Branches Of Yoga
Yoga is a discipline with a history of over two thousandsyears, which is why it has greatly developed over the centuries
resulting in a variety of yoga practices and branches.
Each yoga branch is developed to serve different needs and
purposes, but, as a general rule, they all serve the purpose of
harmonizing and identifying the equilibrium between body and
mind. In what follows, we are going to take a closer look at
different yoga branches.
* If you are interested in increasing your well-being state,
you should direct yourself to the practice of hatha yoga, which
is considered to be one of the primary forms of modern physical
therapy. Apart from meditation, which is the common practice
for all yoga branches, hatha yoga teaches you a series of
important postures (known in yoga terminology under the name of
asanas) and breathing exercises (entitled pranayamas).
* Another common and highly appreciated branch of yoga is the
karma yoga, which promotes the principle according to which
everything that happens to us in our present existence is a
direct consequence of our previous actions. As a result, karma
yoga encourages its practitioners to try to eliminate all the
negativism and the selfishness from their present, in order to
avoid having to deal with them in the future. Actually, karma
yoga should be practiced everyday, including when being at
work, and activities carried out with the precise goal of
helping other people, such as Peace Corps, can be easily
associated with the karma yoga path.
* Another branch of yoga, which, this time, places a great
accent on the meditation, is the raja yoga. Known also under
the name of classical yoga, raja yoga is a more complex form of
training, which is why it typically starts with hatha yoga, in
order to prepare the body for more advanced training stages.
Studies have demonstrated that the persons attracted by this
form of yoga are, as in general, more introspective people,
interested in profound meditation. Moreover, various religious
groups devote themselves to this yoga path, which is close to a
monastic or contemplative lifestyle.
* Jnana yoga is a branch of yoga directed mainly to the
scholars and it implies a development of the intellect through
the study of yoga tradition scripts and texts. It is also known
to be the yoga of the yoga of the heart and wisdom. Although it
is described as the most difficult of all yoga practices, jnana
yoga is also one of the most direct and challenging paths.
* Another popular yoga branch, which promotes and sustains the
idea of devotion, is the bhakti yoga. The main message
transmitted by this yoga path is that there is something divine
in any form of creation. Thus, it is important to tolerate,
accept and respect any forms of life we come in close contact
with.
These are, without any doubt, only a few of the various yoga
branches or paths, but, nevertheless, the important thing is
that anyone can find a yoga practice, which is able to promptly
suit his or her needs of finding the inner equilibrium and
peace.
About The Author: Kirsten Hawkins is a yoga enthusiast and
teacher from Nashville, TN. Visit http://www.onlineyoga411.com/
for more information on all styles of yoga and yoga and
spirituality resources.
posted by Michael Keenan @ 9:31 PM
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