This is the yoga that focuses on how to concentrate and quieten the mind, to reach transcendental peace. It is also used as the general term for meditation. It encourages you to notice the intricate changes in mental processes, in order to gain mastery over them. Some yoga teachers insist that anyone who contemplates raja yoga, should first attain the focus to control the body, its actions and emotions through the other yoga disciplines (karma, bhakti and hatha). Other state that raja and hatha yoga are the foundations to build upon.
This type of yoga is based upon knowing the truth....and answering the question "Who am I ?". This is the yoga of knowlwdge. Its focus and aim is to completely identify with the divine source - the divine source not being something outside of yourself, but that which is the mysterious and intelligent life force that defines creation. This path is followed by using the mind, by turning inwards and enquiring within. Traditionally, it requires long hours of meditation and focused concentration.
Bhakti yoga is based upon devotion. The most important essence of this is an intense and devotional concentration - which eventually leads to awareness, emotional fulfilment and well-being.
Many describe Karma yoga as the yoga based upon action. Essentially, karma is the law of cause and effect. The action that you generate, will produce a result. The word karma is derived from the Sanskrit root kri, which means to do, or to make. The main aim of karma yoga is to live a normal life while freeing ourselves from further karmic ties.....such as desire, personal gain, materialism.....and so on. This is achieved by observing yourself, and noticing the attitudes that are beneath the actions. This awareness will help to show the kind of consequenses that a particular action is creating. As this is realized, detachment from purely personal goals can be experienced - which will lead to the liberation of the endless cycle of cause and effect.
Although there are many different types of yoga around, classically only four branches are described : karma, bhakti, jnana and raja. Some of the other types are hatha, kundalini, tantra, mantra, yantra and laya. There are also combinations of the different types available nowadays.
Patanjali was probably one of the earliest teachers of yoga. The years he lived in are quite speculative - some say he lived 200-300 BC, others say 200AD. The most impotant thing about Patanjali was that compiled a system of YOGA SUTRAS. These were 195 brief aphorisms which covered yogic practice, its spiritual aims, its powers and transformations. Thesedays, many modern masters have evolved, which include BKS Iyengar, Desikachar and others.
Historically, yoga can be traced back to around 2,500 years ago. It has been mentioned by one of the earliest known civilizations that lived in the Indus Valley (the area near the base of the Himalayas). Other references stem from ancient texts such as the Vedas, Upanishads, Ramayan and Mahabharata, and many other religions such as Buddhism.
Mainly, we hope to provide a basic overview of yoga...with some history and philosophy. Yoga can be applied in many ways, and can affect the whole of your life or only a part of it - that is up to you.
