What Is Yoga?

Yoga Means Union

Although many people think this term refers to union between body and mind or body, mind and spirit, the traditional acceptance is union between the Jivatman and Paramatman that is between one's individual consciousness and the Universal Consciousness. Therefore Yoga refers to a certain state of consciousness as well as to methods that help one reach that goal or state of union with the divine.

The 5 Points of Yoga

There are hundreds or more of such techniques and therefore as many different Yogas. In order to simplify and clarify the topic, Swami Vishnu-devananda summarized the vast science of Yoga into 5 principles of Yoga which are easy to understand and to include in one's daily life. These five points are: Proper Exercise; Proper Breathing; Proper Relaxation; Proper Die; and Positive Thinking & Meditation.

The Four Paths of Yoga

The various Yogic practices have been traditionally classified into the four Margas (paths).

These four paths are:

Jnana Yoga or Jnana Marga which is the Yoga of wisdom and develops the Intellect or will
Bhakti Yoga, the Yoga of devotion, opens the heart
Karma Yoga, the path of action of selfless service.
Raja Yoga, the royal or psychological which involves the mind. A branch of Raja Yoga which is Hatha Yoga which prepares the Yogi for the higher stages of Raja Yoga. Sivananda Yoga, the Yoga of Synthesis

Swami Sivananda recognised that every Yogi, or human being for that matter, possesses and identifies with each of these elements: Intellect, heart, body and mind. He therefore advocated everyone to practice certain techniques from each path. This came to be known as the Yoga of Synthesis. He also taught that in accordance with individual temperament and taste one can emphasize the practice of certain Yogas over others.

Further reading: The Complete Illustrated Book of Yoga by Swami Vishnu-devananda, Meditation and Mantras by the same author, Bliss Divine by Swami Sivananda.

http://www.sivananda.org/teachings/yoga.html