The Four Major Paths of Yoga

By ~Gurudevi Ma,Satguru Shri Mahashaktiananda

The Four Paths of Yoga

There are four major paths of Yoga - Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, Jnana Yoga and Raja Yoga. Each path involves specific disciplines and a unique approach to life. All of the paths lead ultimately to the same destination, which is union with Brahman; Absolute Reality; God/dess; I Am That I Am.

The lessons of the four paths of Yoga are combined and integrated in order for the student to attain balance and true wisdom. It is the four paths of Yoga that teach the basic elements of living life as a Yogi/Yogini, or human being. The four paths of Yoga teach and identify with each of these elements: physical, emotional, mental and spiritual. It is important to practice certain techniques from each path. This is known as the Yoga of Synthesis. This evolves for each student according to their own pace and individual expression. The practice of certain Yogas over others will vary at different stages of life. Maha-Shaktiananda Yoga (Grand) is to practice the teaching of all four major paths; taking on one of the Yogas as the main path and the others as complimentary to the main one to achieve quick progress. Karma Yoga ─ Physical Body / Blue / PowerThis is the path of action through the development of will power and removes mala or gross impurities of the mind. Karma Yoga develops the giving hand of generosity. This is the path of working hard to fulfill the dharma (path) according to God’s will with a sense of freedom and dedicating any work to God. Karma Yoga works out negative karma and produces good karma if done out of selfless action of charity through the love of the heart. Bhakti Yoga ─ Emotional Body / Pink / LoveThis is the path of pure devotion which destroys vikshepa (tossing of the mind) and develops the heart through the action of complete selfless love involving our relationships with others, and loving God in a personal way. The practice of Bhakti Yoga will change negative karmic records back into pure light energy; through the action of pure love and forgiveness. Jnana Yoga ─ Mental Body / Yellow / WisdomThis is the path of wisdom (pronounced Gyana) which is first achieved through discrimination (viveka) above the little self (ego). Through understanding, illumination brings deep levels of insight; such as can be found in the Bhagavad Gita and other spiritual scripture. The practice of Jnana Yoga removes the veil of ignorance (avarana) in order to develop better reasoning of the mind.

Raja Yoga ─ Spiritual Body / White / Self-RealizationThis is the path referred to as the Royal Highway to God. Raja means Royal, Lord or King. The practice of Raja Yoga will steady the mind and develops all aspects of being in a balanced and harmonious way. Raja Yoga is divided into three subdivisions known as: Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga, and Kundalini Yoga; which together bring the chitha vrithi (mental) into control for Self-realization. Each of these branches of Raja Yoga has the same eight limbs of Ashtanga developed by Patanjali. In the teachings of Patanjali's Sutras there is all of the various Yogic principles and instruction for soul progress on the path. The Sage Patanjali, in his 'Yoga Aphorisms', defines Yoga as the suspension of the modification of the thinking principle, which is not practicable without controlling the Prana (vital force in the breath), which is intimately connected with the mind. Shaktiananda Yoga Teachings

These teachings are The Royal Highway of Raja Yoga; including first Hatha Yoga, Mantra Yoga and Kundalini Yoga. The other Yogas of The Four Major Paths are also included in the teachings of Shaktiananda Yoga; practiced all together is known as Mahashaktiananda Yoga.

The Yogic practice of Hatha Yoga is based on the following formula:

1) Physical exercises (Asanas) of stretching and relaxation to increase circulation, strength and balance.

2) Concentration on controlled and rhythmical breathing exercises (Pranayama) to increase the vital force (Prana) and control (Ayana) in the body to purify the main channels (nadis)

2) Meditation (Pratyahara) is to withdraw the ten senses (Indriyas, Karmendriyas and Jnanendriyas) to experience the inner space of peace which leads to Samadhi, enlightenment and union with the One.

Modern physical exercises require more energy than Hatha Yogic exercises. Every violent movement burns up a lot of energy and more lactic acids are formed in the muscle fibers by such quick movements which is more tiresome to the muscles. The slow gentle movements of the joints during Hatha Yoga practice will not waste any energy. Deep breathing with mild retention during the practice allows for more oxygen absorption. Less lactic acid is produced and, as this is easily neutralized by the alkali, it avoids muscle fatigue. When twisting and other movements of various joints occur the blood vessels are pulled and stretched and blood is equally distributed to every part of the body. The stretched muscles and ligaments during the Yogic practice are immediately relaxed, carrying more energy to the muscle fibers. Energy flows into the relaxed muscles, just as water flows through an open vessel. Shaktiananda Yoga teachings involve learning Mantra Yoga through the practice of affirmations, mantras and chants. These are gradually introduced into the Hatha Yoga

practice for the purpose of the student’s spiritual growth through devotion to God; which is the practice of Bhakti Yoga. As the student progresses, Kundalini Yoga is taught as a means for the student to learn about the chakras, the subtle body and the three inner channels, grounding techniques for balancing the four lower bodies, and the channeling of the Shakti energies to rise up the spine. Shaktiananda Yoga also teaches the practice of Jnana Yoga through references to spiritual scripture and providing teaching for the expansion of the mental body.

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