FAQs on Yoga: What are the types of yoga? And how are they different?
There is much confusion over differences between names and schools of yoga. Don’t worry too much about the differences. There are as many types of yoga practices as there are people simply because we are all different and need different paths. There are, after all, many paths to enlightenment. Instead of difference, think about the commonalities: Any practice that helps to unite you, body, mind and spirit, in a state of happiness is yoga. Gardening could be yoga if done in the right spirit! A good practice can be a combination of paths. For example, you keep a regular daily practice of yoga asanas to keep your body in good condition (Hatha Yoga), you study the scriptures to grow in wisdom (Jnana Yoga), you do your prayers in the tradition of your religon with devotion (Bhakti Yoga) and do volunteer work on your weekends in the service of others (Karma Yoga).
The way to select a yoga class is not to be too concerned by the name of the type of yoga but to keep an open mind. On a practical note, attend different classes at different venues conducted by different teachers. Find a class with a kind of practice that you like (suits your temperment and physical health condition), in a convenient location (so that you will find it easy to attend class and not have to create more stress getting to yoga class!), conducted by a teacher that you can relate to (someone whom you feel you can trust). All these factors are important to start off your practice in a good way, ensuring that you continue to be motivated and continue to attend class. When you have practised for a while, you will be able to appreciate the differences and unity between the streams of yoga -- and hopefully, you will be open to trying out the other forms of practice so that you can find your own path to samadhi!
In any case, it is good to understand the meaning behind the common terms we hear in yoga:
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a very disciplined form of yoga focusing on asana and pranayama practice. Hatha is also translated as ha meaning “sun” and tha meaning “moon”. Similar to the Chinese concept of yin and yang, hatha practice develops the body in a way that keeps strength and flexibility as well as effort and relaxation in a good balance. Most of what you see being taught in gyms and yoga studios today is hatha yoga. Usually, hatha teachers will remind students to be mindful of all eight limbs of yoga as a way to transcend the focus on the physical body and to set the proper intention of physical conditioning: the body being ultimately just a vehicle for the mind or consciousness.
Ashtanga Yoga
In a general sense, ashtanga yoga refers to any form of practice along the lines of the 8 limbs from the Yoga Stutras. The confusion over this name arose from it being adopted by a famous modern teacher, Pattabhi Jois to refer to his particular system of yoga practice. According to a Pattabi Jois Ashtanga Yoga teacher, Richard Freeman, Pattabi Jois emphasised the correct performance of asana, the 3rd limb as a means of realising all the limbs. So somtimes, when you encounter an Ashtanga Yoga class at your community centre, this could mean that your teacher is trained under the Pattabi Jois school or that it is a "general" yoga class.
Raja Yoga
Raja means “king”. Raja Yoga is seen as the royal path of yoga. This noble path of practice follows closely the eight-fold path as outlined by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. People who are drawn to meditation and a more instrospective form of practice will find themselves along this path.
Karma Yoga
Karma means "action". All that happens to us is a result of our own past actions. Our future depends on our present actions. Good deeds result in good outcomes, bad deeds in bad. This concept puts our fates in our own hands. Karma yoga focuses on our actions as a means to happiness and unity with all. In Karma Yoga, we pursue happiness through the practice of selfless service to others with no attachment to any rewards from our deeds. If you are doing any volunteer work, you are already keeping a good practice of karma yoga.
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion. Through devotional practices like prayer and chanting (regardless of which spiritual tradition), people with a loving, sensitive nature learn to channel their emotions and to transform all their actions, their mind and their speech into yoga practice. Ultimately, the Bhakti path leads to a realisation of the divine in all beings. The happiness is found in this union with all.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana Yoga is the path of intellect. This is often considered the most difficult path of yoga. Through study of the scriptures and yogic texts, Jnana Yogis develop themselves through intellectual inquiry.
The way to select a yoga class is not to be too concerned by the name of the type of yoga but to keep an open mind. On a practical note, attend different classes at different venues conducted by different teachers. Find a class with a kind of practice that you like (suits your temperment and physical health condition), in a convenient location (so that you will find it easy to attend class and not have to create more stress getting to yoga class!), conducted by a teacher that you can relate to (someone whom you feel you can trust). All these factors are important to start off your practice in a good way, ensuring that you continue to be motivated and continue to attend class. When you have practised for a while, you will be able to appreciate the differences and unity between the streams of yoga -- and hopefully, you will be open to trying out the other forms of practice so that you can find your own path to samadhi!
In any case, it is good to understand the meaning behind the common terms we hear in yoga:
Hatha Yoga
Hatha yoga is a very disciplined form of yoga focusing on asana and pranayama practice. Hatha is also translated as ha meaning “sun” and tha meaning “moon”. Similar to the Chinese concept of yin and yang, hatha practice develops the body in a way that keeps strength and flexibility as well as effort and relaxation in a good balance. Most of what you see being taught in gyms and yoga studios today is hatha yoga. Usually, hatha teachers will remind students to be mindful of all eight limbs of yoga as a way to transcend the focus on the physical body and to set the proper intention of physical conditioning: the body being ultimately just a vehicle for the mind or consciousness.
Ashtanga Yoga
In a general sense, ashtanga yoga refers to any form of practice along the lines of the 8 limbs from the Yoga Stutras. The confusion over this name arose from it being adopted by a famous modern teacher, Pattabhi Jois to refer to his particular system of yoga practice. According to a Pattabi Jois Ashtanga Yoga teacher, Richard Freeman, Pattabi Jois emphasised the correct performance of asana, the 3rd limb as a means of realising all the limbs. So somtimes, when you encounter an Ashtanga Yoga class at your community centre, this could mean that your teacher is trained under the Pattabi Jois school or that it is a "general" yoga class.
Raja Yoga
Raja means “king”. Raja Yoga is seen as the royal path of yoga. This noble path of practice follows closely the eight-fold path as outlined by Patanjali’s Yoga Sutras. People who are drawn to meditation and a more instrospective form of practice will find themselves along this path.
Karma Yoga
Karma means "action". All that happens to us is a result of our own past actions. Our future depends on our present actions. Good deeds result in good outcomes, bad deeds in bad. This concept puts our fates in our own hands. Karma yoga focuses on our actions as a means to happiness and unity with all. In Karma Yoga, we pursue happiness through the practice of selfless service to others with no attachment to any rewards from our deeds. If you are doing any volunteer work, you are already keeping a good practice of karma yoga.
Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti yoga is the path of devotion. Through devotional practices like prayer and chanting (regardless of which spiritual tradition), people with a loving, sensitive nature learn to channel their emotions and to transform all their actions, their mind and their speech into yoga practice. Ultimately, the Bhakti path leads to a realisation of the divine in all beings. The happiness is found in this union with all.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana Yoga is the path of intellect. This is often considered the most difficult path of yoga. Through study of the scriptures and yogic texts, Jnana Yogis develop themselves through intellectual inquiry.
