There are a good handful of individual Yoga practices all with the common goal to unify both body and mind. They are as follows:
Hatha Yoga ~ otherwise known as the ‘forceful path’ which relates to the yoga of physical well-being. In our Western society it is used primarily as a physical therapy and consists of asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing exercises) and meditation. The word Hatha comes from 2 parts Ha (The Sun) and Tha (The Moon) ….
Raja Yoga ~ considered the highest form of Yoga for Raja means ‘royal’ and within this practice meditation is the focal point. Approaching Raja Yoga consists of great adherence to the 8 limbs of Yoga (see The Yoga Sutras by Patanjali). This branch of yoga is also known as ‘classical’. Raja yoga typically starts with practicing hatha yoga which prepares the body in health and strength so as to proceed forward into more advanced stages of training ….
Karma Yoga ~ is the path of service with the principle that what one experiences today is created by one’s actions of the past. With that in mind all present efforts become a conscious way to create a future that gives freedom from negativity, narrow-mindedness and selfishness. Karma Yoga is practiced within everyday work and play in a selfless manner and with intention to serve others ….
Bhakti Yoga ~ is the yoga of the heart, the path of devotion to the Devine. This type of yoga builds a positive way to channel all emotions and provides opportunity to cultivate an acceptance and tolerance of everyone you come into contact with …..
Jnana Yoga ~ is the yoga of the mind, it is the way of the wise, the path of the sage or scholar and requires development through many levels of study of the ancient scripts and texts of yogic tradition ….
Tantra Yoga ~ is a pathway of ritual and brings experience of the Divine in everything undertaken. It is the most misunderstood and misinterpreted path of yoga. It is about cultivating the mind with reverence and encouraging a ritualistic and positive approach to life in all manner ….
All above branches/paths of Yoga can be integrated with each other and one can practice and combine any number of expressions to unlock and release one’s full potential as a human being.
Yoga With Alicia (Dogstar) 