The Many Different Hindu Yoga and Yoga Approaches Practiced Today.

Yoga is a Sanskrit word. It means to unite or union. Yoga unites the mind, body and soul. It is an ancient Indian art form and spiritual in nature. When the GHG decided to research what yoga was all about, it discovered that Yoga was a very beautiful, large, diverse and complex subject. The GHG came across over 40 different types of yoga and yoga approaches being practiced all over the world. Not all the different types of yoga listed below are fully fledged forms of yoga but some aspect of them is still in existence today. Today yoga (no matter whatever form it is practiced in) is recognised as one of the most respected forms of treatment, exercise and healing for the human body.

Abhâva-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of non-being. It is about the yogic practice of immersing into one self without the mantras.

Adhyâtma-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the inner self. This is the yoga of the Upanishads

Agni-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of fire. This yoga causes the awakening of the serpent power (kundalinî-shakti) through the joint action of mind (manas) and life force (prâna)

Ashtânga-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the eight limbs.

Asparsha-Yog

This yoga is the discipline of non contact.

Bhakti-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of love and devotion. 

Buddhi-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the higher mind. 

Dhyâna-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of meditation

Ghatastha-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the body "pot" (ghata).

Guru-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline relative to one's teacher

Hatha-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the force. 

Hiranyagarbha-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of Hiranyagarbha ("Golden Germ"), who is considered the original founder of the Yoga tradition

Japa-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of mantra recitation

Jnâna-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of discriminating wisdom. 

Karma-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of self-transcending action. 

Kaula-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the Kaula school, a Tantric Yoga

Kriyâ-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of ritual, asceticism, study and the worship of the Lord. 

Kundalinî-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the serpent power which is fundamental to the Tantric tradition (including Hatha Yoga)

Lambikâ-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the "hanger," meaning the uvula, which is deliberately stimulated in this yogic approach to increase the flow of "nectar" (amrita) whose external aspect is saliva

Laya-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of absorption or dissolution of the elements prior to their natural dissolution at death

Mahâ-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of greatness. It refers to the combined practice of Mantra Yoga, Laya Yoga, Hatha Yoga, and Râja Yoga

Mantra-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of numinous sounds that help protect the mind. This yoga has been a part of the Yoga tradition ever since Vedic times

Nâda-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the inner sound, a practice closely associated with the original Hatha Yoga

Pancadashânga-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the fifteen limbs (pancadasha-anga)
1) moral discipline (yama)
2) restraint (niyama)
3) renunciation (tyâga)
4) silence (mauna)
5) right place (desha)
6) right time (kâla)
7) posture (âsana)
8) root lock (mûla-bandha)
9) bodily equilibrium (deha-samya)
10) stability of vision (dhrik-sthiti)
11) control of the life force (prâna-samrodha)
12) sensory inhibition (pratyâhâra)
13) concentration (dhâranâ)
14) meditation upon the self (âtma-dhyâna)
15) ecstasy (samâdhi)

Pâshupata-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the Pâshupata sect. 

Pâtanjala-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of Patanjali, better known as Râja Yoga or Yoga Darshana

Pûrna-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of wholeness or integration which is the name of Sri Aurobindo's Yoga

Râja-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of royalty. It is also called Pâtanjala Yoga,  Ashtânga Yoga and RâjaYoga

Samâdhi-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of ecstasy

Sâmkhya-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of insight, which is the name of certain liberation teachings and schools referred to in the Mahâbhârata

Samnyâsa-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of renunciation. 

Samputa-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of sexual congress (maithunâ) in Tantra Yoga

Samrambha-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of hatred. This form of yoga is mentioned in the Vishnu-Purâna. The yogic principle that this yoga is based on says that one becomes what one constantly contemplates, even if it is negative and is based on negative emotions

Saptânga-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the seven limbs (sapta-anga)
1) six purificatory practices (shat-karma)
2) posture (âsana)
3) seal (mudrâ)
4) sensory inhibition (pratyâhâra)
5) breath control (prânâyâma)
6) meditation (dhyâna)
7) ecstasy (samâdhi)

Shadanga-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the six limbs (shad-anga)
1) breath control (prânâyâma)
2) sensory inhibition (pratyâhâra)
3) meditation (dhyâna)
4) concentration (dhâranâ)
5) examination (tarka)
6) ecstasy (samâdhi)

Siddha-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the adepts, a concept found in some of the Tantras

Sparsha-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of contact. This is a Vedantic Yoga and mentioned in the Shiva-Purâna which combines mantra recitation with breath control. 

Tantra-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of the Tantras

Târaka-Yoga

This yoga is a medieval yoga based on light phenomena. This is the discipline of the "deliverer" (târaka).

Yantra-Yoga

This yoga is the discipline of focusing the mind upon geometric representations (yantra) of the cosmos.

The Eight Limbs of Ashtanga Yoga?

According to the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali, one of the ancient texts that is the basis for the philosophy behind yoga, there are eight “limbs” (Ashtanga in Sanskrit) of yoga. Please find below a list of the eight limbs.

1. Yama: This is the limb that houses five ethical guidelines regarding moral behaviour towards others:

• Ahimsa - Non violence
• Satya - Truthfulness
• Asteya - No to stealing
• Brahmacharya - Non lust
• Aparigraha - Non desire

2. Niyama: This is the limb that houses five ethical guidelines regarding moral behaviour towards oneself:

• Saucha - Cleanliness
• Santosa - Contentment
• Tapas - Sustained practice
• Svadhyaya - Self study
• Isvara pranidhana - Surrender to God

3. Asana:
This is the practice of yoga postures.

4. Pranayama:
This is the practice of breathing exercises.

5. Pratyahara:
This is the practice of withdrawal of the senses i.e. the exterior world is not a distraction from the interior world within oneself.

6. Dharana:
This is the practice of concentration i.e. the ability to focus on something uninterrupted by external or internal distractions.

7. Dhyana:
This is the practice of meditation. 

8. Samadhi:
This is the practice of being in bliss i.e. enlightenment.

New Yogas of the twentieth century

There are many forms of yoga (based upon the list above) which have been specifically aimed at a certain market or group of people. Some of them are very interesting.

1) Bikram Yoga (hot yoga)

Bikram yoga was pioneered by Bikram Choudhury. His type of yoga is also called hot yoga.
It is practiced in a 95 to 100 degree room. Humidity is about 40%. This allows the loosening of tight muscles and profuse sweating which is thought to be cleansing.
Bikram yoga is a set series of 26 poses.

2) Iyengar Yoga

This yoga is based on the teachings of the yogi B.K.S Iyengar.
His yoga is mostly concerned with bodily alignment. Iyengar yoga emphasizes holding poses over long periods rather than moving quickly from one pose to the next.  Also Iyengar yoga encourages the use of items such as yoga blankets, blocks and straps in order to bring the body into alignment.

3) Power Yoga

This yoga is a western style of Yoga based on the principals of Ashtanga Yoga. A Power Yoga class may not necessarily stick to the exact sequence of poses like Ashtanga Yoga does, but it does involve practicing a series of poses without stopping and starting.

4) Vinyasa Yoga

Vinyasa yoga is all about breath synchronized movement. It is a fast paced type of Yoga with an emphasis on breathing. A practice typically starts with sun salutations and moves on to more intense stretching. Throughout the practice each pose is balanced with a counter pose.

5) Jivamukti Yoga

Jivamukti Yoga was founded by David Life and Sharon Gannon. They have been teaching their style of yoga in New York City since 1989. This style blends vigorous vinyasa practice with spiritual teachings, chanting and emphasises how to bring yoga's philosophy into one’s daily life.

6) Anusara Yoga

Anusara yoga was founded in 1997 by American yogi John Friend.
Anusara means "flowing with grace".
Anusara headquarters are in The Woodlands, Texas, a suburb of Houston.

7) Integral Yoga

  Integral yoga was founded by Sri Swami Sachidananda. He came to the United States from India in the 1960s. Integral Yoga is a gentlehatha yoga. This yoga includes breathing exercises, chanting, kriyas, and meditation.
Integral Yoga unites the mind, body and spirit. It has been devised so that it gives one a peaceful, healthy, joyful and useful life.
The teachings of this yoga encourages one to find fulfillment in oneself and promote a peaceful existence with others.

8) Shadow Yoga

Shadow Yoga is based upon the ancient Hatha Yoga texts. Shadow yoga works to achieve an unobstructed flow of breath through a combination of positions and rhythmical movements at a more ‘tai chi’ pace than the faster astanga yoga form.

9) Finger Yoga

Finger yoga is essentially Hatha Yoga for the fingers.

A Few Benefits of Yoga

We asked some of our patients who practiced yoga to inform us about what benefits they thought they received by practicing yoga. 

• Yoga regulated many of the body’s systems
• Yoga improved the ability of one to concentrate 
• Yoga improved body posture
• Yoga encouraged clarity
• Yoga encouraged ones sense of inner well-being 
• Yoga improved social skills
• Yoga strengthened the immune system
• Yoga encouraged respiratory efficiency 
• Yoga discouraged the level of cholesterol in the body 
• Yoga encouraged cleansing of the body
• Yoga encouraged better sleep
• Yoga encouraged calmness
• Yoga encouraged greater confidence and a positive mood
• Yoga increased ones awareness of body and movement
• Yoga discouraged depression and anxiety
• Yoga discouraged blood pressure and respiratory rate
• Yoga encouraged more self-acceptance
• Yoga encouraged cardiovascular efficiency 
• Yoga increased ones natural energy level and vitality
• Yoga encouraged greater flexibility, strength and stamina of the body
• Yoga encouraged better balance

Kundalini Yoga For Health

This Kundalini Yoga section has been written by Ms Victoria Chohan 

Yoga is a complete science of life that originated in India many thousands of years ago. It is the oldest system of personal development in the world encompassing the three fold structure of humankind: the body, mind and spirit. The ancient yogis had a profound understanding of humankind’s essential nature and what we need in order to live in harmony with our environment and ourselves. They perceived the body as the vehicle, the mind as the driver and the soul as the true identity. Action, emotion and intelligence are the three forces that pull the body. To achieve harmony, these three forces must be in balance. Kundalini Yoga system delivers this balance leading to a sense of well being.

The word yoga originates from the Sanskrit root word “jugit”, which literally means “union”. The underlying purpose of all forms of yoga is to reunite all three aspects of ourselves, to join with the Infinite Self. Union with this Infinite Self (God) or “pure consciousness” liberates the spirit from all sense of separation.

Kundalini yoga is a hidden pathway, a secret technology which enables the individual to reach the ultimate potential. This is a technique that has the ability to elevate, inspire and awaken the individual to their own greatness, which is ultimately within every one of us.

Kundalini Yoga can be compared to a diamond and is the only form inclusive of all the three aspects (mind, body and spirit). There are 22 other forms of yoga, each one expressing a facet of this diamond. As already mentioned, it is the most inclusive of all yogic practises and it includes all aspects of yoga within the teachings. Within the practise there are 8.4 million kriyas (completed sequences). These kriyas are made of asanas (yogic postures), pranayama (breathing exercises), mantra (chanting), mudras(hand gestures), bandhs(body locks) and meditation.

The kriyas are a blend of static and dynamic asanas that deliver a perfect sequence of energy, tones and feelings played upon the instrument of the body. In the ancient scriptures it is well known that Kundalini Yoga is the fastest way to transform an individual.

Kundalini yoga is a legacy and is practised as an exact science. It is referred to as the “yoga of awareness”. Awareness leads to understanding and understanding to acceptance. When you accept yourself, all your limitations are replaced with abundance. There is only one way to practise Kundalini Yoga – it is very specific and cannot be altered in any way. It is a sacred technology which is direct, powerful and simple. The results are phenomenal as can be seen by the transformations of those who practise this sacred art

It is important to understand that Kundalini Yoga is concerned with preparing the body for the kundalini energy to rise up through the Sushmana (the energetic spinal column). The scientific aspect of Kundalini Yoga is designed to provide you with the experience of your highest consciousness through the raising of your kundalini. Kundalini is your latent spiritual potential. Through the practise of Kundalini Yoga, this psychic nerve centre is awakened; its revelation is the release of your true potential. For this energy to awaken safely, body and mind need to be strong and able to deal with this very powerful change in consciousness. The practise of Kundalini Yoga is the powerful cleansing of the whole being. Not only does the body and mind need to be cleansed but also the energetic aspects of ourselves. The chakras (energy centres) and meridians (energy pathways) need to be unblocked and activated to allow this new influx of dynamic energy to flow freely throughout the whole being.

Kundalini and chakra work are closely linked. The kundalini energy can be depicted as a serpent, coiled in three and half turns, sleeping in the Muladhara (Base or Root chakra), the densest of all the chakras. Please note that the serpent representation is figuratively speaking and is the blueprint for full human potential.

Kundalini is known as the spiritual nerve, seated in the base of the spine, waiting to be awakened through the practise. The energy once activated starts to travel from the Muladhara (root chakra) upwards through the Sushmana, working through blockages and piercing the chakras along the way until it reaches the Crown, where full enlightenment is attained

The general pattern of a kundalini kriya is to awaken and build the Pranic energy. This is then guided to the relevant areas by the physical body dependent upon the kriya you are practising.There are 8.4 million kriyas all designed to deal with the day-to-day challenges. For example, there are kriyas covering all areas - physical, mental and emotional.

Meditation is also a very important part of the practise. This allows the body and mind to process the journey of the kriya. The energy has travelled along a certain pathway, awakening, dispelling and moving your energetic bodies. Through the process of meditation you will become Master of your mind.

How Does kundalini Yoga Work?
This amazing technology, the most inclusive of all yogas, works around 16 times faster and deeper than ordinary yogas. You can feel the results in as little as 5 to 11 minutes. You don't even need previous experience in yoga or related disciplines!

Kundalini Yoga is a non-stressful way to promote flexibility, cardiovascular capability, weight and stress management, AND to cultivate energy, serenity, personal power and spiritual awakening. Its dynamic blend of breathing, movement, stretching, meditation, mantras and relaxation will enable you to look great, feel great, relax, enjoy life and live in grace and gratitude.

It works safely on every aspect of your body, mind, emotions and spirit. Kundalini Yoga facilitates the flow of pranic and spiritual (psychic) energy, in particular along the spinal energy channels and through the chakras.

The increase in your energy levels makes you feel better immediately after practicing just one of these potent exercises.

The practice of Kundalini Yoga combats the maladies of modern living, helping to reduce stress, to remove negativity and to eliminate depression. As you connect to your inner being, your heart will open and you will experience levels of self-love, peace and joy that you have never experienced before.

The benefits of Kundalini Yoga:

• Strengthens the nervous system
• Balances Emotions
• Enlivens sense of awareness
• Increases energy level
• Brings clarity to the mind
• Encourages sense of peace
• Reduces stress
• Increases lung capacity for better breathing
• Strengthens the immune system
• Supports and encourages personal transformation and growth
• Orients consciousness to create happiness and health

The more energy you have, the more alive you feel. The more alive you feel, the happier you are. 'It is our birthright to be happy'.

• Happiness is awakening to new depths of your self that you never knew existed.
• Happiness is participating in your life in ways never before possible.
• Happiness is your personal spiritual awakening. As you touch the power of your soul, something changes forever.

There are no words that can describe the power of Kundalini yoga and how transformative it is:
“Teachers show the door, however, the lock can only be opened by the individual”