Yoga is a philosophical system that originated in India, and includes physical practice as well as mental discipline. Yoga is designed to aid you in achieving your highest potential as a human being, and to experience a healthy and happy life. With regular practice you can extend and improve the quality of your healthy and happy life.

Even though the spiritual philosophy of yoga originated in India, it is now commonly practiced all the over the world. Yoga is a Sanskrit word which means “to yoke”. This refers to the practice of harnessing the mind and body together in union. In order to achieve this balance between the mind and the body, the practice of yoga incorporates movement, breath, posture, and various meditation techniques.

There are many different forms of the physical practice known as “yoga”, which are derived from the school of Hatha Yoga. Hatha Yoga incorporates static physical postures and breathing exercises known as “pranayama”. Another form of yoga is Karma Yoga which emphasizes the spiritual practices to help you unify your body mind and daily life through certain practices. The other form of yoga is called Bhakthi Yoga. Bhakti Yoga is a devotional form of yoga and generally includes chanting, reading scriptures and doing worship.

Most people have heard of the word yoga as yoga is a very popular practice that is practiced all over the world. The ancient yogis had the believe that in order for somebody to be in harmony with themselves and his environment he have to find a balance between the mind that the body and the spirit with in. Yoga was used to find a balance between those three. The yogis formulated the way to achieve this balance. And this is done through breathing techniques and meditation.

Lets look at the 5 different kinds of yoga.

Hatha yoga
Hatha yoga is a yoga of postures. Probably when you think of yoga you will be thinking of Hatha yoga. Hatha Yoga is the most popular form of yoga in the west. Hatha yoga uses physical postures or Asana and different breathing techniques and meditation. All of this is combined to achieve a better health as well as in understanding of spirituality.

Bhakthi Yoga
Bhakthi yoga is the yoga of devotion. It is yoga for the heart and devotion of the people. The practice over Bhakthi Yoga teaches a person to have devotion for his spiritual being or God and to develop this love and acceptance for all living things.

Raja Yoga
Raja Yoga is the yoga of self control. The word Raja actually means Royal. By using the practice of Raja Yoga one sees oneself as central. It means to respect oneself. To achieve this kind of self respect one has to gain control over oneself and the senses.

Jnana Yoga.
Jnana Yoga is the yoga of the mind. Jana yoga is a kind of yoga that will deal with the mind. It will focus on the persons wisdom and intellect with the aim to unify these two to surpasses limitations in life.

Karma Yoga
Karma yoga is the yoga of service. Karma yoga mainly uses the Law of Karma meaning that the present situation is based on your past actions. So by doing selfless service now you are choosing a future that is free from negativity.