THE YOGA WHEEL

Understanding the paths of yoga with the Yoga Wheel

There are various paths or approaches to yoga, each with its own emphasis and practices. Here are some of the main paths of yoga:

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga, often referred to as "Royal Yoga" or "Ashtanga Yoga," focuses on mental and spiritual discipline. It is outlined in Patanjali's Yoga Sutras and involves practices such as meditation, concentration, and control of the mind. Raja Yoga aims to achieve self-realization and union with the divine through mental purification.

Hatha Yoga

Hatha Yoga is the path of physical postures and breath control. It's what many people in the West commonly associate with yoga. Hatha Yoga uses asanas (physical postures) and pranayama (breath control) to balance and harmonize the body and mind. It's often used as a foundation for other yogic practices.

Karma Yoga

Karma Yoga is the path of selfless service and action. Practitioners of Karma Yoga aim to transcend the ego by performing their duties and actions without attachment to the results. It's about doing good deeds and serving others without expecting anything in return.

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakti Yoga is the path of devotion and love for a chosen deity or the divine. Devotees in this path express their love and devotion through prayer, worship, and surrender. The ultimate goal is to cultivate a deep, loving connection with the divine.

Jnana Yoga

Jnana Yoga is the path of knowledge and wisdom. It involves deep philosophical inquiry and self-inquiry to understand the true nature of reality and the self. Jnana Yogis seek to realize the non-dual nature of existence and experience direct knowledge of the divine.

Mantra Yoga

Mantra Yoga is the path of sacred sound and repetition. It involves the continuous repetition of specific mantras (sacred words or phrases) to quiet the mind and connect with higher states of consciousness.

These paths are not mutually exclusive, and many practitioners combine elements from different paths to suit their individual spiritual journey. It's essential to find the path that resonates most with youiu and aligns with your goals and values in your yoga practice.