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yoga: Yoga means to yoke (unite) with the source of our Being (which is pure Awareness, God).
Gentle
Gurukala
Gurukala Yoga is a traditional way of learning the Eight-Fold Path of Yoga by
living in the house of a yoga master/teacher. Because this system is no longer commonly
used, the International Gurukalam was created for its preservation. Yoga knowledge is now
shared through the International Gurukalam’s network of Yogabhavans (literally means
‘yoga-houses’).
Official site: www.yogabhavan.com/main.asp
For more on the Eight-Fold Path, please see: "Ashta-Anga
/ Ashtanga / Classical"
Gyana / Gnana
Gyana Yoga is Jnana Yoga. Please see: "Jnana / Gyana / Gnana"
Hatha
Hatha Yoga, also called 'forceful yoga', is a physically demanding path of yoga
based on body-bending yoga poses (asanas), cleansing techniques (shat karmas), breath
control (pranayama), locks (bandhas) and seals (mudras). It is thought that by perfecting
the body, creating a healthy physical condition, and raising Kundalini energy upwards
along the spine, the body becomes better prepared for yogic awakening (Samadhi, nirvana,
union with God).
Hatha Yoga also includes higher spiritual practices such as meditation. However, many yoga
manuals have attributed these higher spiritual practices to 'Raja Yoga', declaring Hatha
Yoga only as a 'stairway to Raja Yoga'.
Traditional Hatha Yoga consists of:
1. Asanas (postures);
2. Shat Karmas (six cleansing techniques, also known as Shat Kriyas);
3. Pranayama (control of breathing with retention);
4. Bandhas (locks) and Mudras (seals) for the regulation of Prana (life-force) and
Kundalini (dormant energy); and
5. Samadhi (Union with God, realization of the Self, ecstasy, nirvana).
See also: "Raja / Classical / Ashta-anga"; Related page: Hatha Yoga
Hot
Hot Yoga is Vinyasa-Hatha Yoga practiced in a heated room. Bikram Yoga is the
first yoga style to popularize yoga practice in a heated room. Power Yoga is sometimes
practiced in a heated room as well.
See also: "Bikram /
Hot" and "Power /
Power Vinyasa"
Integral
Integral Yoga, developed by Sri Aurobinder and Mirra Richard
("The Mother"), draws on numerous yoga styles to develop and transform the
entire being: Physical, Vital, Mental, Psychic, and Spiritual.
While the aim of all yoga styles is to achieve union with God, Integral Yoga also aims to
achieve realization of the Divine in the physical world.
Sri Autobinder’s Integral Yoga is now being practiced under the name ‘Purna
Yoga’. Purna Yoga combines the asanas of Hatha Yoga along with meditation, pranayama,
nutrition and overall healthy ‘yogic living’. Practitioners of Purna Yoga live
it from the heart.
See also: "Purna /
Poorna"
Iyengar
Iyengar Yoga, developed by Yogacharya B.K.S. Iyengar, is based on ancient Hatha Yoga
teachings.
In Iyengar Yoga, precision and correct alignment is considered very important when
performing the asanas. Props and supports are often used (particularly with beginners) to
help achieve proper positioning. Iyengar Yoga is also known to emphasize standing poses.
Official site: www.bksiyengar.com
Japa
Japa Yoga is the yoga of mindful recitation. It can also be
described as repetitive prayer.
In Japa Yoga, certain mantras (such as om) or a name of God are repeated in
accordance with specific rules. The mantras or name of God can be repeated internally, in
a whisper, or verbally. Of these three methods, internal recitation is considered the most
effective, followed by recitation through whisper. Japa Yoga can be practiced in a
meditative pose or even while performing other activities.
See also: "Mantra"
Jivamukti
Jivamukti Yoga is a style of Ashtanga Vinyasa-Hatha Yoga, created by David Life and
Sharon Gannon in 1984.
Jivumukti derives its name from ‘liberation from separation’ or ‘liberation
while living’, and much emphasis is placed on living and practicing yoga philosophy
in daily life. Classes are challenging and include the asanas of Hatha Yoga, spiritual
teachings based on ancient yoga scripture, music, chanting, devotion and meditation.
Official site: www.jivamuktiyoga.com
Jnana / Gyana / Gnana
Jnana Yoga (the yoga of ‘Transcendental Knowledge’) is devoted to
knowledge of God and the Self. It is an enquiry into the ultimate Truth. While not
considered the easiest path of yoga, it is a direct path to Union with God (Samadhi).
The Jnana Yogi searches the Self either by concentrating on the first thought
"I" until even that thought disappears or by investigating the answer to the
question "Who am I?". The Self, when found, reveals It-Self always as pure
Awareness.
Related page: Jnana Yoga: The Yoga
of Knowledge
Kalari
Kalari Yoga, resurrected by C.M. Sherif Gurukkal, is based on
ancient shamanic postures of Northern-style Kalarippayat. These postures are definitely
not the classical asanas common throughout all Hatha yoga styles. Instead, Kalari’s
main postures are based on animal movements created to enhance the physical and spiritual
growth of the Kalari warriors of medieval Kerala, India.
A unique feature of Kalari Yoga is its outward focus. It is believed that concentrated
focus on an outside point produces the same results as concentrated focus within (the
Eight-Fold Path of Ashta-anga yoga, along with all Hatha-inspired yoga styles, has an
inner focus).
Kalari Yoga was almost entirely lost, but has been recreated through the efforts of C.M.
Sherif Gurukkal and the deciphering of ancient Kalari manuscripts preserved on palm
leaves. It only became possible to decipher the manuscripts when a small group of monks
were found who practice a similar tradition.
Kalarippayat
Kalarippayat is not yoga; Kalarippayat is an
ancient cultural and martial art of Kerala, India. It is only included on this list
because of Kalarippayat’s close relation to Kalari Yoga. Please
see: "Kalari"
Karma
Karma is the total sum of all our actions (mental and physical),
in this life and before. Karma Yoga is the yoga of Service or self-transcending Action,
whereby the yogi directs all actions towards God. By serving God and humanity (without
selfishness, egoism, and attachment) the heart becomes pure and over time, or even over
many lifetimes, one becomes increasingly in tune and unified with God. Enlightenment
(Samadhi, nirvana, union with God) is through Karma yoga naturally realized.
Kripalu
Kripalu Yoga is a style of Hatha Yoga founded by Yogi Amrit
Desai ("Gurudev") and based on the teachings of his Guru, Swami Kripalvananda
("Bapuji").
Kripalu Yoga combines the asanas of Hatha yoga with pranayama, meditation and compassion.
The proper use of breath is considered very important. Asanas are never rushed - poses are
more gentle and relaxed. Because Kripalu Yoga recognized that an individual’s body
and mind are naturally wise, perfection in the classical asanas is not the goal. Kripalu
Yogis are encouraged to become sensitive to the needs of their bodies and make asana
adjustments accordingly.
Official site: www.kripalu.org
Kriya
Kriya Yoga, as introduced by Paramahansa Yogananda and the Kriya line of
teachers, employs a mixture of Hatha, Bhakti, Karma, Mantra, and Jnana Yoga. It is
distinguished by a unique technique of Kriya pranayamas for the purpose of controlling the
Kundalini life-force and ultimately coaxing it to ascend.
Below are a few of the best known Kriya Yoga organizations:
Self-Realization Fellowship (SRF): www.yogananda-srf.org
Center for Spiritual Awareness (CSA): www.csa-davis.org
Ananda: www.ananda.org
Related page: Kriya Yoga
Kundalini
Kundalini Yoga is based on a tantric discipline for arousing and raising
Kundalini energy upwards through the chakras. Kundalini energy, also called ‘Serpent
Power’, is the unlimited life-force (prana) that lies dormant in the Chakras. Only
through activation of the chakras can this energy be accessed. Yogic awakening is achieved
when Kundalini energy is fully raised and the Crown Chakra activated.
In Kundalini Yoga, many methods are used to arouse Kundalini (including Hatha Yoga asanas
to straighten the spine, pranayama, mantras, and meditation).
International Kundalini Yoga Teachers
Association site: www.kundaliniyoga.com
Laya
Laya yoga is the yoga of meditative absorption. It uses pranayama, mudras, yantras,
mantras, sound and visualization to arouse Kundalini, dissolve the mind, and achieve yogic
awakening (Samadhi, nirvana, union with God).
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Disclaimer: Although this glossary of Yoga Styles connects to several specific yoga schools and yoga instructors, Zentrum Publishing in no way endorses any particular yoga school or yoga instructor. This glossary (which may contain inaccuracies) is meant only as quick-reference and aid for making some sense of the tremendous abundance of yoga styles.