Today there is a wide variety of different yoga styles. Basically, they originated from the Indian tradition. This is based on the originally great 4 yoga paths, all of which should lead the yogi to enlightenment.
4 Yoga paths
- Raja Yoga: This yoga path is also called the king’s path of yoga and is also called Asthanga Yoga, which is strictly separated from the Ashtanga Yoga style. Raja Yoga contains 8 steps (8 Step Path), which was described by the founder of Raja Yoga, the sage Pantajali in the so-called Yoga Sutra. The 8 steps of the path are Yama, the attitude towards the environment, Niyama, the attitude towards one’s own self, Asana, the physical exercises, Pranyama, the breathing exercises, Pratyahara, the inward pulling of the mind and senses, Dharana, the concentration Dhyana, the meditation.
These seven stages are intended to lead the yogi to the eighth stage, which is perfect knowledge and enlightenment (samadhi).
- Karma Yoga: Karma Yoga is a yoga path that focuses on actions and their consequences. The intention of the action is also of great importance and should never be based on self-interest or greed or avarice. Karma Yoga is also called Yoga of action or selfless service.
Humility, pure love, sympathy, mercy and tolerance are values of Karma Yoga. It is about the attitude of the yogi and his consciousness in everyday actions. It is a very spiritual path, which allows one to live independently from performing any physical exercises in daily life.
The events of everyday life are lessons by which the yogi should grow. Karma should be reduced by optimizing the actions and attitudes of the yogi in the sense of Karma Yoga, up to enlightenment.
- Bhakti Yoga: Also known as Yoga of love and devotion. It is especially about love and devotion towards God, but also towards his creation, which includes self-esteem and life.
Gratitude for creation and life are also part of Bhakti Yoga. In Bhakti Yoga the yogi also enjoys the little things. Expression of Bhakti Yoga are joy of life, wearing colorful clothes and love for nature and the beautiful arts.
Bhatki Yoga should be a very direct way to enlightenment. Feelings and emotions are directed to God and only an open heart is expected when practicing Bhakti Yoga.
- Jnana Yoga: Jnana Yoga is about philosophy and knowledge. For this, the yogi must read philosophical scriptures and put what he has read and learned into practice until he has internalized it in such a way that he reaches all-embracing knowledge and thus enlightenment. This is why Jnana Yoga is also called the path of knowledge. However, Jnana Yoga is not about simply memorizing scriptures and theses, but much more about inner knowledge and deep consciousness, which is achieved through
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