Different types of Yoga

In the last article we discussed the Ayurveda relation of Yoga which in the modern world lost its importance and is reduced to a physical form of exercise just like going to the gym or doing aerobics. While you perform Yoga systematically, it not only brings physical fitness but also mental exercise in concentration. It has also been scientifically proved that while doing Yoga the metabolic rate does not become high, which means it gives you an exercise effect without energy loss, in other words, it conserves energy. Ayurveda defines life:

Sareerendrya sathuwathuma samyoge dhari jeevitham
Nithyag ascha anubandascha pariyayer rayu ruchathe.’
Sweat out at Chennai’s gyms
Ragu Kavacham
Where the sun worships Perumal
Dhanush-Shriya Come Together Again
இளையராஜாவின் திடீர் விசிட்
ஜீவனின் தொடரும் சென்ட்டிமென்ட்
சர்வத்தில் சர்க்கஸ்

This means life is the proper or coordinated inter-relation of physical body, sense organ, mind and being. It also has a synonym called anubandhascha – inseparably related biological faculty of body, mind sense and atma.

Here in this contest Yoga, which promotes the unity of all these four biological faculty is to be practised in its traditional form.

Traditional Yoga or Vedic Yoga can be classified as a different school of thought in accordance its way of attaining unification.

1) Raja Yoga – This is attaining Yoga or unification and reach Samadhi or oneness by practising the Ashtangas of Yoga like Yama, Niyama, etc. (which we discussed in the last article). One who achieves the yogic state by this mode is considered to be the Raja or King of Yoga – we can take Swami Vivekananda as an example.
2) Bhakthi Yoga – This reaching the ultimate oneness by sheer devotion and faith. Kuchela can be an example for this.
3) Gnana Yoga - Unification by attaining knowledge in different walks of life. Present time scientist and vedic age maharishis are examples. Sri Adi Sankara, Buddha Bhagwan can be best examples.
4) Karma Yoga: Attaining the oneness by selfless service to humanity and society with out anticipating the result – as Krishna Bhagwan explains in Geetha “Karmarne Vadhikaryasya Ma Phaleshu Kadhajena” - perform your duties without anticipating the result of fame in return. Mahatma Gandhi can be quoted as the best example.
5) Janma Yoga – Some Mahatmas are born with the inherent quality to reach that oneness state: for example, Jesus Christ, Mohammed Nabi, etc.
6) Japa Yoga – Attaining oneness by chanting a mantra, God’s name etc. We can see this is part and parcel of all religions like, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism, etc.
7) Thapa Yoga – Attaining oneness by penance. For this we can see a lot of examples in Vedic scriptures.
8) Avathara Yoga – Incarnated soul, Sri Rama, Sri Krishna, etc., who took avatara to create peace and oneness in the Universe.

So with above discussion the possible attainment of oneness and the philosophical background of Yoga can be perceived. Now we discuss the scientific and deeper understanding of Yoga.