Types of Yoga

As the whole world is changing, even the ancient practices start to be reshaped to modern versions.

Thats is why we have power yoga, aerial yoga, sculpt yoga, doga, yogalates, hot yoga, vin yoga and many more which has nothing than only asanas in common with traditional yoga.

Yoga is not about fancy poses, building muscles, hipnotic trans and gaining some extra unnatural powers. In fact it is in contrary about uncomfortable stuff which people do not want normally face it - discipline, change, sweat, pain, your own shadows, mental effort and challenges.

But as every human is different, every body has different shape, also there are different types of yoga where you can explore your personality as well as the reality of the world itself and find that one which suits you the best.

Asanas are not for external pride and admiration but for internal experiences and different perspective.

Roots of Yoga types

There are 3 main streams which gives base for different types of yoga.

1. Vedic which is one of the oldest forms, where Vedas are seen as the source of knowledge and yoga as the practice of that knowledge, representing two sides of the same truth. It is aiming to unfold human potential for higher awareness and spiritual realization. In essence it is a holistic spiritual discipline that seeks to reconnect individuals with the divine presence within and around them, restoring harmony with universal rythms and facilitating the realization of truth, awareness and bliss.

   
   

   • It integrates Raja Yoga (meditation and mental discipline), Karma Yoga (selfless action), Jnana Yoga (knowledge and self-inquiry) and Bhakti Yoga (devotion). The attention is focused on listening and reflecting on yogic teachings, particularly the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali and provide practical methodologies for transcending the mind. Vedic schools follow Nigama scripts (Shiva - one of the Hindu Gods, asks Devi - his consort and Devi answers).

     
     
     
     

2. Tantra recognized very well for its sexual part which is detrimental for this practice. Tantra in its core is about connecting with your inner energy through experiencing all aspects of existence (material and spiritual) - the fullness of human experience including emotional, physical, mental and spiritual aspects as portals to establish a deeper understanding of yourself and witness transcendence. It is a technique which involves cultivating heightened awareness and presence, dissolving perceived dualities to achieve spiritual liberation through unification of body, mind and spirit. It teaches that everything is energy and that material world can be used for the purpose of spiritual liberation. Therefore all physical yoga is tantric

   • It contains rituals, meditation and specific practices to connect with the cosmic energy. It purpose is to develop internal as well as external practices unlike the Vedic which focus only on internal practices. Tantra is built on the Agamas (Devi asks Shiva and Shiva answers).

   
   
   
   

3. Shakti is a dynamic, flowing style that emphasizes the awekening and balancing feminine energy - Shakti. That energy is considered as a creative, life- giving force in the universe. It contains dance like sequences, flowing movements connected with a breathwork and meditation sometimes even mantras to find integration between mind, body and spirit with emotional release, self expression and spiritual growth. It is energising type of Yoga.

Different styles of Yoga

Bhakti Yoga

Means devotion and love towards your own personal god creating deep relationship through chanting, prayers and ritual worship.

Jnana Yoga

It is a path of spiritual knowledge and wisdom through study, self inquiry and meditation.

Karma Yoga

It teaches that the purification of the mind and achieving spiritual growth can happen through performing an actions without attachement to the outcomes. That selfless servise leads to dissolution of ego and realization of the Self

Raja Yoga

Often called "Royal Path" is a systematic and extensive practise where an eight- limbed path of Ashtanga have place to master your mind, body and soul and achieve self- control, inner peace or ultimately Samadi.

Hatha Yoga

All physical Yoga practices comes from Hatha which is spiritual practise through physical poses- Asanas, breathing techniques- Pranayamas, body cleaning procedures - Shatkarmas and energy regulation techniques - Mudras and Bandhas. It teaches that material world can be used for the purpose of spiritual liberation.

Japa Yoga

It consist repetition of the same mantra either a single syllable (ex. om) or mantric sound (ex. om namah shivaya). The purpose of that is to attune to the cosmic vibrations as a mantra is a sound vibration representing the Divine.

It can be practiced aloud, whispering or in mind. Mental recitation is the most powerful however it can be find hard to keep consistency by beginners.

For that it is used Mala - made of variety materials such as wood, seeds, pearls, stones, bones, ivory etc. The most common are sandalwoods, tulsi seeds, rosewood, lotus seeds and crystal. It contains 108 beads and its held in right hand with the beads draped over the middle finger or the ring finger and the counting is done with thumb. Never touch mala with index finger while changing as it is considered as threatening finger. It is best to held mala at heart level so the beads do not touch the ground due to respect.

Integral Yoga

It is a mix of various yoga paths to transform all aspects of life (physical, emotional, mental and spiritual). Leads to control of your sensess, keeping optimum health and strength with clear mind and sharp intellect and heart full of compassion and love to ulimately fill the life with supreme peace and joy.

The six branches of Yoga stated above create Integral Yoga which purpose is to live harmoniously as part of universal family and to realise spiritual unity behind all diversities in the creation of life with having the ego pure as crystal.

Kundalini Yoga

It is variation of modern Yoga created by a man who was a fraud. The essence of this variation is to liberate the dormant potential energy which is asleep in the base of the spine working on the mental current - Ida and pranic current - Pingala.

Vinyasa Yoga

Dynamic, flowing style that connects breath with coordination of the movements to create a continous flow of poses. It emphasizes presence and mindfullness.

Conclusion

The diversity in styles arises from different philosophical approaches which serves different needs and focuses on different aspects of life.

Modern yoga has developed the world of yoga with much more styles but also shifted the perception of yoga more toward fitness and physical well-being, skipping a lot of its core purpose. So instead of focusing on self realization, it comes down to physical strength only. Instead of total devotion and surrending ito the divine, it brings competition and forcing the body to the limits.

Even if there are many variations of yoga, it all comes from one. The differentiations serves variations in society. For example while Hatha yoga is deeply influenced by Tantra, they are not synonymous. Tantra is a comprehensive spiritual system that includes yoga as one of the components but focuses on integration of spiritual practices into your daily life, cultivating the energy through rituals, serving the divine and initiation very often with a presence of guru in one's life and his specific teachings, which in not necessary required in daily yoga practise.

In summary, modern yoga today (any variations) has it roots in Tantra and Shakti but not all yoga traditions are Tantric. Modern yoga typically teaches the techniques without focusing on spiritual aspects. Even though Yoga is not specific religious related, the spiritual and energetic part of the individual still exist.