Yoga is made up of many types of disciplines that seek to bring people out of their own, material lives and into a state of harmony with a Supreme Being. Yoga, in most of its forms, is not practiced in any one exact way. The different guidelines of each type of yoga are to achieve the specific goals of that type. Some types exist to help the practitioner seek truth, intelligence or to calm themselves through meditation. Various types of yoga have been changed from their original forms, and others have remained more constant. Yoga may start with a breathing exercise, a pose or with the recitation of a mantra.
Hatha yoga is one type that has remained in vogue in the U.S. due to its easy poses and lulling effect. Hatha is practiced by sitting quietly in a relaxed state before beginning the various poses. The poses are done gently and with grace to avoid any overstretching. Bhakti yoga practitioners seek a deeper sense of love. The overall goal of this yoga type is to create a deeper connection to God. Bhakti yoga is practiced by picturing God nearby. The bhakti practitioner sends love to the Supreme Being and attempts to keep that love flowing constantly.
Karma yoga is an attempt to achieve a state of selflessness. To accomplish this, the practitioner seeks out selfless behavior that does not bestow any reward. Karma yoga practitioners seek to act positively and expect to then have positivity acted upon them. This yoga type is extremely popular in India. Mantra yoga requires repeating a mantra in order to achieve a state of stillness. Once stillness has been achieved, the mantra stops, and the stillness leads to a deep meditative state. Higher consciousness is achieved by the meditative state.
Jnana yoga focuses on the power of the mind and the exploration of knowledge. Jnana uses meditation to achieve enlightenment after thoughts and feelings are left behind. Kundalini yoga seeks to strengthen the connection between the mind and body. Sexuality is one way that kundalini practitioners seek to strengthen the connection. The physical experiences of touch and sexuality are said to bring the mind and body into a clearer connection. Purna yoga was originally the way to gain salvation in this life in order to improve the next. The current focus of purna yoga is on this life and its spirituality. Enlightenment is sought through purna yoga by performing specific poses, meditating and eating a nutritionally sound diet. Spirituality through self love is the goal of purna yoga.
Raja yoga is often called classical yoga. This yoga type is a way of achieving better physical and mental harmony. Creating a peaceful life is the goal, which allows the peace to holistically heal the body. Poses are used to prepare the practitioner for the meditation, but the main focus of this type of yoga is on the mind rather than the body.
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