of yoga. This in itself can lead to meditation. 
• Bhakti yoga – Bhakti yoga is the yoga of devotion. It is the channeling of emotions into devotion, directed towards a guru, deity or suitable object. In this way the emotions are given an outlet, instead of suppressing them or dissipating them in different directions. The bhakta absorbs himself completely in his object of devotion, losing his individuality or ego. Emotional and mental problems disappear, concentration increases and the path to higher awareness and self realization is opened.
• Jnana yoga – Janna Yoga is the path of enquiry. It is not, as so many people say, the path of the intellect. It attempts to transcend the limitations of the intellect or logical faculties of each individual, so how can it possibly be the path of the intellect? Higher awareness can never arise through rational thinking. Jnana yoga is the path towards illuminative knowledge, and this is a logical – neither logical nor illogical. It transcends them both. In this path one enquires about the essence of existence and one’s true nature. Effort, concentration and total absorption in the enquiry are prerequisites for success in this path. Without these attributes, illumination will not take place. By illumination we do not mean stereotyped answers, but intuitive answers which cannot be spoken about. If one can talk about an illumination it usually has not occurred. This is the reason why so many great yogis have refused to talk about their highest experiences. They know it is impossible. 
• Raja yoga – This is the path of introspection. It encompasses many other separate paths of yoga which we will briefly mention. It is the path in which one attempts to explore the different realms of the mind, conscious, subconscious, unconscious and beyond, the purpose is to become increasingly aware of these different aspects of being. Raja yoga progressively attempts to transcend the outer environment of the physical body, and direct the awareness to the inner environment. Each person has consciousness; either it can be directed outwards or it can be directed inwards. Either we can be conscious of the external surroundings or we can be conscious of the inner world. Usually our attention is on outer objects. If perception of the external is cut off, as is attempted in raja yoga, then the consciousness must be directed inwards. It has to go somewhere. When it goes inwards it starts to light up our inner existence and we begin to explore ourselves. We normally see only the surface of the ocean of the mind; we don’t see what is below. If we dive into the depths towards the seabed we would see the deeper aspects of the mind that are normally hidden from us. This is the aim of raja yoga in its many forms.