Yoga is basically divided into eight types. In every type different styles of and paths of yoga are explained. The prominent yoga types are: Hatha yoga, Bhakti yoga, Karma yoga, Jnana yoga, Kundalini yoga, Raja yoga, Purna yoga and Mantra yoga. Although all the yoga styles mentioned above are admired by the followers of yoga but the Kundalini yoga is a type which is most popular in the west.
It is important to note that every type of yoga has its own unique qualities. Some yoga styles play an important role in improving physical health while some are useful in increasing mental ability. Every yoga styles have its own importance, few of the most popular yoga styles are discussed below.
Bhakti yoga
In this type of yoga more emphasis is given on love and devotion. The traditional bhakti yoga does not preach the traditional pranayama, mudra, yogasnas or controlled meditation. Instead of all these, bhakti yoga devotes attention towards loving God, surrender to obey God’s will and love of God towards humanity. Some people create natural temperament to be dedicated and the love of God and believe God as the world. Bhakti yoga reflects the prayers and devotion of a person towards God.
Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is considered as most important type of yoga. It is pretty easy to perform and is extremely popular in the western countries. Hatha yoga is given a position of the base of all types of yoga. The word Hatha is made by joining two words, “Ha” means the “sun” and “tha” means the “moon”. Hatha yoga comes under physical section of the yoga practice. The main emphasis in Hatha yoga is given on pranayama, asanas and dyana (meditation).
Another important side of this yoga is that it concentrates on balancing different types of energies that are flowing within the human body. The positions and postures of Hatha yoga ranges from a simple pranayama to a complex asana. Every posture of Hatha yoga is a real challenge to perform. Different postures of Hatha yoga stimulate different functions of the body such as digestion, circulation, endocrine and nervous systems.
Jnana Yoga
Jnana yoga is another popular type of yoga. This type of yoga generally emphasizes on mind in order to discern the mind. The main goal of Jnana yoga is to make an effort eternally to know, to understand and to explore more and more knowledge. There are eight limbs of Jnana yoga and the other seven limbs are self discipline, detachment, hearing the truth, reflection over the truth, longing of freedom and meditation.
The main aim of this yoga type is to attain the freedom through knowledge and not by ritual beliefs and ceremonies. One gains the knowledge by thorough understanding of self realization, experience and judgment.
