EIGHT MAIN  YOGAS

 Yoga is designed to enable people to begin from their immediate, present state of consciousness and move forward, day by day, into a state of wholeness, well being, and enlightenment. Even the beginning student is able to shed much physical tension, mental/emotional turbulence, and prepare the way for a life of higher consciousness.
 
As you ponder the possibilities and methods of the eight types of yoga, bear your own nature in mind. Consider which form most appeals to you. In this way you may find some suggestions which will richly benefit you right now.
 
Bear in mind also that these brief comments on each of the main yoga paths are meant to give you insights into yoga and yourself. They are written for introductory or rudimentary understanding of your magnificent possibilities

Few of the "branches" of yoga

Hatha, Ayengar, Kundalini, Kripalu, Astanga, Viniyoga, Tantra, Jantra, Raja, Jnana, Bhakti, and Karma.

Hatha Yoga
Is based on the principle that as strong and as healthy body as possible is needed on the journey toward enlightenment. The experience of practice is concentration, breath, endurance, flexibility and stretching, aligning and strengthening the body, quieting the mind and awakening the spirit.

Ayengar
A style of hatha yoga which emphasizes the development of stamina, strength, flexibility, balance, and concentration. A variety of props-- benches, ropes, sandbags, mats, blocks, chairs, help students near the precise and meticulous alignment of postures which help students dissolve "musculoskeletal blocks."

Kundalini Yoga
A style of hatha yoga. Utilizing movements, exercises, asanas, breathing, mantra (sound), meditations, visualizations, and guided or gong relaxation, it presents "sets" which focus on healing and purifying specific areas of the mind, body and emotions.

Kripalu
A spontaneous, flowing style of hatha yoga, directed by the "innate intelligence of Prana (energy or breath). It is based upon learning to establish conscious communication with this body wisdom, and to let it carry out automatically all the purification processes of both the body and mind at an accelerated rate."--Yogi Desai

Astanga
A style of hatha involving "vinyasa" (flowing movements), connecting every asana, coordinated with "ujjaya" breathing (a special, throaty breathing technique). Students lock their perineal and abdominal muscles in each posture to create upward moving energy. Practice is divided into six "series" (a set order of postures), and each series is mastered sequentially.

Viniyoga
This is a gentler style with extra personal attention to individual needs and structural "idiosyncrasies." Viniyoga uses flowing movement (vinyasa), similar to Astanga's, but at a greatly reduced pace and stress level. It is strengthening, balancing and healing from a structural point of view, excellent for beginners, seniors, chronic pain sufferers, and for rehabilitation from injury or disease.

• Red - sexual experiences as quest for enlightenment
• White - sexuality as play of polarities
• Black - magic

Jnana Yoga
path of spiritual knowledge, selflessness, and strength coming from faith and experience in the oneness of all

Bhakti
the practice of love, devotion and worship

Karma
a path of selfless action and service

Jantra
sight & form

Raja
royal yoga -meditative - ruler of one's own mind - concentration & latent energy

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