The Four Paths of Yoga

Raja Yoga

The different types of yoga practiced in the west are mostly based on/derived from Hatha Yoga, which is itself based on a path of yoga known as Raja Yoga.

Raja Yoga (the ‘royal’/classical yoga) is the science of physical and mental control. It prescribes the use of asana (proper exercise), pranayama (proper breathing), relaxation and meditation, as well as a range of other practices including the niyamas (the do’s), and yamas (the don’ts) to help the yoga practitioner achieve liberation.

Other Three Paths of Yoga

However, in the yogic tradition, there is more than one path to liberation.

The other ‘paths’ do not practice yoga in any way that we in the west would recognise as being yoga at all. However, it is said that all these paths ultimately lead to the same destination by appealing to different tendencies that individuals have to associate more strongly with either their body, mind, intellect or emotions (heart).

The other paths are:

Jnana Yoga – the yoga of knowledge or wisdom – which emphasises the use of the intellect, and undertaking scriptural study as the path to understand the self and dissolve the veil of ignorance that keeps us from union with the divine.

Bhakti Yoga – the yoga of devotion – focuses on prayer, worship and ritual where practitioners surrender themselves to the divine. Chanting or singing form a substantial part of Bhakti Yoga.

Karma Yoga – the yoga of action – where the yogi uses selfless service to purify the spirit and achieve liberation.

These paths are not necessarily exclusive, and the concept of karma yoga in particular can be integrated in to every yoga students practice.

Karma Yoga

The law of karma can be summed up as ‘you reap what you sow’ – in word, action and importantly in intent.

In the context of yoga, karma is accumulated over many lifetimes – and we are all said to have a certain load of karmic ‘baggage’ that we carry into this life. Part of the purpose of karma yoga is to help release past karmas and to minimise the accumulation of new negative karmas.

In practicing karma yoga motivation and attitude are fundamental factors. Your motivation must be pure and you must not be attached to the fruits (outcomes) of your action. You must do whatever is your duty and do it to the best of your ability, and offer up the results to the divine.

Non-attachment to the outcomes of your actions brings freedom from sorrow or fear. Without expectations of a certain outcome or reward the practice of karma yoga is said to be liberating.

Karma yoga can be practiced in everything that you do. It doesn’t necessarily require special acts of charity (although these are particularly beneficial!). It is simply a mindful approach to whatever you are doing: Doing the right thing, to the best of your ability, with the right motivation and attitude, and without attachment to the outcome!

“Our prime purpose in this life is to help others. And if you can’t help them, at least don’t hurt them.”
The Dalai Lama XIV