21th Century YOGA
In Western society, yoga has become synonymous with taking classes, doing poses, and sweating.
The physical practice of yoga postures, however, which is known as hatha yoga, is just a small window into the larger world of yoga—it just happens to be the window through which most of us were introduced to it. But what if you aren’t that into physical exercise? You can still love yoga.
In fact, some of the most devoted yogis I know don’t have a hatha yoga practice. In the same way, you don’t have to be devotedly spiritual to enjoy yoga and its benefits.
Yoga can really be customized to your wants, needs and lifestyle, and there’s an entire vast and comprehensive tradition to choose from (not to mention a plethora of styles and classes).
Aside from hatha yoga, there are five other main practices in the yoga tradition—together they are the six branches of yoga. Taken separately or apart (you’ll notice some even overlap), they are considered paths of personal and spiritual development within yoga.
1. Raja Yoga
Raja yoga focuses on meditation and contemplation in order to fully realize the self. Known as the royal (Raja) or king path of yoga, it is based on the eight-limbed path toward self-realization outlined in Patanjali’s Yoga Sutra, and tends to attract the more spiritually devoted practitioners.
2. Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion, emphasizing devotional love for and surrender to God, the Source or the One Creator.
By seeing the Divine in everyone and everywhere, Bhakti yoga cultivates acceptance, tolerance, forgiveness and unconditional love for all beings. Bhakti yoga also involves a lot of chanting and kirtan (call and response) that evokes feelings of love, connection, and bliss.
3. Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is the path of wisdom and knowledge (Jnana), involving a disciplined study of scriptures and constant inquiry into the nature of the self. Any form of study into the nature of the self or the truth of our existence will aid in reaching deeper states of you. Often called the yoga of the mind, Jnana yoga is well suited for the more intellectually inclined.
4. Karma Yoga
Karma yoga is the path of selfless action, the yoga of doing. Selfless service is the heart of karma yoga. Remaining completely detached from the outcome of their actions, Karma yogis are in continual service to the betterment of all beings with no intention of physical gain.
Karma is fundamentally about learning lessons. One learns through positive action that as you help others, so are you helped. It’s a rewarding teaching mechanism in that sense. And one learns through negative action that as one hurts others, so are you hurt, in order to understand the consequences of your actions. Negative karma can be resolved by discharging the soul imprint through forgiveness and understanding. Karmic experiences can be prevented by understanding their core lessons before they are attracted.
5. Mantra Yoga
Mantra yoga is the yoga of sound. Considered sacred utterances, mantras are syllables, words, or phrases representing a particular attribute of the Divine. There are certain seed mantras that resonate with each of the unique energy centers or chakras. One of the most common mantras is ‘OHM’, which resonates with the foundational vibration of our existence. Mantra yoga is the practice of becoming centered through the repetition of mantras.
6. Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga, which most people think yoga to be these days, is the practice of yoga postures, or asanas, using the conscious combination of the breath and body movements to rise to higher states of clarity, groundedness and peace of mind. It sees the body as the primary vehicle for self-actualization and transformation.
7. YOUR UNIQUE PATH
Now that we’ve described 6 different paths of Yoga which you can embark upon, know that your journey in life is absolutely unique to you and will most likely involve many of the aspects mentioned above. For example, you can simply imagine combining certain daily postures, with a mediation and/or contemplation practice, studying certain philosophies you resonate with, while also being compassionately proactive about helping or serving others. A last aspect I would love to mention here is the transformative, satisfying and empowering effects of immersing yourself in any of the arts as a tool for deep levels of remembrance, self-realization and liberation.
Conclusion
The above is a fictional example, but now that you’ve been introduced to the fundamental principles that were regarded in old Yogic traditions to be the most beneficial, expansive and fulfilling, you can now use these principles as foundational bricks to create your personal path towards the deepest spheres of authenticity, fulfillment and bliss.