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Types of Yoga

Types of Yoga

Major six branches of yoga include KARMA YOGA, BHAKTI YOGA, GYANA YOGA, HATHA YOGA, RAJA YOGA, and TANTRA YOGA.

The Bhagavad-Gita introduces three prominent types of yoga: Gita is devided into three sections, with the first six chapters dealing with Karma yoga, the middle six with Bhakti yoga, and the last six with Gyana Yog.

KARMA YOGA or Yoga of Action / Service -It is believed that your present situation is based on your past actions. So by doing selfless service now, you are choosing a future that is free from negativity and selfishness. Karma Yogis change their attitude towards the good and in this process, purify their souls, which leads to a change in their destiny in future. Devoting to karm without indulging in the aspiration of expectations.

BHAKTI YOGA or Yoga of Devotion -This is the path of the heart and devotion. Bhakti Yoga teaches a person to have devotion in the " Almighty” by developing a person's love towards Him i.e. meeting and merging into divine. The doors of Bhakti Yog are open even for those who are not intellectuals. Devotee like Meera, Hanuman, Gyanu bhagat  , Even Illiterate Kabir could attain this consciousness through Bhakti Yog.

GYAN YOGA or Yoga of KnowledgeIt focuses on man's intelligence and Intellectual power to realize the self and librates from the bondages of ignorance where ultimate truth alone survives. Since Gyana Yogis wish to gain knowledge, they are open to all philosophies and religion for they believe that an open and rational mind is crucial in knowing the spirit.

HATH YOGA or Yoga of Postures  Focuses on shatkarma, the purification of the physical body leading to the purification of the mind (ha), and prana, or vital energy (tha).

Hath Yog is based on Science of Swaras i.e Flow of vital energy from nostrils.

a) Surya Swar ( Surya Nadi i.e Rt Nostril called as Pingla indicating Sun), 
b) Chandra Swar ( Chandra Nadi i.e Left Nostril called as Ida indicating Moon). 
c) Sushumna Nadi is the YOG i.e joining , unition of Surya & Chandra Swar.

This branch of Yoga uses physical poses or Asana, Breathing Techniques or Pranayama, and Meditation to achieve better health, as well as spirituality.

RAJA YOGA or Yoga of Self Control -was given by Maharishi Patanjali . Mainly there are sitting postures in this pattern.Raja Yoga is based on the teachings of the Eight Limbs of Yoga found in the Yoga sutras.

TANTRA YOGA or Yoga of Rituals - i.e. to experience what is sacred in everything we do. Tantra Yogis must possess certain qualities like purity, humility, devotion, dedication to their Guru, cosmic love, and truthfulness among other things.