Jnana yoga

The word ‘Jnana’ in Sanskrit means ‘knowledge’, ‘insight, or ‘wisdom’. Jnana yoga is one of the types of yoga mentioned in Hindu philosophies. According to ancient Greeks, the word gnosis means a special kind of liberating knowledge or intuition. Actually, both the terms ‘jnana’ and ‘gnosis’ are related through the Indo-European root ‘gno’, which means ‘to know’.

The path of Jnana-Yoga, which has been described as a straight but steep course, is outlined with elegant conciseness by Sadananda in his ‘Vedanta-Sara’, a fifteenth-century manuscript. Sadananda lists four principal means for attaining liberation.

1. Viveka - Discrimination: This is the capability to differentiate between what is real/eternal and what is unreal/ temporal (everything else in the universe.)

2. Vairagya-Dispassion: After practice one should be able to separate her/himself from everything that is temporary.

3. Shad-sampat - The 6 Virtues: Tranquility (control of the mind), Dama (control of the senses), Uparati (renunciation of activities that are not duties), Titiksha (endurance), Shraddha (faith), and Samadhana (perfect concentration).

4. Mumukshutva – the cultivation of the spiritual impulse

Bhakti Yoga

In Hinduism Bhakti Yoga is a term which indicates the spiritual practice of nurturing loving devotion to God, called ‘bhakti’. Traditionally there are nine forms of bhakti-yoga. Bhakti yoga is generally considered the easiest of the four general paths to liberation, or moksha. The other paths include Karma, Raja and Jnana Yoga. In Bhagavata Purana, bhakti is portrayed as a perfection stage in itself which surpasses even moksha as a level of spiritual realization. Hindu movements in which bhakti yoga is the main practice are called bhakti movements.

Bhakti Yoga is the system in which love and devotion are highlighted. Bhakti Yoga traditions do not teach about main aspects of yoga like asana, pranayama, mudra or meditation. Love of God, love of God in man, and surrender to God's will are the major points in Bhakti Yoga approach.

There are no certain ways to execute Bhakti yoga. Some people find that external abets can contribute to a devotional attitude. For instance an altar used during prayer and meditation; using of pictures of Gods to serve as inspiration; chanting or singing of mantras to help in creating a mood as preparation for meditation.

Bikram Yoga

Bikram Yoga is also known as ‘Hot Yoga’ because it is practiced in a hot room between the temperatures of 36-37 degrees Celsius/ 95-100 degrees Fahrenheit. The heat produced is said to encourage purification of toxins through perspiration and loosens up the muscles. Hot Yoga comprises a set of 26 poses done repeatedly. The various styles of yoga consequently present various challenges. Whichever form of Yoga you opt for, it depends on how much you wish to confront yourself.

Iyengar Yoga

Iyengar Yoga, generated by B.K.S. Iyengar, is a form of yoga known for its use of supports, such as belts and blocks, which helps in performing asanas (postures). It is strongly based on the traditional Astanga yoga as explained by Patanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutras’. The yoga sutras accentuate the development of strength, stamina, flexibility and balance, as well as concentration (Dharana) and meditation (Dhyana). Iyengar has regulated over 200 classical yoga Asanas and 14 different types of Pranayamas from the simple level to the incredibly difficult.

Iyengar Yoga is a form of Hatha Yoga and it focuses on the structural alignment of the physical body through the development of asanas. Through the practice of a system of asanas, it aims to unite the body, mind and spirit for health and well-being. Iyengar founded the use of struts such as cushions, benches, blocks, straps, and even sand bags, which assists in allowing novice to experience asanas more easily.

The regular practice of Iyengar Yoga controls various ailments like chronic backache, immunodeficiency, high blood pressure, insomnia, depression and menopause. The Ramamani Iyengar Memorial Yoga Institute located in Pune, India.

Karma Yoga

Karma yoga also called ‘Buddhi Yoga’ or the "discipline of action" is based on the teachings of Lord Krishna in Bhagavad Gita, a holy Sanskrit scripture of Hinduism. The word ‘Kri’ means 'to do' in Sanskrit and the karma means action, and yoga indicates to union. Therefore ‘Karma yoga’ means ‘the path of union through action’. It is portrayed as a way of acting, thinking and willing by which one acts in accordance with one's duty (dharma).

Karma yoga is one of the four pillars of yoga and hubs on the adherence to task (dharma) while remaining detached from the reward. It utters that one can experience salvation (Moksha) or love (bhakti) of God by executing their duties in a generous manner in order to get the pleasure of the God, which is the welfare of the world. Karma Yoga is an intrinsic part of many derivative types of yoga, such as Natya Yoga.

Karma Yoga is a system which develops immunity to the reactive and negative components of an action. This awareness of action leads to a greater ability to manage mental associations in the form of desires, ambitions, ego and other personality complexes.

The main endeavor of Karma Yoga is to achieve liberty from the repression of karma which restricts and inhibits dynamic, creative and constructive expression in life. In the ‘Bhagavad Gita’ lord Sri Krishna has accentuated the need for action as a means to become truly human and achieve celestial grace. Karma Yoga is a sadhana and not a practice. The state of Karma Yoga can be attained through seva.

Dhyana Yoga

Dhyana Yoga is one of the eight limbs of Astanga Yoga proposed by Sage Patanjali in his ‘Yoga Sutras’. The word ‘dhyai’ comes from Sanskrit, which means “to think of”. A popular form of Dhyana Yoga is the Kundalini Yoga. The Dhyana Yoga system is specifically described by Lord Sri Krishna in chapter 6 of the famous ‘Bhagavad Gita’, wherein he explains the key Yoga systems to his disciple, Arjuna in the battleground of Kurukshetra.

In the Ashtanga Yoga, Dhyana is practiced together with Dharana and Samadhi comprises the Samyama. In Dhyana, the mediator is not conscious of the act of meditation but is only aware that he exists (consciousness of being), and aware of the object of meditation.

There are different forms of Dhyana Yoga. The aim is to withdraw all senses from various objects of interest and focus on one object. Dhyana Yoga produces a state of calm. The main objective Dhyana Yoga is to cleanse the subconscious, develop concentration, clear the mind, and bring about various stages of unified unity with God.

Kundalini Yoga

Kundalini Yoga is a physical and meditative facet of Yoga. It consists of a supple set of Yoga techniques that engages the mind, senses and body in a tender to develop an amalgamation of the body and mind. The main focus of Kundalini Yoga is more on psycho-spiritual growth besides one’s body's ability to mature. At the same time, due consideration is given to the role of the spine and the endocrine system in the realizing Kundalini awakening.

Kundalini is a concerted form of prana or life force, lying inactive in chakras in the body. The word 'kundalini' means awareness and hidden potential of that awareness. The word kund, means ‘to burn’ and kunda means ‘to coil’ or ‘to spiral’. Kundalini Yoga is based on the 7 chakras (psychic centers) in the body. The attempt to release a Yogic power is known as Kundalini Shakti (energy). This power has the ability to spring awake when activated by Yogic disciplines.

Kundalini Yoga is one of the complicated practices. It consists of many physical poses (asanas), expressive movements and incantations, breathing exercises, and practice of meditation.

The main benefit of Kundalini Yoga is obtained from through inner experience. For this reason, Kundalini Yoga is also called Yoga of Awareness as it awakens the inactive Kundalini. This is an infinite potential existing within each and every one of us. Once this unlimited potential energy has been awakened and released in your body it rises up the 7 physical chakras and rouses the higher centers. This gives you greater intuition and mental clarity as well as creative potential.

Kundalini Yoga gives happiness by balancing the glandular system, strengthening the nervous system. It promotes better functioning of our bodily systems, increases our radiance, emotional balance and enhances intuition.