The word 'Yoga' is very popular in contemporary Western culture. With that
popularity, however, comes many definitions of what Yoga truly is. Yoga is
generally understood to be a physical discipline involving particular postures
and breathing techniques. Traditionally, it is divided into the following 4
schools or disciplines:
BHAKTI YOGA (Devotion)
JNANA YOGA (Knowledge)
KARMA YOGA (Action)
RAJA YOGA (Royal Yoga)
Raja Yoga is further divided into 'Ashtanga Yoga', meaning Eight Limbs:
YAMA (Ethical Standards)
NIYAMA (Self-discipline)
ASANA (Postures)
PRANAYAMA (Breathing)
PRATYAHARA (Withdrawal of Senses)
DHARANA (Concentration)
DHYANA (Meditation)
SAMADHI (Enlightenment)
A balanced Yoga routine includes at least one posture/exercise from the following
categories: Warm-up Exercises (including Breathing Exercises), Standing Poses, Sitting Poses, Twists, Supine and Prone Poses, Inverted and Balance Poses, Backbends, & Finishing Poses (including Relaxation)
