| Yoga is generally understood as a process of | | | | body, mind, and pranic channels are fully purified. There |
| unification. This unification is multifaceted. In one | | | | are countless tales of individuals who released kundalini |
| dimension, it is a unification of the various systems that | | | | yoga prematurely and found themselves in a |
| exist within the human being including the emotional, | | | | disoriented and neurotic state. There are many books |
| physical, mental, and spiritual systems. In total there are | | | | published on kundalini yoga and those who have |
| believed to be five different systems within human life. | | | | experienced kundalini energy always advise to have a |
| These are typically referred to as the koshas which | | | | highly knowledgeable and observant teacher to guide |
| are the physical, energetic, mental, subtle, and bliss | | | | a practitioner through the system of kundalini yoga. |
| sheaths. In our current understanding of yoga, we are | | | | Hatha Yoga The word hatha has several meanings. |
| working to unify these five bodies or layers of the | | | | Typically it is divided up into two individual words, ha |
| human being. Another process of unification occurs | | | | and tha. The meaning of these words can be |
| between of the individual consciousness and the | | | | interpreted as the sun and the moon. It can also be |
| universal consciousness. | | | | said that these two words are Beeja Mantras or |
| This unification is often referred to as Samadhi and is | | | | primordial sounds that are responsible for composing |
| one of the primary transformations that occur within | | | | matter. At the same time, ha represents the pranic |
| the practice of yoga. Observing this from a different | | | | body while tha is that of the mental body. Whichever |
| angle, Samadhi is a transformation of perception in | | | | interpretation one chooses to believe or follow, an |
| which disillusionments about the world are reformed so | | | | essential component of hatha yoga is a balancing of |
| that the truth behind reality can be seen in its purest of | | | | the polarities of energy within the body (ida and |
| form. Yoga, as a system, has developed into various | | | | pingala) as well as a purification of the mind and the |
| branches through which people pursue the evolution | | | | body. |
| and unification of the elements within their being. Each | | | | Most people, in a modern context, consider hatha yoga |
| branch retains its own unique set of ideas and | | | | to be a practice of the physical body. While this is not |
| philosophies which defined the process and eventual | | | | incorrect, hatha yoga includes many more philosophies |
| obtainment of complete unification. | | | | and techniques that address more subtle aspects of |
| There is no right or wrong system of yoga as the | | | | the human system. One of the essential components |
| each possesses their own distinct characteristics that | | | | of hatha yoga is the element of purification. In hatha |
| accommodate the needs of various characteristics | | | | yoga purification occurs within the many aspects of |
| and personalities that exist among human beings. Each | | | | the human being; there is a purification of the physical, |
| system is designed to accommodate a different | | | | mental, and energetic, and emotional bodies. It is |
| personality type, and yoga has developed into a broad | | | | believed that once all of the bodies are purified than |
| reaching system that can be practiced by nearly | | | | spiritual advancement towards self liberation can occur. |
| anyone who is interested in pursuing a spiritual life. A | | | | Unlike Raja yoga, which we will discuss later, hatha |
| practice like Jnana yoga is ideal for someone who is | | | | yoga does not outline a prerequisite of moral values |
| philosophically minded whereas the practice of bhakti | | | | before conducting the techniques of yoga. Rather, |
| yoga is good for someone who is emotionally | | | | hatha yoga begins with the yoga postures or asanas |
| perceptive and inclined towards a sense of devotion. In | | | | and the energetic purification techniques of |
| this article we will be reviewing the more mainstream | | | | pranayama. Once a considerable understanding of |
| practices of yoga which are derived from the tradition | | | | these two practices is attained, more advanced |
| of yogic spirituality. These traditions of yoga are as | | | | techniques including Shatkarmas (body cleansing), |
| young as 500 years and as old as several thousand. | | | | Pranayamas (nadhi cleansing), Mudras (energy |
| While there are many modern practices of yoga | | | | channeling), Bundhas (energy locks), and other |
| which have been defined by various teachers, the | | | | techniques which lead towards Samadhi |
| systems we will be discussing are traditional systems | | | | (self-realization) can be practiced. |
| which have been in existence throughout many | | | | Similar to most practices of yoga, hatha yoga |
| generations. | | | | maintains the belief that techniques such as meditation |
| Bhakti Yoga The first system we will discuss it is | | | | and concentration should only be practiced after the |
| Bhakti yoga. Bhakti yoga is a practice in which the | | | | body and the mind having purified. Without such |
| spiritual practitioner focuses on developing a state of | | | | preparation it is useless to practice meditation as no |
| devotion within the mind and the heart. In bhakti yoga a | | | | benefit will be received from the practice. Hatha yoga |
| strong sense of faith is needed as one is expected to | | | | originated from a number of texts all of which were |
| submit themselves to God through a process of self | | | | written between 500-1500 A.D. In comparison to the |
| surrendering. The practices and techniques of bhakti | | | | other forms of yoga we are discussing, hatha yoga is |
| yoga are therefore designed to help surrendered the | | | | the youngest of them all with its major text the Hatha |
| ego and embrace with love the thought of the creator. | | | | Yoga Pradipika being finalized in the 16th century. |
| The more common practices of bhakti yoga are kirtan | | | | Hatha yoga could be considered to be a preliminary |
| (chanting/song), japa (mantra repetition), and meditation | | | | practice to more advanced systems of yoga, |
| on the divine. | | | | however it possesses within itself the capability to lead |
| Usually the practice of bhakti yoga is advised to be | | | | towards spiritual liberation. A more modest system of |
| practiced by those who are well connected to their | | | | yoga, hatha yoga can be practiced by most people |
| emotions and also receptive of more subtle feelings | | | | and does not require a well established mind and body |
| within themselves and others. Emphatic love defines | | | | to begin the practice. Therefore, it is a practice used |
| the practice of bhakti yoga as the practitioner devotes | | | | by many who wish to use yoga as an aid towards |
| their whole being towards the spiritual divine. A belief in | | | | spiritual freedom. |
| God or a higher being is vital to the practice, and | | | | Raja Yoga Raja yoga is considered the Royal path |
| without it, it is near to impossible to practice bhakti | | | | and is literally translated as royal union from Sanskrit. |
| yoga. The devotion that is practiced by the bhakti Yogi | | | | The system of Raja yoga is derived from the |
| is not one of slavery towards the divine. Rather, it is a | | | | teachings of Patanjali in the Yoga Sutras which were |
| relationship that is filled with love, friendship, and | | | | written between 100 and 300 A.D. Some may also |
| companionship. In bhakti yoga people view God as a | | | | refer to this system of yoga has Ashtanga Yoga, |
| friend, a lover, a father, or mother. It is through this | | | | however Raja yoga has been the traditional |
| relationship that bhakti yoga is practiced. There are | | | | terminology used for the practice of yoga guided by |
| many aspects of devotion for the bhakti yogi; there | | | | Ptanjali's Yoga Sutras and some distinctions separate |
| are many forms of God that are worshiped in yoga | | | | the two from one another. Here, we are primarily |
| including Shiva, Vishnu, Brahman, Parvatti, etc. Aside | | | | concerned with the traditional system of Raja yoga |
| from the metaphysical forms of God, a guru or | | | | which has been practiced in India since the origins of |
| teacher can also be worshiped within the practice. The | | | | the Sutras. Raja yoga is a path of intuition and also |
| primary purpose of this practice is to help in | | | | psychic perception. Therefore these two facilities are |
| relinquishing the ego and unifying the individual being | | | | needed in order for spiritual growth to occur. Some |
| with the universal. | | | | spiritual masters like Swami Tureyananda believe that |
| Karma Yoga Karma is an aspect of human life that is | | | | Raja yoga is practiced after one has obtained |
| responsible for our thoughts, feelings, and actions. It is | | | | substantial transformation through preliminary practices |
| believed in yoga that Karma keeps the cycle of rebirth | | | | of yoga. |
| in motion as past actions and events force us to take | | | | Even still some other teachers believe that the |
| another life in the world to balance out the inequalities | | | | practice of Raja yoga is commenced after preliminary |
| that we have imposed within our spirit and the | | | | states of Samadhi are experienced. Therefore, Raja |
| universe. Once accumulated Karmic merit is balanced | | | | yoga is not a practice for the vast majority of people. |
| or destroyed then cycle of birth and death is stopped | | | | In the yoga sutras, Patanjali lightly outlines the |
| and the spirit is return to its origins within the universal | | | | prerequisites for the more advanced techniques of |
| divine. The practice of Karma yoga directly addresses | | | | yoga. The vast majority of the yoga sutras are |
| this primary aspect of life, works to abolish the effects | | | | devoted to understanding and controlling the mind |
| of Karma with disciplined action that formulates a | | | | including its four components of Chitta, Buddhi, Manas |
| separation between the individual and the effects of | | | | and Ahamkara. Considerable attention is given to how |
| Karma. This separation occurs through a process of | | | | the mind works and operates as well as the various |
| disassociation in which the individual separates | | | | levels and dimensions that exist within the mind. The |
| themselves from the benefits or losses from their | | | | remainder of the text discusses the stages through |
| actions within the world. | | | | which one experience along the path towards |
| The practice of Karma yoga is typically based around | | | | self-realization, and attention is given to all the various |
| one's Dharma or duties within the world. Dharma is | | | | pitfalls that can arise along the way. The system of |
| determined by the actions of the individual in the past, | | | | Raja yoga is generally outlined in defined within the "8 |
| including both the past of the current life as well as the | | | | limbed path." These limbs include: |
| past of previous lives. In some respects, Dharma is the | | | | - Yama- code of conduct and self restraint |
| most effective way for an individual to use their time | | | | - Niyama- religious observances, devotion to ones |
| on earth for spiritual progress as it is based upon the | | | | practice, and discipline |
| realistic capacities and potential of the individual. One of | | | | - Asana- formation of a stable seat for both the mind |
| the main components of Dharma is acting in the world | | | | and the body |
| without thought of the benefits or losses of one's | | | | - Pranayama- regulation of breath which leads to a |
| actions. The practitioner lives and acts within the world | | | | unification and balance between the body and the |
| without any expectations or imposed impressions of | | | | mind |
| how the future should unfold. The mind is focused on | | | | - Pratyahara- withdrawal of the sensory organs of |
| selfless service and working for the benefit of the | | | | perception from the external environment including all |
| greater good as opposed to the independent needs of | | | | five senses (six if you include the mind) |
| the individual. In Karma yoga the practice is gradual as | | | | - Dharana- concentration |
| the individual slowly relinquishes the bonds of karma | | | | - Dhyana- meditation |
| and liberates the spirit from the confines of egocentric | | | | - Samadhi- self realization, or a super conscious state |
| thought processes. | | | | of being. |
| Although a Karma yogi may practice techniques such | | | | Together these eight limbs form the practice and |
| as the asanas, breathing practices, and meditations, the | | | | systematic approach of Raja Yoga. Like kundalini |
| primary focus of their spiritual practice is service and | | | | yoga, Raja yoga requires a significant amount of |
| actions with the focus of selflessness and humbleness. | | | | guidance and direction without which many problems |
| The first mention of Karma yoga is within the | | | | and ultimate failure will arise. It is therefore essential |
| Bhagavad-Gita in a dialogue between Arjuna and | | | | that one who is interested in practicing Raja yoga finds |
| Krishna. In this dialogue, Krishna informs Arjuna that he | | | | a teacher or guru who has perfected the system and |
| can merge his consciousness with Krishna's when he | | | | has achieved a true state of self-realization. |
| surrenders his actions to the divine (which in this case | | | | Jnana Yoga The practice of Jana yoga is easily |
| is Krishna). Krishna encourages Arjuna to act and | | | | understood within the two words 'Jana' and 'Yoga' |
| follow out his duty without worry or consideration of | | | | which together mean 'Union through Wisdom.' the |
| the benefits or losses of his actions. He informs Arjuna | | | | practice of Jana yoga is a very practical system for |
| that acting in the name of Krishna (or divine) will | | | | the Western mind which usually approaches things |
| provide him with the liberation that he has set forth to | | | | through the intellect and rational deduction. While |
| achieve. | | | | ultimately these two aspects are abandoned later in |
| Kundalini Yoga Kundalini yoga is a practice of yoga | | | | the path, Jana yoga begins with intellectual inquiry and |
| which originated from the practice of tantra yoga. | | | | rational observation. While Jana yoga encourages a |
| Historically speaking, tantra yoga is believed to be one | | | | belief in God or the supreme, it does not necessitate |
| of the oldest forms of spirituality which is still in practice | | | | the belief and therefore it can even be used by those |
| today. One of the key components of tantra yoga is | | | | who are rational atheists. The techniques used in Jana |
| the incorporation of kundalini which is considered to be | | | | yoga are primarily concerned with a process of |
| the primordial force existence within each human being. | | | | deduction in which one observes all aspects of life. |
| The practice of Kundalini yoga was formed to control | | | | A process of self inquiry and questioning is undertaken |
| and harness the potential of the kundalini energy within | | | | as the practitioner gradually removes the illusions and |
| the body. Unlike the other systems of yoga, kundalini | | | | misperceptions of the mind as they work towards the |
| yoga can be a highly unstable practice of yoga as the | | | | truth of their most basic nature. The practice of Jana |
| release of kundalini energy can lead to extreme | | | | yoga can be understood within the simple Sanskrit |
| psychological and physical disorders if not controlled in | | | | phrase "Neti, Neti," which is openly translated as not |
| the proper manner. | | | | this, not that. In Jana yoga one removes the various |
| Therefore, the practice of kundalini yoga is a highly | | | | layers of the onion of their mind until they reached the |
| advanced system which is usually only practiced by | | | | core which is no-thingness or unmanifested. Jana yoga |
| those who are well advanced in the practices of | | | | has four major guidelines which helped to lead to the |
| spirituality. One of the primary prerequisites of kundalini | | | | practitioner towards self-realization. As Jana yoga is |
| yoga is a strong mind and a healthy body without | | | | primarily a system of inquiry, it does not require |
| which the release of kundalini energy can be damaging | | | | techniques such as pranayama and asanas in order to |
| or even fatal. Even a specific term in psychology | | | | achieve self-realization. The four guidelines of the Jana |
| known as kundalini syndrome has been developed for | | | | Yogi include: Viveka- Discrimination (between truth and |
| those who have gone into dementia because of the | | | | not truth); Vairagya- Dispassion (from attachment |
| improper release of kundalini energy. In kundalini yoga | | | | world and the mind/body); Shad-sampat- Six Virtues |
| the techniques presented are designed to help | | | | (tranquility, dama (sensory control), uparati |
| awaken the kundalini energy. Aside from its definition | | | | (renunciation), titiksha (endurance), shraddha (faith), and |
| as the primordial energy, kundalini is also known as the | | | | samadhana (concentration)); and Mumukshutva- longing |
| serpent energy. Prior to its awakening, the kundalini | | | | for liberation. |
| energy rests at the base of the spine in the form of a | | | | Conclusion If you have read this article for the sake of |
| spiraled coil similar to that of a serpent. When released, | | | | finding a system of yoga to help you grow spiritually, it |
| the kundalini energy shoots up through the spine, | | | | would be advisable to do further research into the |
| making its way towards the crown of the head. | | | | systems that seem compatible to your needs and |
| Depending upon the purification of the energy channels | | | | character. Not every individual is practicing yoga for |
| along the spinal column known as chakras, the kundalini | | | | the sake of self-realization. Each system of yoga |
| will either reach its final destination and the head or will | | | | provides its own unique benefits that evolve from the |
| be stuck within one of the chakras. Usually kundalini | | | | practice and therefore can be practiced without the |
| yoga starts by purifying all the chakras. This purification | | | | intention of achieving self-realization. While the ultimate |
| helps to maintain a balance flow of prana within the | | | | goal of yoga is liberation, there are many benefits of |
| body. It is believed that a balance flow of prana within | | | | the practice that naturally occur as the body, mind, and |
| the body leads to a sound state of mind and body. | | | | energy within the human being are purified. As |
| Once the body, mind, and pranic channels are purified, | | | | mentioned previously, if you decide to take up the |
| the practitioner of kundalini yoga works to release the | | | | practice of Raja yoga or kundalini yoga it is best to |
| kundalini energy. The purification process an essential | | | | seek an experienced guide before commencing the |
| quality of the practice as it helps to ensure a smooth | | | | practice. However, ultimately, every system of yoga |
| flow of kundalini energy through the chakra system. | | | | requires a guru or adept practitioner who can direct |
| For both the purification of the chakras as well as the | | | | the student through a specific system of yoga. |
| release of kundalini energy a wide variety of | | | | Each style that we have mentioned above is unique |
| techniques are implemented. These include yoga | | | | and there is no right or wrong one, or one that is better |
| asanas (postures), pranayamas (breathing practices), | | | | than the other. In actuality, there are thousands of |
| meditations, and mudra (gestures) specifically designed | | | | different styles of yoga, yet the ones we have |
| to help regulate the pranic energy and awaken | | | | mentioned are the primary branches for the practical |
| kundalini. Unlike some of the other systems of yoga, | | | | side of yoga. When choosing a practice, select one |
| kundalini yoga should never be practiced through self | | | | that seems to possess characteristics that are in |
| training. It is vital that one who is interested in practicing | | | | harmony with your personality and individuality. Starting |
| kundalini yoga finds an adept practitioner and teacher | | | | from there will give you a good relationship to your |
| of this system of yoga to guide them through the | | | | practice and make it easier to gradually introduce it into |
| process. Without such guidance, it is likely that severe | | | | your life on a daily basis. A consistent practice |
| physical and mental disorders will arise as kundalini | | | | provides the greatest opportunity for self-growth and |
| energy is a highly potent element within the human | | | | transformation. |
| body that is not meant to be tempered with unless the | | | | |