DIFFERENT TYPES OF YOGA: Bhakti Yoga,Karma Yoga, Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga, Kriya Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Kundalini Yoga, Jnana Yoga, SwaraYoga, Raja Yoga. Ashtanga Yoga (Patanjali's Ashtanga Yoga - Eight Fold Path) The basis of the studies that we have undertaken is dependent on Yogadarshan of Patanjali. We will consider the different aspects of yoga while remaining under the guiding principles of Patanjal Yoga. The asanas, Pranayamas or the dharana which we have studied earlier or the yam and niyam are based on the aphorism of Patanjali.

Hence, we will acquaint ourselves with the fundamentals as stated by Patanjali first. Asana,Niyama,Yamam,Pranayama,Hatha Yoga,Dharana,Dhyan,Samadhi,Pratyahara, The term Hatha Yoga has been commonly used to describe the practice of asana (postures). The syllable 'ha' denotes the pranic (vital) force governing the physical body and 'tha' denotes the chitta (mental) force thus making Hatha Yoga a catalyst to an awakening of the two energies that govern our lives. More correctly the techniques described in Hatha Yoga harmonise and purify the body systems and focus the mind in preparation for more advanced chakra and kundalini practices. Yogasana,Six shatkarmas,Mudras and Bandhas.

Pranayama Bhakti Yoga: Bhakti is a Yoga of devotion or complete faith. This faith is generally in the God or supreme consciousness in any of the forms. It may be Lord Rama, Krishna, Christ, Mohammed, Buddha etc. It may be a Guru for his disciples. Important thing is the person interested in following this path should have very strong emotional bond with the object of faith. The flow of emotional energy is directed to this object. Mostly people suppress their emotions and that often reflects in the form of physical and mental disorders. This Bhakti Yoga releases those suppressed emotions and brings the purification of inner self. Continuous meditation of God or object of faith gradually decrease the ego of the practitioner, which further prevents new distractions, fickleness or even pain and induces strong bonds of love. Slowly the practitioner looses the self identity and becomes one with the object of faith, this is a state of self realization.

Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga is a path of devotion to the work. One looses his identity while working, only selfless work remains. This state is very difficult to achieve. Generally some rewards or incentives or outcome follows the work and one is attached to this reward or incentive. This is not the Karma Yoga. Non-attachment with the work and becoming the perfect instrument of the super consciousness in this manifested universe is the ultimate aim of Karma Yoga. In the initial stages of Karma Yoga, individual possesses strong sense of ego and consciously or unconsciously he is attached to the fruits of his efforts or at least praise or recognition but by continuous involvement in the work and change in mental attitude, one can surely disassociate himself from the ego and his own personality. In this state the work becomes worship to the God, it becomes spiritual, also the individual becomes expert, skilled and Yogi. He achieves stability of mind in all conditions, he is not disturbed or excited or happy in any of the situations. He becomes divine & his actions represent God's will. The essence of Karma Yoga as extracted from 'Bhagvad Gita' says: The world confined in its own activity except when actions are performed as worship of God. Therefore one must perform every action sacramentally and be free of your attachments to the results.