Schools of Yoga

The term “yoga” has been applied to a variety of practices and methods, including Jain and Buddhist practices. In Hinduism these include Jnana Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Karma Yoga, Laya Yoga and Hatha Yoga.

The so-called Raja Yoga refers to Ashtanga Yoga, the eight limbs to be practiced to attain samadhi, as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali. The term raja yoga originally referred to the ultimate goal of yoga, which is usually samadhi, but was popularised by Vivekananda as the common name for Ashtanga Yoga.

In This Guide:

– What are Schools of Yoga?
– Hatha Yoga
– Ashtanga Yoga
– Bhakti Yoga
– Jnana Yoga
– Karma Yoga
– Frequently Asked Questions

Hinduism

Classical yoga

Yoga is considered as a philosophical school in Hinduism. Yoga, in this context, is one of the six āstika schools of Hinduism (those which accept the Vedas as source of knowledge).

Due to the influence of Vivekananda, the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali are nowadays considered as the foundational scripture of classical yoga, a status which is only acquired in the 20th century. Before the twentieth century, other works were considered as the most central works, such as the Bhagavad Gita and the Yoga Vasistha, while Tantric Yoga and Hatha Yoga prevailed over Ashtanga Yoga.

Major Schools of Yoga

Schools of Yoga are different paths of Yoga in India. Each school like Hatha, Ashtanga and Bhakti Yoga has its own way of practice. In this guide, we will learn about all major Schools of Yoga in simple language.

 

Ashtanga yoga

Swami Vivekananda equated raja yoga with the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali.
Yoga as described in the Yoga Sutras of Patanjali refers to Ashtanga yoga. The Yoga Sutras of Patanjali is considered as a central text of the Yoga school of Hindu philosophy, It is often called “Rāja yoga”, “yoga of the kings,” a term which originally referred to the ultimate, royal goal of yoga, which is usually samadhi, but was popularised by Vivekananda as the common name for Ashtanga Yoga.

 

Hatha yoga

A sculpture of Gorakshanath, a celebrated 11th century yogi of Nath tradition and a major proponent of Hatha yoga. Hatha yoga, also called hatha vidyā, is a kind of yoga focusing on physical and mental strength building exercises and postures described primarily in three texts of Hinduism:

• Hatha Yoga Pradipika, Svātmārāma (15th century)
• Shiva Samhita, author unknown (1500[57] or late 17th century)
• Gheranda Samhita by Gheranda (late 17th century)

 

Shaivism

In Shaivism, yoga is used to unite kundalini with Shiva.

Buddhism

16th century Buddhist artwork in Yoga posture.
Buddhist meditation encompasses a variety of meditation techniques that aim to develop mindfulness, concentration, supramundane powers, tranquility, and insight.

Core techniques have been preserved in ancient Buddhist texts and have proliferated and diversified through teacher-student transmissions. Buddhists pursue meditation as part of the path toward Enlightenment and Nirvana. The closest words for meditation in the classical languages of Buddhism are bhāvanā and jhāna/dhyāna.

Jainism

Jain meditation has been the central practice of spirituality in Jainism along with the Three Jewels.Meditation in Jainism aims at realizing the self, attain salvation, take the soul to complete freedom. It aims to reach and to remain in the pure state of soul which is believed to be pure conscious, beyond any attachment or aversion. The practitioner strives to be just a knower-seer (Gyata-Drashta). Jain meditation can be broadly categorized to the auspicious Dharmya Dhyana and Shukla Dhyana and inauspicious Artta and Raudra Dhyana.[citation needed]

Tantra

Samuel states that Tantrism is a contested concept. Tantra yoga may be described, according to Samuel, as practices in 9th to 10th century Buddhist and Hindu (Saiva, Shakti) texts, which included yogic practices with elaborate deity visualizations using geometrical arrays and drawings (mandala), fierce male and particularly female deities, transgressive life stage related rituals, extensive use of chakras and mantras, and sexual techniques, all aimed to help one’s health, long life and liberation.

 

To learn more about the history of Yoga, read this detailed guide on Wikipedia.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the main Schools of Yoga?
The main Schools of Yoga are Hatha Yoga, Ashtanga Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Karma Yoga. Each school follows a different path to reach the same goal.

Which School of Yoga is best for beginners?
Hatha Yoga is best for beginners because it focuses on simple poses, breathing and slow practice.

What is the oldest School of Yoga?
Hatha Yoga is considered one of the oldest Schools of Yoga in India.