The living science of Yoga has been organised into different paths or approaches over the centuries. Patanjali’s Yoga can be considered as Raja Yoga or Supreme Yoga because almost all other systems of Yoga have their fundamental teachings incorporated in subtle ways in Ashtanga Yoga. Next to Raja Yoga, there is Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga (and Mantra Yoga), Karma Yoga and Hatha Yoga (which is focusing on the physical part).

It is a spiritual practise with questions such as “who am I?”. ‘Jnana’ in Sanskrit means knowledge. Hence, it is also called Yoga of wisdom. The concept of Jnana Yoga is discussed in ancient scriptures such as the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita. It is a strictly non-dualistic path (Advaita Vedanta) that has the aim of self-realisation through the discrimination between the real and unreal. Another quality a Jnana student has, is the aversion towards the unreal.

Moreover, there are six virtues on the path: control of the mind and senses, self-withdrawal, patience, faith, concentration of mind and the intense desire for liberation (Mumukshutva). Since the mind is considered as part of the unreal, one must use the mind to get rid of the mind through reasoning, thinking, etc. The principal techniques of this path are contemplation and meditation.

There are three stages of Jnana Yoga practise. The first one is called ‘Sravana’ and is the preparation of the intellect by listening and absorbing the instructions of an enlightened master. The second stage is called ‘Manana’ and describes the intellectual conclusions one can get by reflection or contemplation involving reasoning and arriving at intellectual convictions. Thirdly, there is ‘Nidhidhyasana’ which is the direct experience which becomes reality by realising the truth through meditation. 

Bhakti Yoga is the Yoga of devotion. It is the unconditional and intense love for God. It emphasises the opening of the heart and mind to the divine love and the union of lover (the Yogi) and the beloved (the Divine). Bhakti Yoga does not tell you where to direct that devotion to or specifies methods by which you should do it. It is left to the devotee’s personal preference. It is often translated into singing and chanting. One does not try to rid oneself of emotions, but seeks to channel and harness the emotions by sublimating them into devotion. A real devotee has no envy, is friend with everybody is not the ‘doer’ (no ego), has acceptance (equal mind) and does selfless service. One develops humility, self-surrender and the feeling of being an instrument in the hands of God. In the Bhagavad Gita, four different types of devotees are described:

‘Kirtan’, the practise of chanting is perhaps the most important technique in Bhakti Yoga. Therefore, Mantra Yoga can be considered as part of Bhakti Yoga.

Mantra Yoga is the Yoga of sound. The word ‘mantra’ derives from ‘man’ which means mind and ‘tra’ which is “to protect”. Therefore, Mantra means to protect the mind. It is a sacred utterance or sound charged with psycho-spiritual power. Yogis use mantras to achieve a deep state of meditation or a higher state of consciousness. The sound of OM or AUM is called the Mahamantra since it is the greatest of all mantras. 

Karma Yoga can be translated to ‘union through action’. The aim is to purify the heart and mind by acting selflessly, without thoughts of personal gain or reward. By detaching ourselfs from the fruits of our actions and offering them to God, we learn to sublimate the ego. According to the Bhagavad Gita “Karma Yoga is the selfless devotion of all inner as well as outer activities as a sacrifice to the Lord of all works, offered to the eternal as Master of all the souls energies and austerities”. There are four major laws of Karma Yoga described in the Bhagavad Gita:

To a karma Yogi, every work done is a form of prayer. The aim is to reach MOKSHA (liberation) through work.

In the 19-century Swami Vivekananda equated Raja Yoga with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. Therefore, Raja Yoga is also called Ashtanga Yoga (8-limbs-path). Raja Yoga means ‘royal’, ‘kingly’ yoga/union. In ancient Sanskrit texts it meant the highest state of Yoga practise. Hence, the practise of Raja Yoga is meditation. 

The word ‘Hatha’ is composed of ‘ha’ which means sun and ‘tha’ which means moon. Therefore, it can be translated as sun and moon Yoga or the Yoga of balance. It can also be translated as wilful Yoga or the Yoga of force. It is more body-oriented compared to Patanjali’s Yoga that lays more stress on the Chitta. The ultimate aim is the self- realisation (Moksha) and the freedom of all sufferings. Hatha Yoga is one of the four main traditions of Tantra Yoga. Thorough practise on tries to awaken the Kundalini (Sushumna Nadi) with controlling the body, mind and spirit. It is starting with the body, preparing the ground for reaching higher states of consciousness and the final goal is the no-mind-state.

Most Hatha Yoga practise traditions start with Shatkriyas (purification/ cleansing techniques), so that the flow of prana is streamlined. Than, one moves on to Asanas that strengthens the body and makes it disease-free. Pranayama practise accompanied by Bhandas then enable the Kundalini to be awakened, finally leading to the state of self- realisation. Mudras or hand gestures help the practitioner to channel the energy in the body.

Bhandas are body locks that are considered as a kind of Mudra. There are three Bhandas: Mula Bhanda is the contraction of perineum (anal lock). Uddiyana Bhanda is the contraction of the abdomen into the rib cage. Jalandhara Bhanda is the tucking of the chin close to the chest. If one practise those three Bands at once during Pranayama, it is called Maha Bhanda (“the great lock”). Mula Bhanda is connected to the Muladhara Chakra and seals the energy from the earth. By activating it stimulates the digestion and endocrine system and helps concentrate. Uddiyana Bhanda means literally “to fly or rise up”. It channelizes the subtle energy upwards within the body and creates a massage effect for the internal organs. It is deeply connected with the element air and the heart Chakra. It improves the function of the adrenal glands. It promotes circulation and improves digestion. The Jalandara Bhanda activates the Vishuddha Chakra, it cleanses the body, removes toxins and improves the thyroid and metabolism functions.

Hatha Yoga aims at balancing the two main energy systems (pranic and mental energy) and aims to conserve the energy as well. Moreover, Hatha Yoga adopts the ‘Middle Path’. There are different, classical scriptures about Hatha Yoga, One of the most popular one is the Hatha Pradipika. An important feature of the text is that Hatha Yoga and Raja Yoga are not considered separate entities, one is of physical and the other one is of  spiritual nature. Both make together an integrated whole, being dependent upon each other for the essence of Yoga to be realised.

Shat Kriyas are the yogic techniques to cleanse the internal organs. ‘Shat’ means six and ‘Kriyas’ means action. It removes the waste materials of our internal organs which are not efficiently expelled normally. The six kinds of Kriyas are: 

The Shat Kriyas also help to maintain balance of the three Doshas. Both Hatha Yoga as well as Ayurveda believe that diseases are caused when there is an Dosha-imbalance. It is also very efficient to overcome diseases such as asthma, food allergies, obesity or migraine. It can improve the movement of PRana into the organs and that of the pranic meridians/ Nadis too.