Types Of Yoga

Yoga is an ancient science perfected by great sages of India.  The different styles of yoga cater to the different requirements of people though the ultimate aim is self-realization together with healthy body and mind.   These styles are –

Gyan Yoga – Those who seek wisdom and insight follow this style.

Karma Yoga – Action and selfless service for the good of others.

Bhakti Yoga – A complete devotional path

Raj Yoga – Those who want to control mind, they follow this style. The methods are practicing postures and following breathing technique. The emphasis is on psycho-spiritual growth.

Hatha Yoga - The asanas or body poses and breathing technique also come under the purview of Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga has psycho-physiological approach.  Hatha Yoga and Raj Yoga complement each other.  The focus is having a perfect balance between body and mind.  The Asanas, body postures revitalize the body, strengthens the nervous system and pranayam maintains balance of forces within the body

Kundalini Yoga – It is a process to be united with divine power. Kundalini is a sleeping serpent coiled in Muladhara at the base of the spine.  When it is aroused with pranayam i.e. breathing exercises and meditation, it flows upwards through sushumna, the hollow channel in the middle, removing all barriers.  One attains a high state of consciousness and develops psychic power and can see what is happening in one’s life. The focus in on attaining self-realisation in true sense – the state of super-consciousness or Samadhi.

Bikram Yoga – Bikram Yoga has been evolved by Bikram Chowdhury.  This is practice of hatha yoga in a hot room and mostly practiced in West.  It consists of 26 postures and 22 breathing exercises.  The focus is on building physical and mental balance, flexibility and stamina. It has been designed scientifically where every muscle and organ of the body gets stretched, blood and oxygen get circulated to all parts of the body.  You feel revitalized and rejuvenated.

Iyenar Yoga – This has been devised by Shri B.K.S. Iyengar – practice of yoga comprising of asanas (body postures), pranayam (breathing exercise) and use of props like belts, blocks and benches.  The focus is on building stamina, flexibility and equilibrium.  This is also a type of Hatha Yoga.

Astanga Yoga – A series of yoga postures are performed in the same sequence.  It is also known as power yoga.  .

Vinyasa Yoga – It is a practice of yoga asanas or body postures with synchronized breathing.

All these variations belong to hatha yoga with similar focus of developing immunity, restoring balance and finding  serenity and peace of mind.