Types of Yoga

There are 6 types of yoga:

1) Hatha Yoga (Yoga of Postures)
2) Bhakti Yoga (Yoga of Devotion)
3) Raja Yoga (Yoga of Self-Control)
4) Jnana Yoga (Yoga of the Mind)
5) Karma Yoga (Yoga of Service)
6) Tantra Yoga ( Yoga of Rituals)


Hatha Yoga
--most popular type of yoga in the West
--uses physical poses (Asana), breathing techniques (pranayama) and meditation to achieve better health, as well as spirituality
--this type yoga is suitable chosen by someone who need a peaceful mind and a healthy body

Bhakti Yoga
--generally encompasses chanting, reading of scriptures and worship practices
--teaches a person to have devotion to the “one” or to Brahma by developing a person’s love and acceptance for all thing

Raja Yoga
--means “royal”
--considered to be the king of yoga
--most of its practitioners are members of religious and spiritual order
--teaching of the Eight Limbs of Yoga found in the toga sutras
--sees the self as central, respect to oneself and all creation
--achieve self0respect by first learning to be masters of themselves
--this type of yoga is the best choice for someone who wish to learn discipline

Jnana yoga
--basically deals with the mind, focuses on man’s intelligence
--consider wisdom and intellect as important and aim to unify the two to surpass limitation

Karma yoga
--believed that present situation is based on past actions
--by doing selfless service then the future is free from negativity and selfishness
Karma Yogis change their attitude towards the good and in the process, change their souls which lead to a change in their destiny
--emphasizes spiritual practice to help the individual unify body, mind and heart though certain practices in one’s daily life and work

Tantra yoga
--using rituals to experience what is sacred
--sex is a part but not the whole since this path aims to find what is sacred in everything we do
--must possess certain qualities like purity, humidity, devotion, dedication to his Guru, cosmic love and truthfulness among other things