| Yoga is an esoteric, initially within Hinduism, a system of psychosomatic approaches for achieving stable changed conditions of consciousness, which includes actualization, differentiation and the correction and controlling the somatic, mental status of man.
Yoga is a change in the ontological status of man. Yoga can be applied also for achieving the state of the full physical, psychological and social well-being of man (health).
Yoga is very popular in India, and in the 20th century it became popular in the West and Russia. As of today there are more than 1000 various public entities, popularizing yoga all around the world.
The types of yoga:
- Classical Yoga of Patanjali is the study about achieving control of the consciousness with an aim of fully rupturing with the world of conditionally-limited nature (prakriti) and the perception of oneself as the form of pure consciousness (purusha). This includes 8 practices.
Different techniques of achieving control on the consciousness are described in various ancient texts, and were systematized in the Yoga sutra of Patanjali, who is considered as the founder of classical Yoga.
- Raja Yoga is a term introduced later in order to properly differentiate Patanjali from Hatha yoga. Raja Yoga is sometimes considered as the highest order of Hatha Yoga, that’s why it is called Raja-kinglike.
- Hatha Yoga is the yoga of the balance of live energy (prana), controlling energy streams hidden in the body. This includes the practice of purifying techniques, the asanas, pranayama, mudra and bindhi. Hatha yoga appeared in the 9-10th centuries due to a union of tantric principles (ideas about the circulation of live energy in a man’s body) and the classical yoga practice. Other forms of yoga (Kundalini yoga, Raja yoga, Dhyana yoga, Samadhi yoga and others), are some times considered as higher stages of hatha-yoga.
- Kundalini yoga (Tantra yoga) is the yoga of the mystic energy awakening of Kundalini Shakti for the opening of higher consciousness. Sometimes it is considered as a high stage of Hatha Yoga.
- Mantra yoga uses energy, sound and light vibrations (through visualization) for gaining a spiritual experience.
- Jnani yoga is the yoga of spiritual knowledge and perspicacity; it keeps the goal of perceiving oneself as the transcendental self (atma), and who is a unique existing reality. This is practiced through the rejection of enjoying one’s own deeds, cultivating a desire in ones self to be free, peaceful, have self-control and faith.
- Karma yoga is yoga of action, unattached to the results and performing high-hearted moral deeds.
- Bhakti yoga is yoga of transcendental love and devoted service to a personal form of the Absolute. This yoga is practiced as an emotional ecstatic expression of love to God, and as a rule in Shiva and Vishnu cults.
- Shadanga yoga is a six-step yoga, a system of sidhas and naths, similar to Ashtanga yoga
- Ashtanga yoga has eight (ashta) steps. This comprises of Hatha yoga and Raja yoga.
- Kriya yoga - the founder of this type of yoga is Indian saint Lahiri Mahasai, who lived in the 19th century in Varanasi (Benares). It is considered that these methods have been given to him by the mystical Himalayan saint Babaji, who achieved immortality. The most famous advocate is Paramahansa Yogananda, the author of the book “Autobiography of Yoga" (1946). The main goal is the mystic realization and awakening of Kundalini, methods-pranayama, mudra, bandhi, meditation and hence this yoga can be called one among the branches of traditional Kundalini yoga.
- Laya yoga is a system. The goal of this system is the awakening of “latent” psychological energy in the vegetative nervous system. Laya yoga’s main means is meditation. The targets of concentration are specific words (mantra), geometric figures (yantra) and pictures (dayat).
- Gyana yoga is also known as nirguna-dhyana (meditation without attributes), meditation on Om, pranava-upasana or brahma upasana. By performing selfless service in a period of 20 years, purify your mind and attention. In consequence, purity of mind, then achieved is the ability to distinguish and disavowal. Gain four qualifications (sadhana chatushatya)- Viveka (ability distinguish true and false, vairagya (disavowal), six virtues and mumukshutva (striving to be saved from degeneration).
Sometimes terms ending up with yoga mean one or another practice, not developed as a separate teaching. All types of yoga demand a qualified teacher, who belongs to the traditional line of succession. Independent rambling practice of some yoga, particularly Kundalini yoga will cause a negative effect on the mind and body. Several types of breathing exercises need to be held in specially allocated “pure” places. Not following this rule may lead to negative consequences. |
