The Yoga Systems ara the following: Jnana, Bhakti, Karma, Mantra, Yantra, Laya and Kundalini, Tantric, Hatha, and Raja. Jnana Yoga (The Yoga of Knowledge): Union by knowledge; this is the path of spiritual wisdom and knowledge, in which the intellect penetrates the veils of ignorance that prevent man from seeing his True Self (Atman). The disciplines of this path are those of study and meditation. Jnana Yoga is practical Philosophy/Metaphysics. It is both theory and practice. Jnana Yoga uses the intellect as a tool to understand that our true Self is behind and beyond our mind, and our empirical ego. It is a Quest for the Self by direct inquiry into "who we are." It is, however, a mistake to think that the Source could be found with the intellect alone. For the purpose of Self-discovery, Jnana Yoga probes the nature of the Self through the question: Who am I? Through persistent probing, fixing our attention on the source of our Being, we regain our real Self. We remember who we are. The inquiry, as the result of practising Jnana Yoga, leads us towards clear Awareness by removing our attention from that which we are not. Along with Bhakti Yoga (Devotion), Jnana is listed among the best approaches for becoming aware of the eternal Self (God). Shankara and Ramana Maharshi are the classic authorities concerning Jnana Yoga. Like Hatha and Raja Yogis, Jnana Yogis also acknowledge the relationship between breathing and thinking. They found that breathing slows automatically through concentration on the "I-AM."
Bhakti Yoga (Union through Devotion and Love): Union by love and devotion; the favorite Yoga of Indian masses. This is Yoga of strongly-focused love, devotion and worship, at its finest in love of the One. Its disciplines are those of rites and the singing of songs of praise. Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of selfless love, compassion, humility, purity and the desire and serious intention to merge with God. It is nothing else than to follow the 'First Commandment': "to love God with all your heart, mind and soul."The following persons are known as outstanding examples of Bhakti Yogis:• Daya Mata,• Shree Maa, Anandamayi Ma (1896 - 1982), Mother Teresa (1910 - 1997),• Ma Yoga Shakti,• Mata Amritanandamayi (Ammachi)
Karma Yoga (Self-less work for our fellow neighbour). Union by action and service; this is the path of selfless action and service, without of the fruits of action. Karma is the total sum of all our actions (mental and physical), in this life and before. Karma Yoga is the yoga of Service or self-transcending Action, whereby the yogi directs all actions towards God. By serving God and humanity (without selfishness, egoism, and attachment) the heart becomes pure, the ego fades and, over time, or even over many lifetimes, one becomes increasingly in tune and unified with God. Enlightenment (Samadhi, nirvana, union with God) is naturally realized through Karma yoga.
Mantra Yoga (Union by voice and sound). The practice of Mantra Yoga influences consciousness through repeating certain syllables, words or phrases. A form of Mantra Yoga is the Transcendental Meditation, which is widely practiced in the West. Rhytmic repetition of mantras is called japa. Mantra Yoga Is the Yoga of repeating mantras. Mantras are words or prayers that are composed of psychically potent sound syllables that influence the human system. Repeating mantras with or without a counting device is known as japa or mantra yoga. Japa is a practice used by aspirants of all religions, Jews, Christians, Hindus, etc. as a powerful tool to control the mind. Silent japa (upanshu japa) is supposed to be more powerful than when said aloud. An easy way to exercise silent japa is to perform it aloud for a period of time so that the ears will hear the mantras and the brain will register it. The aspirant should keep on decreasing the volume of the sound, using bass sounds, and should gradually start doing the mantra yoga silently. The japa method is effective because the cerebral cortex will keep on repeating the mantras for a period of time even after the audible japa has stopped. Mantras can excite the emotions and give suggestions to the mind. Mantras affect both the one who chants them as the one who hears them. The word mantra comes from the Sanskrit "mantrana", which means advice or suggestion. In a sense, every word is a mantra. In our daily life we use words to get everything done, obtain everything we need. Each mantra or word is a sound pattern that suggests to the mind the meanings inherent in it, and the mind immediately responds. According to Ramana Maharshi, repetition of mantras (japa), with attention directed to the source of the sound, completely engages the mind. This is Tapas (penance). The source is not in the vocal chords alone, but also the idea of the sound is in the mind, whose source is self. Thus the practice of mantra repetition is more than a suggestion, a bit of advice or an idea. It is a means of getting in touch with our self. Mantras may be used for religious worship, for japa (repetition), for healing, to help spiritual evolution, for purification, for making offerings and in Mantra Yoga. Some mantras are only chants or expressions of nearness to the Divine. But some saints who were inspired by divine love and unshakable faith used these mantras in their own spiritual practice and their followers afterwards started using those mantras, calling them mahamantras or great mantras. Primarily it is faith which creates the effect of mantras. Melody, intonation, pronunciation, whether silently or aloud, all are important in the recitation of mantras. Moreover, the beat cycle in which mantras are recited is important, but it changes according to the state of consciousness of the one who is chanting. An increase in the speed of chanting increases the speed of mind, heartbeat and respiration. The beat cycle of the mantras affects the emotions. A fast speed sometimes creates a continuous vibration and when it is done in groups it creates a good effect, because the mind works in synchronization with the beat cycle and has no time to fantasize. Fast chanting of mantras exhausts the mind, heart and breath and relaxation comes after the chanting is over. Slowing the beat cycle of mantras also creates the same continuous vibration, but it slows down the speed of mind, heart and breath while the chanting is going on. It induces a hypnagogic state, but it is good only when the chanting of mantras is done individually. A medium-speed beat cycle is good for group and individual chanting of mantras. It does not disturb the heartbeat or breathing pattern and makes the mind more awake, alert and conscious. The place from which the sound emanates influences its' tonal quality. Deep tones are produced by the vocal chords in conjunction with the abdominal region, middletones in conjunction with the chest, heart and throat regions and high-pitched tones in conjunction with the upper region of the body. Indian classical music uses all three regions in a gradual order, but the middle region is used most and produces a greater emotional impact on the listeners. Following are one of the main mantras used in Mantra Yoga: OM, OM MANI PADME HUM, AUM AING HRING KLEENG CHAMUNDAYE VICHCHEY AUM.
Yantra Yoga: Union by vision and form; Yantra Yoga employs sight and form. The visualization may be with the inner eye. A yantra is a design with power to influence consciousness; it can be an objective picture, an inner visualization, or the design of a temple.
Laya and Kundalini Yoga: Union by arousal of latent psychic nerve-force. These combine many of the techniques of Hatha Yoga, especially prolonged breath suspension and a stable posture, with intense meditative concentration, so as to awaken the psychic nerve-force latent in the body, symbolized as serpent power (Kundalini), which is coiled below the base of the spine. The force is taken up the spine, passing through several power centers (chakras), until it reaches a chakra in the crown of the head, when intuitive enlightenment (Samadhi) is triggered. The disciplines are severe, best practiced with a teacher.
Tantric Yoga: Union by harnessing sexual energy; ‘tantric’ is applied to distinguish physiological systems. The control of the sexual energies has a prominent part, and the union of male and female has a ritualistic role. Tantric Yoga of all the yogas guards its teachings and techniques most closely.
Raja Yoga / Radja Yoga (Union by Mental Mastery). Raja Yoga means royal and is sometimes called the crown of Hatha Yoga. Raja adds concentration after body and mind are cleaned and trained to stay calm and attentive. Raja Yoga works upon the mind, refining and perfecting it, and through the mind upon the body. It’s the Yoga of consciousness, the highest form of Yoga. The improvement in our power of concentration, as a result of Raja Yoga, moves all of our attention towards the source of our Being in order to become that Being. Raja Yoga is a complete system, also refered to as Ashtanga Yoga because of the eight (ashta) limbs (anga) the system rests on. The Eight Limbs (Ashta-anga) are: 1. Restraints (yamas: harmlessness, truthfulness, non-stealing, control of senses); 2. Disciplines (niyamas: cleanliness, purification of body, mind and nervous system, study of metaphysical principles, contemplation on God); 3. Postures (asanas); 4. Control of breathing and life-currents (pranayama); 5. Turning the attention within (pratyahara); 6. Concentration (dharana); 7. Meditation (dhyana: prolonged periods of perfect concentration and contemplation); 8. Holy Trance (Samadhi)
Hatha Yoga (Union by bodily mastery, principally of breath): Central to all Hatha Yoga disciplines is the regulation of breath, the harmonizing of its positive (sun) and negative (moon) or male and female currents. Hatha Yoga is the most widely practiced in the West, and its best-known feature is posturing. Hatha has practical benefits to the health of the nervous system, glands, and vital organs. It’s a purifying preparation for Raja Yoga, which is work upon consciousness itself. Hatha Yoga is the most practical of yogas, works upon the body, purifying it, and through the body upon the mind. It’s the Yoga of physical well-being. Ha and tha, sun and moon, refer to the two opposite currents that regulate all processes in our body. There is nothing mysterious about it because anything in our universe exists because of a positive and negative charge. Hatha Yoga, Raja Yoga, and Kriya Yoga are specifically dealing with the intention of gaining control over the flow of these life-currents. Hatha Yoga is known for the asanas or postures. It is thought that by perfecting the body, creating a healthy physical condition, and raising Kundalini (dormant energy) upwards along the spine, the body becomes better prepared for yogic awakening. The first effects felt are usually improved health and strengthened nervous system. Some Hatha Yogis may even demonstrate control over internal organs, blood flow, and breathing. The ability of some Yogis to even stop the breathing and heart beat completely for a period of time has been demonstrated under laboratory settings. Traditional Hatha Yoga consists of: 1. Asanas (postures); 2. Shat Karmas (six cleansing techniques, also known as Shat Kriyas);3. Pranayama (control of breathing with retention); 4. Bandhas (locks) and Mudras (seals) for the regulation of Prana (life-force) and Kundalini; and 5. Samadhi (Union with God, realization of the Self, ecstasy, nirvana).
