Yoga is for everybody. Yoga is usually defined as union and comes from the Sanskrit word "yug" or yoke, which means we are irrevocably bound to the Divine, and therefore free. Yoga is for every person regardless of their religion or philosophy. The aim of all yoga is to achieve truth - truth of the self, the soul, and God/Supreme Spirit. Yoga allows all people to find their own truth in their lives and in their religion. Through the practice of yoga we transcend the senses in order to find our truth. If we learn how to quiet the mind and intellect we connect with all that is great, and questions such as "what is the purpose of life? Who am I? etc.." eventually cease to exist.
There is often confusion in people's minds regarding yoga, particularly hatha yoga. Most think hatha yoga is asanas/postures and pranayama/breathwork, but in fact these are only two of the techniques of hatha yoga. Hatha yoga begins with the physical body; it uses asanas and pranayama to gain control of the body and the prana/life force. Once the practitioner gains control of the body and prana, he/she can start to gain control of the mind. In addition to asanas and pranayama, practitioners should be trying to live a life in accordance with the ethical and moral foundation of yoga, while also practicing meditation.
The Branches
There are four main branches of yoga; Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Raja Yoga and Jnana Yoga. Each branch is simply a different path towards the same goal - attainment of truth. A yogi(ni) on a Karma Yoga path dedicates all work as an offering to God, without thought of personal reward. Bhakti Yoga is the devotional approach of yoga or the approach of true love. Raja Yoga is a scientific approach to yoga and is the most well-known approach in the United States . Raja Yoga has sub-paths - Hatha Yoga and Kundalini Yoga - where the prana or life force is mastered first and then the mind comes automatically under control. Jnana Yoga is the most difficult path; it's the intellectual approach to spiritual evolution. In Jnana Yoga the mind is used to examine its own nature.
Raja Yoga
The following is the Raja Yoga (Hatha and Kundalini Yoga) path, which has an eight limb systematic approach. The yamas and niyamas help us form high moral character. Together they uplift and purify the mind and prepare us for meditation through asanas, pranayama, pratyahara, dharana, dhyana and samadhi.
Yamas
- these are restraints or things we strive to not do-
Ahimsa
- non-violenceSatya
- truthfulnessBrahmacharya
- to remain connected to the source by not squandering your energyAsteya
- non-stealing, non-covetednessAparigraha
- non-accepting of gifts or bribes
Niyama
- these are observances or things we strive to do-
Saucha
- puritySantosha
- contentmentTapas
- austeritySwadhyaya
- study of any religious scriptureIshwara-pranidhana
- surrender of the ego
Asana
- steady poses for a healthy, strong systemPranayama
- control of your vital energy. Using your breath you purify your energy tubes or nadisPratyahara
- withdrawal of the senses from objectsDharana
- concentration of and external object or an internal idea, in order to exclude all other thoughtsDhyana
- meditation or an unbroken flow of thought towards GodSamadhi
- super-conscious state, beyond the mind
You can see the asanas (postures) and pranayama are only two of the techniques of hatha yoga. Hatha yoga begins with the physical body, and then tries to control the prana (life force) and then comes the control of the mind. The practice of asanas and pranayama is the first step towards inner freedom for many individuals.