The form of yoga I teach is Hatha Yoga based on the Sivananda Yoga sequence. This includes Asanas (postures), Pranayama (breathwork), Pratyahara (internal focusing) and Kriyas (cleansing exercises).
Yoga is a 5000 year old practice. The word itself means union: this can be union of mind and body, for health and wellbeing, but for some, yoga results in union of our conditioned self with the universal consciousness.
Hatha Yoga is a general term for yoga relating to physical movement, this is the most commonly known form outside of India. Translated from Sanskrit, ha means sun, tha means moon, so Hatha Yoga means the union of the sun and moon, representing the male/female energies or concepts of self/other. Hatha Yoga is in fact a small part of Raja Yoga, one of four main branches of yoga, the others being Karma Yoga, Bhakti Yoga, and Jnana Yoga. These are all different approaches to the development of self-awareness, suited to differing personalities.
Karma Yoga is the path of selfless service, which can be interpreted as charitable work. The aim, however, is the development of an attitude of performing all actions for other beings. This reduces our selfishness, helping the realisation of unity in diversity.
Bhakti Yoga is the devotional approach to spiritual growth. This is the path of prayer and ritual; belief in, and a relationship with, God or Gods, is key in this form of Yoga.
Jnana Yoga is the practice of applying the intellect to enquire into the nature of life, the universe, and everything. A large part of Jnana Yoga is using the mind for self reflection, study of scripture and philosophy.
Jnana and Bhakti tend to balance each other since devotion can turn to fanaticism without understanding and the intellect can be a source of excessive pride without devotion.
Raja Yoga is the scientific approach to self knowledge. It is named Ashtanga Yoga, literally eight-limbed yoga. Briefly, the eight limbs are: