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February 2nd, 2009

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Former yoga practitioners have likened to a living tree with six branches coming from the trunk, each branch has its own unique function relating to a lifestyle particular. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is one of six darshanas Hindu or Vedic schools and, along with the Bhagvad Gita and Hatha Yoga Pradipika, is a milestone in the history of Yoga. Although brief, the Yoga Sutras are an enormously influential work, so important to the philosophy and practice of yoga today as when written many thousands of years ago.

The six branches of yoga tend to have some things in common and familiarizing himself with the six will certainly help in selecting your own yoga program that incorporates routines that appeal to any of the six branches. Asanas or postures, Pranayama or breath control, these two disciplines, along with meditation and a strict code morality are the foundations of yoga practice.

Hatha Yoga
Introduced in the 15th century by an Indian sage as a preparatory stage of physical purification to allow the body to be fit for the practice of higher meditation as in Raja Yoga, Ha means sun and tha means moon, a reference to the energy channels the body. The fully open energy channels allow the body to become flexible enough to meet the mental discipline of Raja Yoga. In practice, both Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga, interrelated and interdependent. Western practitioners associate yoga with the hatha branch to achieve mental wellbeing and physical.

Raja Yoga
Raja translates as "real" and meditation is central to this branch of yoga, which has eight side branches or limbs in an order that must be followed strictly. We start with Yama meaning ethical standards, Niyama - self discipline, asana - posture, pranayama - breath control, pratyahara - Sensory withdrawal, Dharana - meditation, samadhi - the release or the final ecstasy. Those inclined to introspection or meditation are best suited for Raja Yoga.

Although members of religious orders and spiritual communities devote themselves to this branch of yoga, one has to adopt a monastic lifestyle to gain the benefits of the practice of Raja Yoga.

Karma Yoga
The fundamental principle of Karma Yoga is that what we experience now is created by our past actions, and whether in this life or a previous one. Once we understand this principle, we can ensure that all our present actions help create a future free of negativity and selfishness. To Karma Yoga practice is to lead a life of selfless service to others.

Bhakti Yoga
Bhakti Yoga is the yoga of the heart, a branch of devotion Bhakti is the Sanskrit term meaning selfless love of God and humanity. Bhakti principles are universal and common to many religions. By following the path of Bhakti to learn to channel our emotions, accept and have tolerance for those who cross our path.

Jnana Yoga
This is the branch of knowledge, the yoga of the mind and is both the hardest and most direct of the six branches. It is the yoga of the mind, wisdom, the path of the sage or scholar. Practitioners Jnana Yoga develop their intellects by intensive study, particularly but not exclusively, the tradition of yoga and other spiritual teachings. This is the way most attracts intellectuals to continue the practice of yoga. Within the context of our Western religious traditions, kabbalistic scholars, Jesuit priests, and monks Benedictine epitomize jnana yogis.

Tantra Yoga
Tantra, from the Sanskrit 'to weave' or 'loom', is the branch of yoga practices rituals as a way to experience the divine in all our activities. Probably the most misunderstood of all the yogas, tantra, the branch of sessions, is the way rituals, an in tantric practice, we experience the divine in everything we do. A reverential attitude is therefore cultivated, encouraging a ritualistic approach to life. In essence, tantra is the most esoteric of the six main branches and appeals to yogis who enjoy ceremony and relate to the feminine principle of the cosmos, called Shakti.

In the West, the tantric path of yoga has been associated almost exclusively with sexual activity. It is because of this emphasis on only one aspect of this branch has been misinterpreted and misunderstood by many. It is curious that although tantra has been associated exclusively with sexual ritual, most tantric schools actually recommend a celibate lifestyle. The 'Kama Sutra' an ancient Hindu book of sexual techniques is the best known example of the lack of understanding of the true objectives of tantra yoga.

A discipline that leads to a reverential attitude to even the celebrations almost every day of giving and receiving, of birth and death, of the achievements and failures, and relationships and understanding, this is a way that will appeal to westerners who enjoy active participation in celebrations, church going, clubs and associations and other ceremonies.

Combining the paths
You need not be limited to an expression, but can practice hatha yoga, taking care of your physical body, while cultivating the lifestyle of a Bhakti Yogi, expressing compassion for everyone you know. Sea whatsoever, the avenue of expression of interest is based yoga, probably will be the path of yoga for you.

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Article Source: ArticlesBase.com - Branches or Basics of Yoga