A common question I’m often asked is, “What kind of Yoga do you teach?” A good question, and the first step to understanding how it can fit into your life.
The easiest way to explain it is to divide the subject of yoga into paths and styles. The paths give us choices of how to live our lives to connect with a deeper purpose and meaning. They help us answer the questions “What’s the point?” and “Is this all there is?”
The paths, often called branches, are Karma, Jnana, Bhakti and Raja. Karma Yoga is the Active Path of selfless service that would be practiced by volunteering and serving humanity on a spiritual level. You’d find deeper purpose by giving of yourself without expecting reward. The ultimate role model would be Mother Teresa.
Jnana Yoga is the Philosophical Path, one for the intellectual who explores deeper meaning in life through studying the ancient scriptures. Bhakti Yoga is the Devotional Path, one for the emotional who find deeper meaning with expression through prayer, chanting and church services. Raja Yoga is the Scientific Path, which appeals on a psychological level to finding purpose and balance.
There are eight steps. They cover codes of conduct, steady posture, breath regulation, concentration and meditation. Steps 3 and 4 include asanas and pranayama. Asanas are physical postures and pranayama is breath control. Together they form Hatha Yoga, the kind of yoga practiced in most yoga classes on sticky mats by a certified instructor.
The popular “styles” of yoga are then applied to Hatha, which could be considered “brands” that a teacher learns from where they were trained. They’re usually developed by an experienced yogi who calls it their own name or coins a Sanskrit (Indian) word or phrase that describes the style’s focus.
Popular styles and their focus include Kripalu (emphasizes conscious movement and breathing with a calm and compassionate state of awareness) and Atma (emphasizes core strength and safety). Integrative Yoga Therapy is rehab-oriented. Forrest Yoga is about spirit and strength. Hot Yoga is in a highly heated room intended to sweat toxins from the system. TriYoga is flowing and meditative. Ashtanga is movement from the heart space, a vigorous, fast-paced system of sequential postures.
DIANE UTASKI WILL ANSWER YOGA QUESTIONS in future columns; send questions to diane@cincyoga.com. Find more info at www.cincyoga.com.
This article appears in Dec 17-23, 2003.
