Purna Yoga

An improvisation over the traditional Yoga systems of India, Purna Yoga or Integral Yoga is the art, wherein, people are taught to loving their own self by living from the heart. Just as the name suggests, ‘Purna’ which means ‘complete’, the Yoga aims at attaining a union of the body, mind and the spirit. It was thought that the traditional Yoga system revolved more around salvation and next life, rather than the present one. On the other hand, Integral Yoga lays more emphasis on the importance of Karma in our day-to-day lives.

Purna Yoga gives Yoga a positive and dynamic form. It suggests three levels of integration- the integration of the inner, the integration of the human psyche with its external environment and the integration of the psyche with its ultimate spiritual Ground. It not just brings optimism and positive energies to the body but also to the world at large. It is this united spirituality that proficiently combines self-transcendence with love, sympathy, and reverence for all living beings. It puts together the varied aspects of yoga, needed for transformation and healing.

Purna Yoga revolves around alignment-based asana, meditation and pranayama, along with nutrition and yogic living. According to the Integral Yoga the ultimate goal of life is complete self-integration. This self-integration involves other important elements like action, love, wisdom and peace. The yoga of love or devotion (Bhakti yoga) is perfectly right in affirming love as the fulfillment of life and as an essential ingredient of salvation. It is important to note that Purna Yoga does not separate love from wisdom and selfless action. Love in its spiritual essence is an attribute of wisdom.

Herein, the person realizes that the Divine is omnipresent, and that human beings have come from a common origin. The third stage of Purna Yoga comprises of a true recognition with the ‘Transcendental Divine’. It is thence that a person realizes that the Divine is not restricted within the being of a single individual and is neither within any other constituents of existence. The ultimate goal of a person is to reach the higher consciousness, known as the ‘Supramental Consciousness’ to attain liberation of the soul.

Mantra yoga is the chanting of mantras – words, phrases or syllables – in an attentive and thoughtful way, to attain certain goals. It is a form of meditation, in which one has to chant the mantra until he/she transcends his/her mind and emotions. In the process, the person discovers his/her super conscious. Studies suggest that the mantras possess unique healing potential, when they are chanted at a specific time. They are a tool to achieve stillness. The mantra should be discarded immediately after attaining the tranquility.

There are certain things to be considered, when following the path of Mantra Yoga. The first and foremost thing is the time, during which the mantras should be chanted. You should ensure that the mantra is recited only at the designated time. The second thing is correct pronunciation. Pronunciation is given immense priority, because not all the intended effect would come, if the mantras were not pronounced correctly. The third thing is the place, where they are recited. You should chant the mantras at a peaceful atmosphere, free of any external noises.

The mantra can be chanted in three ways. The first way is called ‘baikhari’, which can be chanted in a loud manner. This type of chanting is advantageous for removing unwanted thoughts from the mind, to make the meditation process easier. The second method of chanting is called ‘upanshu’, which involves the recitation of mantras in a very low voice, audible only to the practitioner. The third method is neither loud nor too low. It is called ‘manasik’, which involves the repetition of the mantra in mind. A subtle form of chanting mantras, the manasik method is used only by advanced practitioners.

Mantra Yoga is highly beneficial for improving the overall health and mental stability. It is a way to garner knowledge about the universe and find the unison of body, mind and soul within one’s self. Mantras help keep the individual away from the drudgery of everyday life, the material world and deviates the focus towards the essentials of life, which are nothing but a healthy body and a peaceful mind. By chanting the words in absolute concentration, you can control your wavering mind, thereby increasing your level of concentration.

Apart from giving you a peace of mind, Mantra Yoga helps you eliminate psychosomatic disorders. It helps banish nervous tension and sedimentary problems. The holistic path of Mantra Yoga helps you to get closely acquainted to your own self. Due to the increased stability of mind, you will lead a peaceful life, which is free of tensions, anxiety and stress. Mantra Yoga is the ultimate way to achieve peace and tranquility. It increases your feeling of security and boosts your self-confidence. It eliminates negative behavior as well. It is an ultimate cure for various addictions, because it purifies you from within.

Kundalini Yoga is an ancient form of Yoga, which creates a communication between the mind and the body by making use of a set of technique that involve the mind, senses and body. In Sanskrit, the word ‘kundalini’ literally means ‘something that is coiled’. The life force, lying dormant in the seven chakras in the body, is regarded as a coiled up serpent and Kundalini is the untapped energy (prana), ‘coiled’ at the base of the spine that can be drawn up through the body, by awakening each of the seven chakras.

Kundalini Yoga focuses on the practitioner’s psycho-spiritual growth and the body’s potential for maturation. The enlightenment of the seven chakras of the body occurs, when the untapped energy (Kundalini) reaches the Crown Chakra. The type of Yoga is often represented as a snake, coiled at the base of the spine. Hence, the role of spine and the endocrine system are given special consideration by this type of Yoga. Kundalini Yoga also pays special attention to the breath and the movement of the person performing it.

Kundalini Yoga consists of Asanas that are performed in conjunction with a specific breath, which intensifies the effects of the particular poses. The purpose of such a control of breath is to freed the energy in the lower part of the body and allow it to move freely, in the upward direction within the body. The sequences of Kundalini, known as kriyas, consist of repetitive movements, done by holding a pose, while breathing in a specific way. The entire thing is done in a rapid pace, so that the person gets the full benefit of Kundalini Yoga.

Apart from the kriyas, Kundalini Yoga also involves the performance of meditation as well as the chanting of mantras. Pranayams and mudras are also done, while performing the Kundalini Yoga. All these focus on a specific area of the body. Since all theses are included in it, Kundalini Yoga is considered physically intense. According to the Yoga gurus, the stretching exercises included in Kundalini Yoga are not merely gymnastic exercises. In fact, the bodily postures, expressive movements and utterances are beneficial for the health in a number of ways. Apart from increasing the breath control, it aids in improving the concentration of the practitioner.
Kundalini Yoga is sometimes referred to as ‘the yoga of awareness’. This is because the different methods of breath control, the chanting of mantras, mental focus and various types of Asanas (typically with cross-legged position, with the spine positioned straight) together awaken the Kundalini within the body. By doing Kundalini Yoga, the infinite potential energy in the body is raises, with stimulates the higher centers, thereby giving the practitioner the enhanced intuition and mental clarity.

Karma Yoga is the consecration of all the actions and their outcomes to the Almighty. Known as the Yoga of action, Karma Yoga purifies the heart, for the reception of the Divine Light and attainment of the knowledge of one’s own self. The ultimate aim of Karma Yoga is to provide selfless service to humanity, without any ego. People performing Karma Yoga serve the needy, without urging to bear fruit for all their actions. It is one of the most popular types of Yoga, which cannot be done without dedication, determination and altruism.

Karma takes the shape of Karma Yoga, when the practitioner acts as an instrument in the hands of the Almighty, as a participant in the cosmic activity of Nature and does the service without the expectation of fruits. The person then believes that he/she is only the instrument and that the Lord is working unselfishly, through him/her. He/she surrenders all the actions and their fruits to the Lord. He/she attains the knowledge of the Self. Ultimately, the person is released from the bonds of Karma.

A person aspiring to follow the divine path of Karma Yoga doesn’t have to possess materialistic wealth. All the person needs is a peaceful mind, body and a selfless attitude, to serve humanity. The person following the path of Karma Yoga, known as Karma Yogi, should be free from lust, greed, egoism and anger. His/her heart should be filled with the thought of serving the poor and the helpless people, selflessly. Even if the person has any traces of these ‘doshas’, he/she should try to eliminate them immediately. In addition, he/she should not desire for name, fame or money in return of the service.

A jealous person can never be a Karma Yogi. He/she should be humble, free from meanness, miserliness, harshness, hatred and jealousy. He/she should be a soft-spoken person and should never use any harsh words. The person, who expects respect and honor from others, cannot serve people selflessly. Moreover, a Karma Yogi should be fearless. He/she should be amiable and social. He/she should never differentiate people in terms of their caste, creed, color and gender. The Karma Yogi should have the feeling of love, compassion and mercy and should have perfect adaptability and tolerance.

Karma Yoga purifies the heart. It releases the Karma Yogi from the ties of the kindred and indulges him/her into activities of selfless social service. Bad qualities of egoism, jealously, superiority and hatred are completely removed from the mind of the person, when he/she follows the path of Karma Yoga. The person gets a broad outlook on life. He/she attains the knowledge of the Self and realizes the concept of ‘one in all’ and ‘all in one’.

Jnana Yoga is the Yoga of true knowledge, which incessantly strives to know and understand the difference between the real and unreal, the permanent and the temporary. The holistic path of Jnana Yoga was described as a straight, but steep course, by Sadananad in his Vedanta-Sara, a 15th century text. Jnana Yoga preaches that there are four means of salvation. According to Jnana Yoga, the person should be able to detach himself/herself from everything that is temporary, after following the holistic path. It also aims to attain tranquility, the control of the mind and the senses, endurance, faith and the ability for perfect concentration.

It is a popular belief that Jnana Yoga is based on the Hindu philosophy of nondualism. Contrary to the assumption, the holistic path of Yoga also finds its place in many branches of Buddhism, including Zen, Islamic Sufism and some branches of Christianity that follow the Gospel of Thomas. Jnana Yoga emphasizes on the use of mind to surpass or discern the mind. It aims to explore knowledge. There are the Eight Limbs of Yoga in Jnana Yoga. The person, who follows this holistic path, attains self-discipline, hears the truth and reflects upon it. There is an urge in the person to attain freedom from whatever is temporary.

The ‘liberation’ is attainted through knowledge, rather than following rituals and ceremonies. However, not everyone is knowledgeable. Knowledge is limited to the special few people, who are prepared for sound examination and clear judgment of the nature of consciousness. This knowledge is attained only if the person goes through conclusions of the seers by reading scriptures, accumulated through millions of years. The knowledge, thus accumulated, is examined by the individual in the light of his own intelligence and then comes to his own realization. After going through this rigorous process of Jnana Yoga, the person seeking the knowledge ultimately gains insight, the ability to discriminate what is true, and what is untrue.

The benefits of Jnana Yoga are manifold. The person, who follows this holistic path of Jnana Yoga, attains tranquility, which is the art of remaining calm even in the face of adversity. Self-control in one’s own self is attained by following Jnana Yoga. Another benefit of following this holistic path is cessation, or keeping one’s self abstained from the actions that are irrelevant to the maintenance of the body and the pursuit of inner-enlightenment. After a significant period, the person even attains endurance. He/she is remains unruffled by the play of the opposites in Nature, such as heat and cold, pleasure and pain, praise and censure. Apart from this, the person remains single-minded in all the situations. He/she also becomes able to increase his/her concentration power.

Introduced by Yogi Swatmarama in the 15th century in India, Hatha Yoga is one of the prominent types of Yoga. Hatha Yoga is the origin of many other styles of Yoga, including Power Yoga, Bikram Yoga, Kundalini Yoga and Ashtanga Yoga. The word ‘hatha’, derived from Sanskrit, means the combination of the opposites – ha (meaning Sun) and tha (meaning Moon). It unites the positive (Sun) and negative (Moon) currents in the system. It is mainly concentrated on the third (Asana) and fourth (Pranayams) in the Eight Limbs of Yoga. It aims to attain a balance between the body and mind, through the physical postures of Asanas, purification procedures (Shatkriyas), poses (Mudras), yogic breathing (Pranayams) and meditation. It also aims to pacify the mind through relaxation and meditation techniques.

During Hatha Yoga, Asanas are performed to improve the overall health. The regular practice of Asanas grants the practitioner with the improvement in his/her overall health. The postures make the body feel relaxed for long time after they are performed. The muscle flexibility and bone strength are improved, by performing Asanas. Apart from the physical postures, Pranayams also form an important part of Hatha Yoga. Yogis in the ancient times believed that the control to one’s mind could be unlocked by controlling one’s breath. Hence, the practice of Hatha Yoga can help you identify your hidden physical and mental strengths. Meditation is another part of Hatha Yoga, which rewards the practitioner with some non-physical benefits such as the increase in his/her concentration power.

By the regular practice of Hatha Yoga, one can ensure overall physical and mental health. The branch of Yoga helps the person to reduce the risk of various kinds of physical and mental ailments. The individual tends to feel more relaxed during stressful situations, after performing Hatha Yoga. Apart from toning the internal organs, the physical postures of Hatha Yoga help prevent diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and arthritis. Muscular-skeletal problems such as scoliosis can be prevented by doing Hatha Yoga. The physical postures also improve blood circulation, immune system and stimulate endocrine glands. On the other hand, Pranayams help prevent breathing problems like asthma and bronchitis.

Hatha yoga is beneficial for people of all ages. Children, adults and elderly people can enjoy the benefits of Hatha Yoga, alike. The Asanas and Pranayams are gentle, but highly effective forms of exercises. Patience, calmness and determination can help you garner the benefits of Hatha Yoga, effectively. It is the best bet to lead a life free of anxiety, stress and tension. If you are in search of inner-enlightenment, Hatha Yoga is the answer for you. The relaxation exercises will help in opening up the energy channels, thereby allowing the free flow of spiritual energy within you.

Bhakti Yoga, as the name suggests, is the spiritual practice of loving devotion or ‘Bhakti’ to the Almighty. It lays emphasis on the love and devotion of a devotee to the God. Highly religious though, Bhakti Yoga should be adopted by every human being, living in this world of infidelity and rage, because it helps one to develop a positive attitude towards life. An individual performing this Yoga concentrates on the existence of the Almighty. It develops the peace of mind of the person. With a peaceful mind, it becomes possible for the person to live contented. He/she expresses the emotion of compassion and love for the other creatures co-existing with him/her. Hence, Bhakti yoga is beneficial to lead a healthy and peaceful life.

There are no fixed ways to perform Bhakti Yoga. It varies from person to person. It involves anything that talks about God. Some may resort to religious books, religious movies that emphasize the power and existence of God. Others may simply chant the name of the Almighty and think about the God all through the day. Singing prayers is another way to practice this Yoga. Meditation also finds place in Bhakti Yoga. In order to surrender themselves to the God and thus develop a close relationship with Him, some people go on pilgrimage, which is another way to perform Bhakti yoga.

The beauty of Bhakti Yoga lies in its simplicity. There is no need to master any particular technique, which has made Bhakti yoga as one of the most appealing types of Yoga. While practicing this type of Yoga, the individual seems to do the things positively. Moreover, whatever an individual does, while practicing Bhakti Yoga, proves beneficial for him/her or the people around him/her, in the long run. When he/she resorts to Bhakti Yoga, the environment is charged with pure energy. Since, Bhakti Yoga has appealed to many people. It gives them the confidence that the Almighty will always be there to protect them, when they face any kind of adversity in life.

An important thing to consider, when a person is interested in following the path of Bhakti Yoga, is that he/she should be emotionally bonded with the object of the faith in the Almighty. In most of the cases, people suppress their emotions, which often reflect in the form of physical and mental ailments. Bhakti yoga is beneficial for them, who want to release their suppressed emotions. Moreover, Bhakti Yoga brings the purification of inner self. People practicing this type of Yoga are able to enhance the quality of their life. It banishes all the unpleasant emotions of hatred, lust, anger, greed and purifies the heart with the only thought of love and devotion to the God.