The Six Branches of Yoga
Hatha, Raja, Karma, Bhakti, Jnana and Tantra are the six basic types of Yoga.
Ancient practitioners likened yoga to a living tree with six branches coming from the trunk, each branch having its own unique function that relates to a particular lifestyle.
Those taking up yoga should be familiar with these six styles or branches of the art so that they can practice whichever one or more they believe can suit them best.
Branches will tend to have some aspects in common so it is best to familiarize yourself with all six and then select your own yoga program incorporating routines that appeal from any of the branches.
Asanas are postures, and Pranayama is breath control, these two disciplines together with meditation and a strict moral code are the fundamentals of the practice of yoga.
Hatha Yoga
Introduced in the 15th century by an Indian sage as a preparatory stage of physical purification to enable the body to be fit for the practice of higher meditation as in Raja yoga.
Ha meaning sun and tha meaning moon is a reference to the energy channels of the body.
When these energy channels are fully opened the body becomes supple enough to attain the mental disciplines of raja yoga.
Western practitioners associate yoga with the hatha branch to attain mental and physical wellbeing.
Raja Yoga
Raja translates as ´royal´ and meditation is central to this branch.
Imagine this branch to have eight side branches or limbs in an order that must be strictly followed.
Starting with yama to mean ethical standards, niyama – self discipline, asana – posture, pranayama – breathing control, pratyahara – sensory withdrawal, dharana – meditation, samadhi – ecstasy or final liberation.
People who tend to be introspective and inclined to meditation are suited to Raja yoga.
Members of religious orders and spiritual communities devote themselves to this yoga branch. It is not necessary to embrace a monastic lifestyle or similar to gain from the benefits of practicing this branch of yoga.
Karma Yoga
Chambers dictionary describes ´karma´ as ‘the theory of inevitable consequences’ ‘the results of the actions of a life’.
The fundamental principle of karma yoga is that what we experience now is created by our past actions.
As we come to understand this principal then all our present actions should lead to creating a future free of negativity and selfishness.
Karma yoga is the branch that none of us can escape, it is our everyday lives and all of us are serving in one form or the other throughout our existence.
It is our Karma or fate that is being dictated by our past activities.
To practice karma yoga is to lead a life of selfless service to others.
This could for example be by taking up charity work, helping out with the care of the mentally handicapped or comforting the victims of crime.
Bhakti Yoga
This is the branch of devotion.
Bhakti is the Sanskrit term for the selfless love of God and mankind in whatever form that appeals to the devotee, irrespective of their religion.
The principles of Bhakti are universal and common to many world religions.
By following the path of Bhakti we will learn to channel our emotions, accept and have tolerance for all those that cross our path.
Accomplished Bhakti practitioners show their devotion to the path in all their thoughts words and actions.
Jnana Yoga
This is the branch of knowledge, the yoga of the mind.
It is both the most difficult and the most direct of the six branches.
The practitioners of Jnana Yoga develop their intellects by intensive study, particularly but not confined to, the yoga tradition and other spiritual teachings.
This is the path that most appeals to the intellectuals pursuing the practice of yoga.
Tantra Yoga
Tantra, from the Sanskrit “ to weave “ or “ loom “, is the branch of yoga that practices ritual as a means of experiencing the divine in all our activities.
In the West the tantric path of yoga has become associated almost entirely with sexual activity.
It is because of this emphasis on only one aspect of this branch that it has become misinterpreted and misunderstood by so many.
The “Kama Sutra” an ancient Hindu book of sexual techniques is the best known example of the lack of understanding of the true objectives of tantra yoga.
The discipline of tantra yoga is the ritualistic approach to life that leads to a reverential attitude to even the most every day celebrations of giving and receiving, of birth and death, of achievements and of failure, and of relationships and understanding.
In this context sexual relationships and consummation play their part in the practice of ritual and a reverential attitude but is of no greater significance than other aspects, including the leading of a celibate life.
This is a path that will appeal to westerners who enjoy being actively involved in celebrations, church going, clubs and associations and other types of ceremonies.
 |
The Power of Hatha Yoga: Ultimate Series |
 |
Jnana Yoga |
 |
A Systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya |
