The+path+of+Yoga

The path of Yoga

Don’t practice thinking about the reward. Just as you can’t meditate thinking about achieving Jivamukti because it defies the meditation itself; you can’t practice postures thinking only about reaching an specific form: doing paschimottanasana with the goal of full bending your body is only going to hurt you. Hatha Yoga is not the only path of Yoga. Neither is meditation. There is a path for each person to achieve the liberation. Yoga means union, and it can be reached through different ways: • Karma Yoga: it is related to good deeds. Most active people prefer this, as they feel useful this way. • Bhakti Yoga: it very devotional: chanting mantras and kirtan and praying, it doesn’t matter to which god. Sensible people like Bhakti Yoga because they can express their love this way. • Jnana Yoga: is way of reason, of study. Intellectuals and scholars always use this route, as they usually go for paths they feel they can prove. • Raja Yoga: is the way of meditation, of finding the liberation within your own soul. Hatha Yoga and self contemplation are usually put in this branch. No matter which path a yogi follows, they all lead to the same end: the Liberation, The Jivamukti, The Moksha.