The Four Paths of YogaThe Four Paths of Yoga

The four paths are…The four paths are… Active path = Karma yogaActive path = Karma yoga

philosophical path = Jnana Yogaphilosophical path = Jnana Yoga

Devotional path = Bhakti yogaDevotional path = Bhakti yoga

scientific path = Raja yogascientific path = Raja yoga

Karma YogaKarma Yoga Karma yoga involves the dedication Karma yoga involves the dedication

of all work as on offering to of all work as on offering to something or someone with no something or someone with no thought of personal reward.thought of personal reward.

Karma yoga can be practiced at all Karma yoga can be practiced at all times, under all conditions, anywhere times, under all conditions, anywhere there is a desire to do a selfless there is a desire to do a selfless service.service.

Jnana YogaJnana Yoga This is the intellectual approach to This is the intellectual approach to

spiritual evolution. spiritual evolution. This is said to be the most difficult This is said to be the most difficult

path as a sharp, keen intellect, path as a sharp, keen intellect, unclouded by emotions, is necessary.unclouded by emotions, is necessary.

Bhakti YogaBhakti Yoga Bhakti yoga is the devotional Bhakti yoga is the devotional

approach to yoga, the approach of approach to yoga, the approach of pure love.pure love.

Bhakti yoga rids the yogi of Bhakti yoga rids the yogi of egocentricity by developing humiltiy egocentricity by developing humiltiy and self-surrender.and self-surrender.

Raja YogaRaja Yoga In the 14In the 14thth century, Pantanjali’s system of century, Pantanjali’s system of

yoga was given the name Raja yoga, or yoga was given the name Raja yoga, or “royal yoga’. This is often referred to as “royal yoga’. This is often referred to as classical yoga with an emphasis on classical yoga with an emphasis on meditation and introspection.meditation and introspection.

In an effort to control the mind and attain In an effort to control the mind and attain true freedom, he created an 8 limbed true freedom, he created an 8 limbed path of self-observation and analysis.path of self-observation and analysis.

8 steps of Raja yoga8 steps of Raja yoga1. Yamas 1. Yamas 5. Pratyahara5. Pratyahara2. niyamas 2. niyamas 6. Dharana6. Dharana3. Asanas 7. Dhyana3. Asanas 7. Dhyana4. Pranayama 8. Samadhi4. Pranayama 8. Samadhi

Yamas (abstensions)Yamas (abstensions)These main 5 are known as ethicalThese main 5 are known as ethicaldisicplines or guidelines for living morally.disicplines or guidelines for living morally. Truth – Truth – (Satya)(Satya) Nonviolence – Nonviolence – (Ahimsa)(Ahimsa) Continence – Continence – (Brahmacharya)(Brahmacharya) Nonstealing – Nonstealing – (Astheya)(Astheya) Noncovetousness – Noncovetousness – (Aparigraha)(Aparigraha)

Niyamas (Observances)Niyamas (Observances)These are the observances and work in These are the observances and work in partnership with the Yamas as our ethical partnership with the Yamas as our ethical guidelines.guidelines.

Austerities – (tapas)Austerities – (tapas) Purity – (Saucha)Purity – (Saucha) Contentment – (Santosha)Contentment – (Santosha) Study – (Swadhyaya)Study – (Swadhyaya) Surrender of the ego – (Ishwara-Pranidhana)Surrender of the ego – (Ishwara-Pranidhana)

AsanasAsanas Steady poseSteady pose Asanas develop strong bodies – strong Asanas develop strong bodies – strong

muscles and bones and alignment.muscles and bones and alignment. Prana flows best in a strong and Prana flows best in a strong and

aligned body which allows for greater aligned body which allows for greater discovery of self in meditation and discovery of self in meditation and spiritual growth.spiritual growth.

PranayamaPranayama Control of vital energyControl of vital energy

Pranayama cleanes and strengthens Pranayama cleanes and strengthens the physical body, but more the physical body, but more importantly, it calms, steadies, and importantly, it calms, steadies, and clears the mind.clears the mind.

PratyaharaPratyahara Withdrawal of the sensesWithdrawal of the senses This is the letting go stage, moving This is the letting go stage, moving

from cravings and desires. from cravings and desires. What we need and what we perceive What we need and what we perceive

we need are polar opposites. This we need are polar opposites. This takes tremendous discipline.takes tremendous discipline.

DharanaDharana Concentration of the mind.Concentration of the mind. This is the practice of concentrating This is the practice of concentrating

on either an external or internal on either an external or internal object with the exclusion of all other object with the exclusion of all other thoughts. (like a candle or a chakra.) thoughts. (like a candle or a chakra.) This is becoming fully in the This is becoming fully in the moment.moment.

DhyanaDhyana MeditationMeditation The unbroken stillness of the mind. The unbroken stillness of the mind.

When meditation is attained, the When meditation is attained, the mind is empty of thoughts and one mind is empty of thoughts and one can see themselves.can see themselves.

Brings about mental peace and Brings about mental peace and physical peace as well.physical peace as well.

SamadhiSamadhi The superconscious state or The superconscious state or

enlightment. This is a state beyond enlightment. This is a state beyond description.description.

Samadhi is pure bliss.Samadhi is pure bliss.