The different yoga philosophies simply adhere to different applications of inner discipline, all of which ultimately lead to the liberation of the soul and to a unique understanding of the Divine Unity. The yoga philosophies are merely named according to the yogi's objective of self-transformation and the instrument chosen for such anticipated change.

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Yoga: Hindu meditative practices; the formal school of Yoga developed in the middle ages contains seven sub-schools: Jnana Yoga (knowldge), Karma Yoga (action), Bhakti Yoga (devotion), Mantra Yoga (sounds), Laya Yoga (dissolution), Hatha Yoga (postures, breathing), and Raja Yoga (meditation).

 (See also: Yoga, Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Karma Yoga: Sub-school of Hindu Yoga which advocates becoming indifferent to the consequences of one's actions, thereby disassociating oneself from one's ordinary consciousness

 (See also: Karma Yoga, Eastern Philosophy, Body Mind and Soul)

Yoga Philosophy explained thru the Patanjali Yoga Sutras. The roots of Yoga can be traced back roughly 5,000 years to the Indus Valley civilization, where seals depicting people performing asanas (yoga postures) were used in trade along the river. The word Yoga comes from the Sanskrit word "Yuj" meaning to yoke, join or unite. It is the union of all aspects of an individual: body, mind and soul. Hence, Yoga reunites all opposites - mind and body, stillness and movement, masculine and feminine, sun and moon - in order to bring reconciliation between them. Yoga is one of the six branches in Indian philosophy and is referred to throughout the Vedas – the ancient scriptures of India. There is a legend that says that the knowledge of Yoga was first offered by Lord Shiva to his wife Parvati and then passed on to the world.

Read more here: » Patanjali: Yoga Philosophy and the Patanjali Yoga Sutras

The word Kundalini is a familiar one to all students of Yoga, as it is well known as the power, in the form of a coiled serpent, residing in Muladhara Chakra, the first of the seven Chakras, the other six being Svadhishthana, Manipuraka, Anahata, Visuddha, Ajna and Sahasrara, in order.
Excerpt from the book Kundalini Yoga by Sri Swami Sivananda.

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Yog means union. Union with a supreme power which is the source of creation, perfection and destruction. Union with the supreme intellect and the guiding force behind the perfect mechanism of the universe. Yoga is merging oneself with this force that guides the human being to a state of total bliss. A human being is a small universe in itself. When the consciousness of this small universe unites with the energy prevailing in the vast canopy of the universe the union is complete and the light of wisdom starts flowing in the human body. The light contains everything a human needs to evolve. A human is a part of nature and constantly striving for perfection. This is the natural course of evolution because god is the personification of ultimate perfection.

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The psychology and philosophy of yoga can assist the mother to understand the experiences she is going through and to live them more fully. The development of awareness and of being a witness to all experiences in life is a central teaching of yoga. The ability to stand aside and witness what one is passing through removes a lot of fear and anxiety. Awareness builds one's inner resources of self- esteem and confidence and also enables the birth to be more consciously experienced. Yogic psychology also helps us understand the causes and effects of our circumstances in life and this deepens our insight and wisdom.

Read more here: » Yoga: Yoga And Motherhood

Jnana Yoga - The Yoga of wisdom or knowledge

Jnana means wisdom or discernment. Commonly known as Yoga of the knowledge, Jnana focuses on man's intelligence. Yogis have an open mind for everything, they accept all philosophies and religions. Their unity of intellect and wisdom enables them to surpass boundaries and look beyond ideological controversies.

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Karma Yoga - The Yoga of Action

Karma yoga joins both the physical and mental aspects of Hindu philosophy to produce a single concept. It believes that the present relies on the past and that in turn, with your actions, you can alter the future. Selflessness is a primary requirement for karma practice. Steering your actions towards the good Ð saying good, thinking good, doing good will all facilitate selflessness. Acting this way eliminates egoistic and negative behaviour and enables you to influence your destiny.

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The word Yoga comes from the root Yuj which means to join. Yoga is restraint of the activities of the mind, and is the union of the individual soul with the Supreme Soul.

Hiranyagarbha is the founder of the Yoga system. The Yoga founded by Patanjali Maharshi is a branch or supplement of the Sankhya. It has its own charm for students of a mystic temperament and of a contemplative type. It claims greater orthodoxy than the Sankhya proper by directly acknowledging the existence of a Supreme Being (Isvara).

Excerpt from All About Hinduism by Sri Swami Sivananda

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Kriyas, literally ''activities'', are spontaneous movements that occur after kundalini awakening. These include bodily activities such as trembling, shaking and spontaneous yoga postures; vocal activities such as yelling, or spontaneous chanting and mental activities such as visions. These kriyas eliminate the blocks to kundalini rising within the spine or central channel.

This FAQ gives an overview of Siddha Mahayoga. Part I of III.

In Part III: 1) What are kriyas?, 2) So how do kriyas purify my consciousness?, 3) Are these kriyas some sort of self-hypnosis or some sort New Age phenomenon?, 4) Haven't a number of well-known teachers criticized kriyas?, 5) Don't they say that kundalini is a force that needs control?, What is the philosophy of siddha mahayoga?, 6) What is the precise role of the guru in siddha mahayoga?, 7) What teachers give shaktipat initiation?, 8) Where can I learn more?

Read more here: » Siddha Mahayoga FAQ: What are kriyas? (part III of III) -

 In yoga, it is believed that when we seek permanent solutions to difficult and chronic problems then our actions should be holistic. Yoga helps us achieve a proper balance through monitoring our actions or deeds with our thoughts. This can be achieved by bringing a balance between our Achar and Vichaar , which are thoughts and deeds in conjunction with our Ahar and Vihar, i.e food and recreation.

Read more here: » Yoga: The importance of attitudes in yoga

Yog means union. Union with a supreme power which is the source of creation, perfection and destruction. Union with the supreme intellect and the guiding force behind the perfect mechanism of the universe. Yoga is merging oneself with this force that guides the human being to a state of total bliss. A human being is a small universe in itself. When the consciousness of this small universe unites with the energy prevailing in the vast canopy of the universe the union is complete and the light of wisdom starts flowing in the human body.

Read more here: » Yoga - Beyond The Body And Mind

Yoga has eight steps for self-realization. Of these two are most important. These need to be mastered before heading towards the other six because without these the asanas will end up being just mere exercises to keep the body fit.

 The first two steps are called Yam and Niyam . These need to be followed internally for preparing oneself for the higher consciousness.

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The sage Patanjali postulated an eight-fold system of spiritual yogic practice for achieving the divine goal. It comprises:

Yam - Controls, Niyam - Rules and regulations, Asan - Bodily Postures, Pranaayam - Breath Control Exercises, Pratyahaar - Sense control, Dharana - Concentration, Dhyaana - Meditation, Samadhi - Mergence

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Practising yoga regularly imparts great benefits, which can be categorized under:

Basic spiritual benefits, Advanced spiritual benefits , Ultimate spiritual benefit, Discover your breath and Free your thoughts.

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Kriya Yoga: The scientific process of soul culture and the royal path to self-realization

The fundamental thesis of Kriya Yoga is that we are a miniature version of the whole cosmos, a microcosm - an evolving universe within the macrocosmic world. The all-pervading supreme creator is hiding within us and activating every action through the breath - hence the name kriya; any work "kri," is being done by the power of the indwelling soul "ya." The various cosmic forces controlling ether, air, fire, water, and earth also control the kinds of work, namely, religious activities, relationship, food, progeny, and earning money performed by the human body. Yoga is the means of conjoining this correspondence between microcosm and macrocosm - realizing the truth behind the union of individual self and the Supreme Self.

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Kriya Yoga is a scientific art of perfect God Truth union and Self-Realization. It was revived by a great Master of India, Babaji Nagaraj, as a synthesis of ancient teachings of the 18 Siddha tradition. It includes a series of 144 techniques or "Kriyas" grouped into five phases or branches.

Read more here: » Kriya Yoga: Introduction to Kriya Yoga

Raja Yoga - The Yoga of Self Control

Raja means Ôroyal' and Raja Yoga is said to be the Ôking' of Yogas. It is the path of yoga which is mainly concerned with meditation. During practice, the yogi sits at ease to observe the mind and to silence floating thoughts. The practice induces a sense of centrality and teaches self honour and respect. One of the main beliefs of Raja Yoga is that the universe exists only for the self. It is based on the Eight Limbs of Yoga which is discussed in the Yoga Sutra.

Read more here: » Yoga Branches: Raja Yoga