Yoga Paths
Mar 29, 2019 | Written by Leticia Padmasri
Historically, the heritage of Yoga was passed from teacher to student orally. Inevitably, in this process, much was left out, changed, or added! Naturally, as time progressed, many branches emerged representing distinct traditions. So, when we talk about Yoga, we are talking about a multitude of yogic paths and orientations.
Despite the diversity, they all agreed on the need to go beyond the ordinary personality and set self-transcendence as the ultimate goal.
The differences among the classical branches relate more to the way in which self-realization is accomplished and how the transcendental reality is defined.
The Six Major Paths
Out of this context, six major paths of Yoga have gained prominence. They are: Raja Yoga, Hatha Yoga, Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga, and Japa Yoga.
When we begin to study Yoga, depending on our personalities, backgrounds, and life journeys, we will likely be inclined to explore one branch more than the others. Or we may discover that two of the paths really speak loudly to our hearts.
I consider myself a Hatha and Bhakti yogini. No doubt, these are the forms of Yoga that nurture my body, mind, and spirit the most and keep them closely devoted to the Divine. What about you?