Yoga, in ancient times, was often referred to in terms of a tree with roots, trunk, branches, blossoms and fruits. Each branch of yoga has unique characteristics and represents a specific approach to life. The six branches are:3
Hatha yoga - physical and mental branch - involves asana and pranayama practice - preparing the body and mind
Raja yoga - meditation and strict adherence to the "eight limbs of yoga"
Karma yoga - path of service to consciously create a future free from negativity and selfishness caused by our actions
Bhakti yoga - path of devotion - a positive way to channel emotions and cultivate acceptance and tolerance
Jnana yoga - wisdom, the path of the scholar and intellect through study
Tantra yoga - pathway of ritual, ceremony or consummation of a relationship.
The 'eight limbs of yoga'
Raja yoga is traditionally referred to as ashtanga (eight-limbed) yoga, because there are eight aspects to the path to which one must attend. The eight limbs of ashtanga yoga are:4
Yama - ethical standards and sense of integrity. The five yamas are: ahimsa (nonviolence), satya (truthfulness), asteya (non-stealing), brahmacharya (continence) and aparigraha (non-covetousness)
Niyama - self-discipline and spiritual observances, meditation practices, contemplative walks. The five niyamas are: saucha (cleanliness), samtosa (contentment), tapas (heat, spiritual austerities), svadhyaya (study of sacred scriptures and of one's self) and isvara pranidhana (surrender to God)
Asana - integration of mind and body through physical activity
Pranayama- regulation of breath leading to integration of mind and body
Pratyahara - withdrawal of the senses of perception, the external world and outside stimuli
Dharana - concentration, one-pointedness of mind
Dhyana - meditation or contemplation - an uninterrupted flow of concentration
Samadhi - the quiet state of blissful awareness.
Chakras
The word chakra means "spinning wheel." According to the yogic view, chakras are a convergence of energy, thoughts, feelings, and the physical body. They determine how we experience reality from our emotional reactions, our desires or aversions, our level of confidence or fear, and even the manifestation of physical symptoms.
When energy becomes blocked in a chakra, it is said to trigger physical, mental, or emotional imbalances that manifest in symptoms such as anxiety, lethargy, or poor digestion. The theory is to use asanas to free energy and stimulate an imbalanced chakra.
There are seven major chakras, each with their own associations:
man sitting with chakras
Chakras are said to determine how we experience reality from our emotional reactions, our desires or aversions, our level of confidence or fear, and even the manifestation of physical symptoms.
Sahasrara: the "thousand petaled" or "crown chakra" represents the state of pure consciousness. This chakra is located at the crown of the head and signified by the color white or violet. Sahasrara involves matters of inner wisdom and death of the body.
Ajna: the "command" or "third-eye chakra" represents a meeting point between two important energetic streams in the body. Ajna corresponds to the colors violet, indigo or deep blue, though it is traditionally described as white. This chakra is associated by practitioners with the pituitary gland, growth and development.
Vishuddha: the "especially pure" or "throat chakra" is symbolized by the color red or blue. This chakra is associated by practitioners with the home of speech and hearing, and the endocrine glands that control metabolism.
Anahata: the "unstruck" or "heart chakra" is related to the colors green or pink. Key issues involving Anahata involve complex emotions, compassion, tenderness, unconditional love, equilibrium, rejection and well-being.
Manipura: the "jewel city" or "navel chakra" is symbolized by the color yellow. This chakra is associated by practitioners with the digestive system, along with personal power, fear, anxiety, opinion formation and introversion.
Svadhishthana: "one's own base" or "pelvic chakra" is said by practitioners to represent the home of the reproductive organs, the genitourinary system and the adrenals.
Muladhara: the "root support" or "root chakra" is located at the base of the spine in the coccygeal region. It is said to hold our instinctual urges around food, sleep, sex, and survival. It is also the realm of our avoidance and fears.