Yoga in India – Popular Yoga Forms

Yoga in India has almost become the other name of the healthy lifestyle. Yoga classes and Yoga schools have mushroomed everywhere. Plenty of TV channels dedicate their significant time slots to Yoga shows, and Live Yoga from the camps organized all over India and outside. Yoga Gurus like Baba Ramdev, Bikram Choudhury have been catalysts in spreading awareness about Yoga and its benefits beyond the select few. This has significantly helped Indians adopt this ancient Indian practise, and their quest on this subject is constantly rising.

Most of us know Yoga as Pranayam and few Asanas. So we tried to dig deeper and have captured the popular forms of Yoga practised in India today. Here are different versions of Yoga that are commonly practised.

Kundalini Yoga-

Kundalini is a Sanskrit term that means uncoiled. Kundalini is a well-known form of Yoga that intends to bring positive effects in life. It refers to the physical, mental and spiritual discipline that combines the highest physical and meditative patterns found in Nada Yoga, Raja Yoga, Shakti yoga, Laya yoga, Kriya yoga, Bhakti yoga tantra, as well as the fundamentals of Yoga Sutra of Patanjali.

Ashtanga Yoga-

Ashtanga yoga refers to the eight-fold path of Yoga, where the term Ashtanga denotes eight limbs. Patanjali them as abstinences (Yama), observances (Niyama), postures (Asana), breath control (Pranayama), sense withdrawal (Pratyahara), concentration (Dharana), meditation (Dhyana) and contemplation (Samadhi) in Indian scriptures.

Raja Yoga-

Raja yoga is one of the best ways to experience truth. Raja yoga mainly deals with the cultivation of the mind using the process of meditation to meet with reality and finally liberation. The mind or the psyche is considered the king of our entire physical structure. Self-discipline is the key component to control and purify the human mind. A strong blend of physical and emotional health is necessary to delve deeper into this form of Yoga.

Hatha Yoga-

Yogi Swatmarama initiated this form of Yoga in the 15th century in India. According to him, Hatha yoga meant an introductory stage of physical purification that the human body practices for meditation. This is the reason why Hindu yogis practised asanas and pranayama to guide their bodies for long hours of meditation. This practice was and still is termed as shatkarma.

Swara Yoga-

Swara yoga is responsible for getting in tune with the lunar and planter cycles. It is a form of Yoga that describes the relationship of breath with the sun, moon and the five elements that help us change our mood. Each nostril functions independently in Swara yoga, and it has an impact on the body chemistry. The right nostril is connected with Pingala Nadi (subtle nerves) and is responsible for increasing the acidic secretions. The left nostril is associated with the Ida Nadi (Subtle nerves) and increases the alkaline secretion. Both the nostrils are connected with the opposite sides of the cerebral hemisphere as well as the olfactory lobe. The nose connects directly with the hypothalamus by its link with the olfactory lobe of the brain.

Jnana Yoga-

The word jnana is derived from a Sanskrit word that implies the meaning of knowledge. Jnana yoga is basically a meditation that enhances the power of concentration. Jnana yoga focuses on three points — Viveka, Neti-Neti and Vicara. The primary objective of Viveka is the path to self-realization.

Kriya Yoga-

Kriya Yoga is a popular form of Indian yogic practice. It is a type of meditation that helps to generate the spiritual feeling within a performer. Although many expert yog gurus refer to kriya yoga in ancient Indian scriptures, it was revived by Mahavatar Babaji Maharaj.

Karma Yoga-

Karma yoga can be explained as a discipline of action. According to the Bhagavad Gita and Purana, karma yoga transforms a man towards perfectionism in his action. In other words, karma yoga is excellent for enhancing self-confidence and self-control.

Bhakti Yoga-

Bhakti yoga is a type of meditation, and chanting the name of the divine spirit is the medium of this Yoga. It is a comprehensive meditation pose with manifold benefits. This type of Yoga is meant to develop the devotion or Bhakti to worship God through yogic postures.

Manta Yoga-

Mantra yoga requires us to be acutely concentrated and a perfectionist. Mantra yoga is a little more intricate when compared to other yogic postures, as we have to remember the mantra or the words of mediation properly. This is so as without chanting the right words; we might fail to achieve the true ambition of our meditation. However, practising the same over time makes us remember the mantra properly without fail. Read More about Mantra Yoga.

Yoga for a healthy life is thus necessary. However, although many have shown interest in learning yoga and improving their lifestyle, due to work stress and many other reasons they fail to join such yoga classes. For such people, there is an alternative solution. Online yoga classes are helping in many ways. As these classes are conducted online, none needs to physically arrive or visit the institution. This saves time and the trainee does not have to take the stress of going out. Such online yoga classes are also budget-friendly and thus most people are taking interest in joining those.