Yoga and Meditation » Types of Yoga

The Different Styles of Yoga
Yoga, the system of spiritual salvation of ancient Indian yogis developed over many centuries or even thousands of years. This led to some evolutions and changes in yoga. These evolutions resulted in evolution of yoga in many different forms – Mantra yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, Karma Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Raja Yoga etc…

The main four among them are Raja Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga and Jnana Yoga. All the yoga types are interrelated in different forms. Their ultimate goal and practice have marked similarities. Total exclusion of a type of yoga from another type really is not possible.

Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the set of yoga sutra as set by Patanjali the yogi seer. Yoga Sutra by Patanjali has the eight step path to salvation and it is called Astanga Yoga.

Karma Yoga
Karma Yoga puts emphasis on attaining salvation by virtue of selfless actions and duty. Though it sound very simple, this state is very difficult to achieve. The yogi doesn’t remain knowledgeable, but only the result of his duty remains. The yogi can’t expect even a word of appraisal in return of his/her karma.

Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is a means of attaining salvation by virtue of relentless faith on the almighty. The person completely surrenders before his/her God. The sole focus of meditation is on his or her God and the person slowly and completely surrenders before the supreme consciousness. The person will be able to identify himself with his supreme master and this is the state of moksha.

Jnana Yoga
Jnana Yoga is the method of Gods. Jnana means knowledge and Jnana Yoga is the method of attaining salvation through the knowledge of ultimate wisdom on the purpose of man. There is no point in believing, but only realization. The person possesses the knowledge of the secrets of universe and the purpose of human life. The person experience knowledge and self awareness. The person knows the union of mind and soul.

Mantra yoga is attainment of moksha by chanting mantras or enchantments. Kundalini Yoga is the methods of awakening centers of psychic knowledge located in knowledge chakras along the Kundalini (spinal cord). Kriya Yoga is a set of activities designed to awaken the consciousness. Swara Yoga is method to attain union with soul by means of controlling breath.

There are many different types of yoga evolved over many years, which have different forms. Describing all of them are not possible and sometime not appropriate.

Kundalini Yoga and Kundalini Energy Centers
Kundalini yoga is the method of awakening latent powers of super consciousness that are dormant in humans within their sushumna nadi or spinal cord. Kundalini is a form of energy (knowledge and consciousness energy) dormant, which can be awakened by different methods. Moving of Kundalini energy up the energy chakras or special energy centers in the sushumna opens the doors of knowledge and blissful divine experiences.

Though there are different methods of awakening kundalini, Raja Yoga method or meditation method is usually employed in awakening kundalini sakthi or power. This kundalini is compared to a snake coiled and sleeping within mooladhara chakra, the lowest energy center of sushumna, the spinal cord.

When arose, the energy moves up through the different energy centers through the spine to reach the seventh chakra. The conscious effort to awaken kundalini should be practiced only under the guidance of a kundalini yogi. The high spiritual awareness and enlightened state that one achieves by awakening may be beyond the control of the person. There can also be imbalances in the mind and body of the person, which a trainer can identify and appropriately rectify.

Practicing Kundalini yoga is not easy for anyone. People practicing this may be frightened by the experience of sudden energy flow through their body, the smell, touch and sounds they experience with awakening of kundalini. They also may be distracted by the energy flow they get.

Pranayama can be combined to awaken kundalini sakthi. Meditation is another method of awakening kundalini. Some methods of yoga employ harsh techniques to awaken the dormant power, while others just soothe the energy fields so that kundalini can enter the energy channel. Concentrating on kundalini energy field while practicing pranayama in a yoga pose designed for deep meditation can awaken kundalini energy very quickly. The person may or may not be able to handle the energy flow.

Many yogis believe it is not OK to awaken Kundalini without the presence of a teacher, while others frown down the idea and say it is OK to awaken the energy. There are different techniques of awakening kundalini energy. Know that it is serious psychic energy and inability to control the energy may lead to several problems including mental imbalances.

Tantra Yoga
Tantra yoga or Tantric yoga is a combination of different yoga schools – Mantra Yoga, Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga and Laya Yoga – and concentration of all different knowledge – astrology, medicine (Ayurveda), psychology, geometry and every field of knowledge known to man.

Tantra yoga has wrongly been sited as divinity through sexual union, which is far from truth. The pushing of Tantra Yoga and sex together is only a means of ’sales pitch’ and/or ‘personal interests’. Don’t fall to any wrong notions.

Tantra is expansion of life in all forms. Physical, mental and spiritual expansion of the person is the prime goal of Tantra Yoga. The pragmatic guidelines give a practitioner the directions for attaining fullness in all areas of life.Different streams of knowledge are drawn together as a single unit in Tantra Yoga. Tantra yoga seeks to identify the rule that governs cosmic oneness or the connection between microcosm (human) and macrocosm (the universe). The Yogis use different techniques including chanting mantras, learning mind power etc to raise to higher platform to experience divinity up close.

This duality – microcosm and macrocosm – and the duality of opposite polarities were compared to male and female differences. Needless to say the text is written in an equivocal language, which left enough room for personal interests to personify in individual interpretations and translations.In reality, Tantra yoga gave many tools to human kind including meditation techniques, pranayama and asana. A Tantra yogi sees body as temple and uses the powers of body to enlighten mind and spirit. A yogi keeps his focus on divine fulfillment.

The union is between physical body and cosmic oneness.

Tantra Yogis put their undivided attention on God or supreme divinity. In all their actions they see God.A section of the tantra yogis broke apart and touted alcohol and meat consumption as more powerful ways of attaining divinity. Tantra yoga also means to utilize sexual energy, just like all physical energy towards attaining higher status of divinity. Tantra yoga does mean to awaken the male and female aspects within a person as a means of spiritual awakening. Tantra Yoga is knowledge of all human knowledge and expansion of life in all possible spheres to identify the central cosmic revelation. When practicing, practice it with care.