Japa Yoga

To concentrate one‟s mind on divine name or holy syllable, mantra etc. like „OM‟, „Rama‟, „Allah‟, „Jesus‟, „God‟, „Guru‟, etc. through repeated recitation on remembrance.

Karma yoga

Teaches us to perform all actions without having any desire for their fruit. In this sadhana a Yogi considers his duty as divine action, perform it with whole hearted dedication but shuns away from all desires.

Jnana Yoga

Teaches us to discriminate between the self and non-self and to acquire the knowledge of one‟s spiritual entity through the study of scriptures, company of Saints and practice of meditation.

Bhakti Yoga

Bhakthi yoga is a system of intense devotion with emphasis on complete surrender to divine will. The true follower of Bhakti Yoga is free from egoism, humble and unaffected by the dualities of the world

Raja Yoga

Raja Yoga popularly known as “Ashtanga Yoga” is for all-round development of human personality. These are Yama, Niyama, Asana, Pranayama, Pratyahara, Dharana, Dhyana and Samadhi.

• Yamas (Observances)

  Practice of Yamas pave way to increase the power of concentration, mental purity and steadiness.

  The following are the Yama

  • Ahimsa ( not to harm others)
  • Satya ( to be truthful)
  • Asteya ( not to steal)
  • Brahmacharya (celibacy)
  • Aparigraha ( not to possess beyond actual needs)

• Niyamas ( Restraints)

  There are five Niyamas

  • Shauch ( external and internal purification)
  • Santosh (contentment)
  • Tapa ( to make right efforts to achieve goals)
  • Swadhaya ( to study authentic texts and religious scriptures correct knowledge of self and the supreme divinity)
  • Ishwar Pranidhan ( complete surrender to the divine will)

  A set of Asanas, Mudras and Pranayamas practiced with faith, perseverance and insight rejuvenates the brain, heart, lungs, liver, pancreas, kidney, bowels, all nerves, muscles, tissues and glands of the body by ensuring oxygenated and balanced blood supply, kindles up the appetite, bestows control over seminal fluid, senses and mind and imparts increased vitality, vigour and longevity to the practitioner.

• Asanas ( Postures)

  These are special patterns of postures that stabilize the mind and the body through static stretching. Their aim is to establish proper system in the neuromuscular tonic impulses and improve the general muscle tone. Two basic principles governing the performance of asanas are stability and comfort. This suggests that the nature of asanas is psycho neuro physical and not only physical. Every asana should be performed effortlessly and maintained for a comfortable time. There should be no jerks and the performance of asana should not lead to undue fatigue.

  Asanas may be classified as:

  • Meditative
  • Cultural
  • Relaxative

  • Meditative Asanas

    Meditative Asanas are sitting postures, which maintain the body in a steady and comfortable condition. By various arrangements of the legs and hands different meditative Asanas are performed. The characteristic feature of the Meditative Asana is, however, keeping the head, neck and trunk erect.

  • Cultural Asanas

    Cultural Asanas involve static stretching which brings about proper tone of muscles. They contribute to the flexibility of the spine and render the back and spinal muscles stronger. They also stimulate proper working of the vital organs in the thoracic and abdominal cavities. There are innumerable varieties of cultural Asanas, which are performed in sitting, lying and standing position.

  • Relaxative Asanas

    Relaxative Asanas are few in numbers. They are performed in the lying position and are meant for giving rest to the body and mind.

• Surya Namaskar ( Salutation to sun)

  Surya Namaskar is the most useful and popular mode of Yogic exercises which briefly bestows the benefits of Asanas, Pranayama and Mudras altogether. It consists of a series of 12 postures which are performed early in the morning facing the rising Sun. Surya Namaskar energizes the entire neuro glandular and neuromuscular system of the body and its regular practice ensures a balanced supply of oxygenated blood and perfect harmony to all the systems of the body, thus invigorating the entire psychosomatic system of human constitution.

• Pranayama ( Yogic Respiration)

  These practices bring control over the respiratory impulses, which form one of the channels of the flow of autonomic nerve impulses. Holding of the breath for a prolonged and comfortable time is an essential technique of Pranayama. However, in the initial practice the breath holding phase is completely avoided and emphasis is put one the controlled inspiration and expiration with a time ratio 1:2 between them. The expiratory phase is so controlled that the following inspiratory phases is not affected in its slow and controlled inspiration. The main purpose of pranayama is to gain control over the autonomic nervous system and through its influence the mental function is also controlled and regulated. It is useful in higher yogic practices like meditation.

• Pratyahara (Withdrawal of senses from their Objects)

  It is a method for control of the mind. It is a practice for withdrawal of the senses from their respective objects. It is also a process for the prevention of mind wandering and indulgence to unhealthy thoughts, and hence, can be considered as a psychological practice.

• Dharana ( Contemplation)

  It attempts at fixation of mind on a single object or thought or sounds at any place or spot external or internal of the body is Dharana. It improves power of concentration, memory and intellect. Its regular practice results in peace, better mind-body co-ordination and balanced growth.

• Dhyan ( Meditation)

  Continuous and un-interrupted flow of mind in the same direction wherever the mind is fixed is Meditation. This is the practice involving control of the mental function which start from the initial withdrawal of the senses from external objects to the complete oblivion external environment. It is a process of absorption in which the individual tries to turn his attention to experience. It is not always safer to start ones practice in meditation without preparing adequately through Asanas and Pranayama. By regular practice of meditation one acquires the power to concentrate deep resulting in manyfold benefits such as increased physical energy, mental efficiency, creativity, calmness, memory, intellect, psychic power and intuitiveness. The basic principle of meditation is to develop internal awareness.

• Samadhi (Enlighten State)

  Samadhi literally means “completely in agreement”,also called Samapti. It is a state or superconsciousness where trio-the meditator, meditation and meditated upon become one. It is a state of bliss and oneness with immense being ( universal consciousness).Samadhi is the final state of yogic practice. In this phase there is development of mind for appreciation of yogic philosophy, for knowledge which brings salvation- object of sadhana. With the development of Samadhi, there is realization of soul-(Atma), this soul is also Paramatma such as , „AHAM is SOHAM - as the Yogi realizes he is not AHAM (physical existence) only but his existence in every being in every individual as soul. According to Patanjali Darshan – Samadhi can be achieved by the practice of Ishwar pranidhan alone i,e. complete surrender to the divine will.