The 8 Limbs & 4 Types of Yoga

Despite its amazing growth in popularity, many serious practitioners of the ancient art of yoga see it as nothing more than a series of powerful physical exercises designed to give one a perfect body.

Much More than Indian Aerobics
First and foremost, yoga is a systematic process of spiritual unfolding. The path of yoga teaches us how to integrate and heal our personal existence, as well as harmonize our individual consciousness with God. Devotional meditation upon God is at the very heart of any good yoga practice. For this reason, yoga has often been called “meditation in motion”.

The Eight Limbs of Yoga
While the physical component of yoga is certainly of importance, it is only one of the eight traditional limbs of yoga practice, all of which have meditation on God as their purpose. These are the eight limbs of the complete yoga system as they are found in the famous yoga textbook known as the Yoga Sutras, written by the sage Patanjali in circa 200 B.C. Briefly, they are as follows:

1. Yama: These are five positive ethical guidelines (restraints, or abstinences) that include non-violence, fidelity to the Absolute, non-stealing, truthfulness and non-attachment.

2. Niyama: These are five positive behaviors, including cleanliness, contentment, self-discipline, self-study and devotion to God.

3. Asana: These are the actual physical exercises that people usually associate with yoga. These powerful poses are designed to give our bodies strength, flexibility and energy. They also contribute to the deep sense of relaxation that is necessary in order to lovingly meditate on the Absolute.

4. Pranayama: These are the energizing breathing exercises that produce vitality, overall health and inner calm.

5. Pratyahara: This is detachment from the ever-present fluctuations of life. Through this practice, we can transcend all the trials and sufferings that life often seems to throw our way and begin to see such challenges in a positive and healing light.

6. Dharana: This is the practice of power ful and focused concentration.

7. Dhyana: This is devotional meditation on God, designed to still the agitations of the mind and open the heart to God's healing love.

8. Samadhi: This is blissful absorption of one's individual consciousness in the essence of God. In this state, the yogi experiences the direct presence of God in his or her life at all times. The result of samadhi is peace, bliss and happiness without end.

Ashtanga Yoga
These eight limbs together constitute the complete system known as classical Ashtanga Yoga. When yoga is diligently practiced under the guidance of a well-trained spiritual teacher (guru), it can lead to liberation from all illusion and suffering.

The Four Types of Yoga
Theologically speaking, there are four divisions of Yoga, that form one of the cornerstones of Hinduism. In Sanskrit, they are called Raja-Yoga, Karma-Yoga, Bhakti-Yoga and Jnana-Yoga. And the person who seeks this kind of a union is called a 'Yogi':

1. Karma-Yoga: The worker is called the Karma-Yogi.

2. Raja-Yoga: One who seeks this union through mysticism is called a Raja-Yogi.

3. Bhakti-Yoga: One who searches this union in love is a Bhakti-Yogi.

4. Jnana-Yoga: One who seeks this Yoga through philosophy is called the Jnana-Yogi.

The Real Meaning of Yoga
Swami Vivekananda has succinctly explained this as follows: "To the worker, it is union between men and the whole of humanity; to the mystic, between his lower and Higher Self; to the lover, union between himself and the God of love; and to the philosopher, it is union of all existence. This is what is meant by Yoga."

Yoga is the Ideal of Hinduism
An ideal human being, according to Hinduism, is one who has all the elements of philosophy, mysticism, emotion, and work present in him in equal proportions. To become harmoniously balanced in all these four directions is the ideal of Hinduism, and this is attained by what is known as "Yoga" or union.

The Spiritual Dimension of Yoga
If you've ever tried a yoga class, try going that next crucial step and explore the spiritual dimensions of yoga. And come back to your true self.

This article includes excerpts from the writings of Dr. Frank Gaetano Morales, a PhD from the Department of Languages and Cultures of Asia at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and a world-renowned authority on yoga, spirituality, meditation and achieving self-realization. Reproduced with permission of the author.