What is Yoga: Definition of yoga and six branches of yoga

What comes to mind when you hear the word Yoga?

Well, if you think of women in poses that seem impossible, then you can get an idea of ​​what yoga is. But it is just that - an idea. You have a long way to go before we fully understand Yoga.

Yoga is an ancient Indian body of knowledge that goes back more than 500 "class =" related_products_container "0 years. The word" yoga "comes from the Sanskrit word" Yuj "which means" to unite or integrate. "Yoga is then the union of his own consciousness of a person and the universal consciousness.

Ancient yogis were convinced that this man is in harmony with itself and its environment, must integrate the body, mind and spirit. For these three to be integrated, emotion, action, and intelligence must be in balance. Yogis formulated a way to achieve and maintain this balance and that is done through exercise, breathing and meditation - the three main Yoga structures.

In yoga, the body is treated with care and respect because it is the maininstrument for work and human growth. Yoga exercises improve circulation, stimulates the abdominal organs, and put pressure on the glandular system of the body, which can usually lead to better health.

Breathing techniques based on the concept that breath is the source of life developed. In Yoga, students gain breathing control as they slowly increase their breathing. By focusing on your breathing, they prepare minds for the next step - meditation.

There is a general misconception that in meditation, the mind has to go blank. It should not be so. In meditation, students bring the activities of the mind to the point resulting in a 'quiet' mind. By designing physical poses and breathing techniques that consciousness of our body, Yoga helps us focus and relieves us from our everyday stress develop.

Six branches of yoga

Yoga Hatha or Yoga postures
Hatha Yoga is perhaps the path of yoga that is most familiar as this is the most popular branch of yoga in the West. This branch of Yoga uses physical postures or asanas, breathing techniques or pranayama and meditation to achieve better health and spirituality. There are many styles within the route - Iyengar, Integral, Ashtanga, Kripalu and Jiva Mukti to name a few.

If you want a peaceful mind and good health to go with the body, Hatha Yoga may just be the way for you.

Bhakti Yoga or yoga of devotion
Bhakti Yoga is the path followed in India. Such is the way of the heart and dedication. Yogis who practice this branch sees the "One" or the Divine in everyone and everything. Bhakti Yoga teaches a person to have devotion to the "One" or Brahma, love and acceptance to develop one person for everything.

Raja Yoga or Yoga of Self-Control
Raja means "royal". This road is considered the king of yoga and this may be due to the fact that most of its practitioners are members of religious and spiritual orders. Raja Yoga is based on the teachings of the Eight Limbs of Yoga found in the Yoga Sutras. 

A Raja Yogi sees the self as central, and as such, respect for oneself and for all creation are essential for this route. Achieving self-respect by learning first to be masters of themselves. If you want to learn discipline, then Raja Yoga would perfectly suit that need.

Jnana Yoga or Yoga of the mind
Jnana Yoga is the path of Yoga that deals mainly with the mind, and as such, focuses on human intelligence. Jnana Yogis consider wisdom and intelligence as important, and they aim to unify the two to surpass limitations. Wishing to gain knowledge, they are open to other philosophies and religions because they believe that the open and rational mind is crucial to know the mind.

Karma Yoga or Yoga of Service
Karma yoga is the path of service in this way, it is estimated that the current situation is based on its past actions. So by doing selfless service now, you choose a future that is free from negativity and selfishness. Karma Yogis change their attitude towards the benefit and in the process, change their souls, which leads to a change in their fate.  

Tantra Yoga or Yoga of Rituals 
Perhaps the most misunderstood of all the paths, Tantra Yoga is about using rituals to experience what is sacred. Although sex is a part of it, sex is not the same thing as this road it is to find what is sacred in everything we do. Tantra Yogis must possess certain qualities like purity, humility, devotion, dedication to his Guru, cosmic love, and truth, among other things.

There are still many misconceptions about yoga, for example, yoga is a religion. Yoga is not a religion. It is rather a set of techniques for us to find spirituality. In fact, yoga is practiced by many people of different religions like Christians, Jews, Buddhists and Muslims.

Another misconception is that yoga is an exercise, a way to keep fit. It is partly true, but if you think that yoga is only then you are mistaken. Yoga develops from a weak body is an obstacle to spiritual growth. It is not just to focus on the physical, but the mental and spiritual aspects.